Hydronics Systems Operations Manager

100 Miami University; Oxford (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

100 Miami University seeks a Hydronics Systems Operations Manager responsible for operation, maintenance, and strategic planning of geothermal, chilled water, and heating hot water systems on campus. This role includes managing budgets, maintenance activities, and personnel to ensure reliable utility service.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree related to hydronic systems and at least five years of experience in management. Candidates must possess strong leadership and communication skills, and a valid driver's license is required.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years' management experience in hydronics systems.
• Ability to interpret complex piping and instrumentation diagrams.
• Strong communication skills with technical teams and vendors.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation and maintenance of thermal utility systems.
• Develop and document preventative maintenance programs.
• Coordinate emergency support and regular equipment shutdowns.

Skills

System Operations & Maintenance

Supervision & Leadership

Emergency Response & System Integrity

Project Management & Design Review

Strategic Planning & Financial Management

Safety & Compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Valid driver’s license

Tools

Computerized maintenance management software (CMMS)

Job description

Job Title

Hydronics Systems Operations Manager

Job Summary

This position is directly responsible for the operation, maintenance, and strategic planning of the geothermal, chilled water, and heating hot water production and distribution systems on the Oxford and regional campuses. The Hydronics Systems Operations Manager manages personnel, annual budgets, and maintenance activities, monitoring budget and operations to provide reliable and cost-effective utility service to the university community as the primary technical authority for thermal utility systems.

Essential Duties

• System Operations & Maintenance: Develop, implement, and document preventative and predictive maintenance programs for chillers, pumps, process controls, and piping within the plant and distribution system; provide automated monitoring of all equipment; purchase and maintain parts inventories.
• Supervision & Leadership: Directly supervise and provide technical leadership to hydronics systems technicians; oversee unit operations, set priorities, review completed jobs, and manage the annual operating and capital improvement budgets.
• Emergency Response & System Integrity: Provide expert technical support during campus emergencies or power failures on a 24‑hour, 7‑day basis; schedule routine equipment shutdowns and develop standard operating procedures for production, storage, distribution, and emergency recovery.
• Project Management & Design Review: Review the design and installation of thermal distribution equipment and revenue metering in new construction and renovated buildings; develop and maintain written standards for new equipment and installation requirements; coordinate with project managers and regional campus staff on new service installations and utility shutdowns.
• Strategic Planning & Financial Management: Drive campus energy‑efficiency goals by monitoring customer demands and utility pricing; set operating schedules for plant operations and thermal water storage to reduce energy consumption and control peak demand; develop short‑ and long‑term plans for campus‑wide thermal distribution service.
• Safety & Compliance: Monitor the use of personal protective equipment and procedures; coordinate and document safety training for key university employees to maintain high operational standards.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field plus a minimum of five (5) years of full‑time experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system; or related associate’s degree with a minimum of eight (8) years of full‑time experience; or a minimum of ten (10) years of full‑time, verifiable experience.

Requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to be a qualified driver under the University’s MVR policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with a minimum of five (5) years of full‑time experience programming, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system.
• Direct experience managing a complex hydronic system in a university, hospital, or similar large‑campus environment.
• Experience managing a unionized technical staff.
• EPA 608 Universal Refrigerant license.
• Professional certification such as Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Energy Management Professional (EMP), or Certified Energy Procurement Professional (CEP).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Specific Knowledge: Deep working knowledge of large‑scale thermal water production and distribution systems, including centrifugal chillers, cooling towers, pumps, heat exchangers, and geothermal well fields; strong understanding of water‑treatment principles for closed and open‑loop systems.
• Technical Understanding: Proven ability to read and interpret complex piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), mechanical drawings, and control schematics for planning and troubleshooting.
• Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, at all organizational levels and with third‑party vendors; able to lead a technical team and respond quickly during time‑sensitive situations.
• Managerial Complexity: Ability to handle a wide range of complex technical and managerial tasks with frequent independent interpretation and decision‑making; strong budgeting, administrative, and long‑range capital planning abilities.

Physical Requirements

Physical effort requires considerable walking and standing, with some lifting of materials weighing 25 to 50 pounds. Periodically, assignments may entail dealing with modestly unpleasant physical situations.

Computer Skills

Must be proficient in the use of business application software and experienced in the use of a computerized maintenance management software (CMMS).

Additional Position Information

• Criminal background check is required.
• All campuses are smoke‑and‑tobacco‑free.
• The organization participates in E‑Verify.

Equal Opportunity / Anti‑Discrimination Statement

Miami University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University prohibits harassment, discrimination, and retaliation on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application, admission, and employment practices. Reasonable accommodations for disabilities are available upon request.

Harassment and Violence Prevention

The University encourages review of its Annual Security & Fire Safety Report, which includes information on campus safety, crime statistics, and DNA, murder, .