Hydronics Systems Operations Manager

100 Miami University; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Miami University is seeking a Hydronics Systems Operations Manager to oversee the geothermal, chilled water, and heating hot water production and distribution across Oxford and regional campuses. You will manage personnel, budgets, and maintenance to ensure reliable utility service while serving as the technical authority for thermal systems.

The role requires leadership in maintenance scheduling, project coordination, and strategic energy management.

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 plus a minimum of eight (8) years of full-time experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system; OR A minimum of ten (10) years of full-time, verifiable experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system.
• Requires a valid driver's license and the ability to be a qualified driver under the Universities MVR policy.
• Preferred qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering with 5+ years of hydronic system experience, unionized staff management, and EPA 608 license.

Responsibilities

• System Operations & Maintenance: develop and document preventative and predictive maintenance for chillers, pumps, controls, and piping; monitor equipment for reliable operation; manage parts inventories.
• Supervision & Leadership: supervise hydronics technicians; oversee unit operations; manage annual operating and capital budgets for thermal utility systems.
• Emergency Response & System Integrity: provide 24/7 technical support during campus emergencies; schedule shutdowns and develop SOPs for production, storage, distribution, and recovery.
• Project Management & Design Review: review design/installation of thermal distribution equipment; coordinate with project managers on new service installations and shutdowns.
• Strategic Planning & Financial Management: drive energy-efficiency goals; set operating schedules; develop long-range plans for campus-wide thermal distribution services.
• Safety & Compliance: ensure PPE and safety procedures; coordinate safety training for staff.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Project management

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Related associate’s degree + 8 years experience

10+ years hydronics experience

Job description

Job Title Hydronics Systems Operations Manager

Department Energy Systems Worker Type Regular Pay Type Salary Position Salary Minimum 85,000 Position Salary Maximum 115,000 Salary will be commensurate with the level of the position, education, and experience. Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Benefit Eligible Yes Screening Date 2025-12-22

Job Description 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 is responsible for the management of involved personnel, annual budgets, and maintenance activities. The purpose of this position is to monitor both budget and operations to provide reliable and cost-effective utility service to the university community, serving as the university's primary technical authority for thermal utility systems.

Essential Duties

• System Operations & Maintenance: Is responsible for developing, implementing, and documenting preventative and predictive maintenance programs for chillers, pumps, process controls, and piping within the plant and throughout the distribution system. Provides continual automated monitoring of all equipment to ensure reliable operation. Purchases and maintains parts inventories.
• Supervision & Leadership: Provides direct supervision and technical leadership to university hydronics systems technicians. Oversees unit operations, sets priorities, reviews completed jobs, and manages the annual operating and capital improvement budgets for the thermal utility systems.
• Emergency Response & System Integrity: Provides expert technical support during any campus emergency and/or power failure event as needed on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week basis. Is responsible for scheduling routine equipment and system shutdowns and developing written standard operating procedures for production, storage, distribution, and emergency recovery situations.
• Project Management & Design Review: Reviews the design and installation of thermal distribution equipment and revenue metering in new construction and renovated buildings. Develops and maintains written standards for new equipment and installation requirements. Coordinates with project managers and regional campus staff on new service installations and utility shutdowns.
• Strategic Planning & Financial Management: Drives campus energy efficiency goals by predicting and monitoring fluctuating customer demands and electric utility pricing. Sets operating schedules for plant operations and thermal water storage to reduce energy consumption and control peak demand. Develops short- and long-term plans for campus-wide thermal distribution service to achieve cost savings while meeting future campus needs.
• Safety & Compliance: Monitors the use of personal protective equipment and procedures to ensure all maintenance and testing operations are conducted in a safe manner. Coordinates and documents 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 plus a minimum of eight (8) years of full-time experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system; (OR) A minimum of ten (10) years of full-time, verifiable experience managing, installing, maintaining, and/or operating a complex hydronic system.
• Requires a valid driver's license and the ability to be a qualified driver under the Universities MVR policy.

Preferred Qualifications

• — Bachelor’s degree in Engineering plus 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.
• An 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 purposes.
• Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally, at all levels within the organization and with third-party vendors. Must be able to lead a technical team and respond quickly and effectively during time-sensitive situations.
• Managerial Complexity: Must be able to successfully 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 are required.

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 (if applicable)

Required Application Documents Resume Special Instructions (if applicable) None Additional Information A criminal background check is required. All campuses are smoke- and tobacco-free campuses. This organization participates in E-Verify.

Remote Work For positions that are approved for remote work

Remote work is not a right, it is a work arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason, including the convenience of the University. Reasonable Accommodations Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [e-mail] or 513-529-3560. Questions and follow-ups regarding requests should also be directed here.

Miami University Values Statement

Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold and express disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility. For more information on Miami University’s mission and core values, please visit the Mission and Core Values webpage.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

Miami University, an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, encourages applications from protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Miami University prohibits harassment, discrimination and retaliation on the basis of age (40 years or older), color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin (ancestry), pregnancy, race, religion, sex/gender, status as a parent or foster parent, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, facilities, programs or employment practices. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities related to employment should be directed to [e-mail] or 513-529-3560.

Clery Act

As part of the University’s commitment to maintaining a healthy and safe living, learning, and working environment, we encourage you to read Miami University’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report at: http://www.MiamiOH.edu/campus-safety/annual-report/index.html, which contains information about campus safety, crime statistics, and our drug and alcohol abuse and prevention program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, and distribution of drugs and alcohol on campus and at university events and activities. This report also contains information on programs and policies designed to prevent and address sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. Each year, email notification of this website is made to all faculty, staff, and enrolled students. Written notification is also provided to prospective students and employees. Hard copies of the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report may be obtained from the Miami University Police Department at 513-529-2223.

Labor Law Posters for Applicants

Please visit our Labor Law Posters webpage to access all relevant and applicable labor law information.

Miami University is a major public university with a small college feel. Creating environments for learning excellence and providing career opportunities in Oxford, Hamilton, Middletown, West Chester and Luxembourg, our faculty, staff, and student employees are the fuel that drives Miami! We rank first nationally among public universities for best teaching by U.S. News & World Report. Our opportunities for growth and advancement are not limited to students in the classroom. Our faculty, staff, and student employees are highly valued for their contribution toward the Miami experience. Miami’s main campus is located in Oxford, Ohio, 35 miles north of Cincinnati. A true college town, Oxford features a wide variety of shops and restaurants within walking distance of the main campus. Our regional campuses are located in Hamilton, Middletown, and the Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester, Ohio. For faculty and staff, Miami offers a great work environment and competitive benefits. We invite you to experience Miami and see how you can support the University’s Mission.