Lead Operating Engineer

American University; Washington; On-site; USD 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

American University in Washington, DC seeks a Lead Operating Engineer to supervise Operating Engineers and staff in the Energy Management unit. You will oversee inspection, operation, maintenance, and repair of campus utility systems, ensuring reliability and energy efficiency on campus.

This full-time, on-campus role requires coordinating shifts, training staff, and responding to after-hours requests while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience.
• Experience with high pressure steam boilers not to exceed 400 HP or related boiler/refrigeration equipment.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Team Lead; schedule work, set priorities, and direct staff.
• Operate and maintain campus thermal systems and related equipment; troubleshoot.
• Maintain records of inspections, operation, and repairs to build historical data.
• Perform facilities commissioning activities for new or upgraded systems.
• Complete training and maintain an Individual Development Plan.
• Support after-hours and weekend requests via the customer response center (2Fix).
• Prepare accident/incident reports and corrective action documentation.

Skills

Championing Customer Needs

Building and Supporting Teams

Evaluating and Implementing Ideas

Making Accurate Judgments and Decisons

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department

Operating Engineering 2

Time Type

Full time

Job Type

Regular

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Work Modality

Full On Campus Presence

Union

Excluded

Job Description

Summary:

The Lead Operating Engineer serves as Team Lead and oversees the work of Operating Engineers and other trade staff within the Energy Management unit performing the inspection, efficient operation, maintenance, and repair of campus utility systems and related plant equipment. Under the direction of the Assistant Chief Engineer, this position works independently with leeway to resolve facility issues and customer concerns, while ensuring adherence to quality standards and providing exceptional customer service.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Team Lead. Schedules work assignments, sets priorities, and directs the work of Operating Engineers and Assistant Operating Engineers. Identifies staff training needs and ensures training is obtained.
• Participates in the operation, maintenance (preventative and predictive), troubleshooting, and repair of campus thermal systems (including but not limited to steam, chilled water, and heating water), related plant equipment, water treatment systems (including but not limited to natatorium systems, boiler systems, and chiller systems) as well as maintenance and repair of domestic water & sewer campus distribution systems, and campus gas utility distribution systems to assure the fitness for use and reliability of our buildings, systems and equipment. Operates and maintains systems to meet department, reliability, and energy efficiency objectives along with regulatory compliance requirements.
• Maintains records pertaining to the inspection, operation, maintenance and repair of campus thermal systems, campus domestic water & sewer distribution systems, campus gas distribution systems, water treatment systems, and related plant equipment to build a database from which historical data can be used to maximize scheduling and repair of critical components of the heating and cooling systems. Makes recommendations to improve the efficiency and reliability of campus managed utility systems. Responsible for the proper storage and usage of tools and equipment used in the repair operations conducted by the position to have tools available and in proper operating condition when needed.
• Performs facilities commissioning activities (e.g., reviewing of new and upgraded mechanical equipment or systems) to ensure that operational, maintenance, repair, and energy efficiency impacts on the Central Plant Operations and Energy and Engineering units are minimized.
• Completes training and performance requirements to meet department goals as well as regulatory requirements. Maintains an IDP (Individual Development Plan). Ensures all items are documented in the LMS (Learning Management System).
• Supports the resolution of afterhours and weekend requests received though the customer response center line (2Fix).
• Prepares accident/incident reports and documentation for recommended corrective actions related to the Staff HR Policy manual.

Competencies

• Championing Customer Needs.
• Building and Supporting Teams.
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
• Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

Full-time.

40 hours per week.

Evening and weekend work is required.

This position will be required to work multiple shifts. Current shift schedules are (7AM to 3PM, 3PM to 11PM, 11PM to 7AM).

This is a relief position, 24/7 coverage. The incumbent will be required to work a second consecutive shift should their relief fail to arrive for the next shift.

The incumbent is required to work unscheduled shifts as needed.

The position will perform job duties in confined spaces and be exposed to extreme temperatures.

This is a physically demanding position which requires strenuous physical exertion such as frequent or constant lifting, pushing, and/or pulling of heavy objects to perform essential functions, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Salary Range

$43.00 - $48.00 per hour.

Required Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent.

3 - 5 years of relevant experience.

At least two (2) years' experience working in a plant having high pressure steam boilers not to exceed four hundred (400) horsepower or a combination of high pressure boilers and heating boilers or refrigeration equipment, not to exceed a total of four hundred (400) horsepower; a heating plant having low pressure steam boilers with a pump return and refrigeration equipment, with no limitation on total capacity; or a heating plant having hot water boilers and refrigeration equipment, with no limitation on total capacity.

At least one (1) year of