MAJOR SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR-CHILLED WATER MAINTENANCE

University of Alabama at Birmingham; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 64,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alabama at Birmingham seeks a Major Systems Supervisor for Chilled Water Maintenance to lead maintenance, repair, and reliability of campus chilled water plants and associated electrical and control systems. The role provides technical leadership, 24/7 oversight, and coordination of outages and restorations.

You will supervise technicians, prioritize CMMS work, and drive root-cause analyses to improve reliability while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related field; four years' relevant experience, or an associate's degree with six years, or accredited program with seven years; work experience may substitute education.
• Experience with maintenance planning and supervisory responsibilities preferred.
• EPA Section 608 certification preferred; OSHA 30-hour or equivalent safety training preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise maintenance, repair, and reliability of chilled water plants and systems.
• Lead Chiller Mechanics, Central Plant Repairers, and Instrument & Control Technicians; assign work and mentor staff.
• Plan and manage maintenance via CMMS including work orders and reporting.
• Oversee troubleshooting, repair, and installation of production equipment and controls.
• Ensure compliance with EH&S standards and safety practices.

Skills

Chilled water systems knowledge

Electrical distribution & controls

Technical drawings interpretation

Analytical troubleshooting

EH&S & LOTO

CMMS/BAS proficiency

Leadership & communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology

Associate degree + 6 years experience

Accredited technical/vocational program + 7 years

Job description

Job Description - MAJOR SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR-CHILLED WATER MAINTENANCE (T238093)

MAJOR SYSTEMS SUPERVISOR-CHILLED WATER MAINTENANCE - ( T238093 )

Description

The primary accountabilities below are intended to describe the general content and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive statement of duties.

Job Summary

To supervise the maintenance, repair, and reliability of UAB's chilled water plants, equipment, and associated mechanical, electrical, and control systems to support safe and uninterrupted utility operations. To provide technical leadership, personnel management, and 24/7 maintenance oversight while directing preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshooting, equipment rebuilds, and system repairs.

To serve as the subject matter expert for chilled water maintenance by coordinating maintenance activities, supporting decentralized chilled water systems, and collaborating with operations to plan outages, repairs, and system restoration.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS TO INCLUDE:

• Leads preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance for chilled water plants, decentralized chillers and associated mechanical, electrical, and control systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations.
• Supervises Chiller Mechanics, Central Plant Repairers, and Instrument and Control Technicians by assigning work, managing schedules, evaluating performance, and providing training, mentoring, and technical leadership.
• Plans, prioritizes, and manages maintenance activities through the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), including work orders, inspections, labor coordination, documentation, and maintenance reporting.
• Oversees the troubleshooting, repair, rebuild, replacement, and installation of chilled water production equipment, electrical systems, instrumentation, controls, and related infrastructure supporting central and decentralized chilled water systems.
• Ensures compliance with applicable regulations, university policies, environmental requirements, and EH&S standards while enforcing safe work practices, including Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO), confined space entry, hot work, lifting, rigging, and contractor safety.
• Maintains maintenance records, equipment histories, refrigerant documentation, payroll inputs, procurement support, performance metrics, and resource planning to support effective maintenance operations.
• Coordinates maintenance activities with operations, campus departments, contractors, and project teams for planned outages, equipment replacements, commissioning, infrastructure upgrades, and system restoration.
• Evaluates equipment performance, maintenance practices, and emerging technologies while leading root cause analyses and continuous improvement initiatives to improve reliability and lifecycle performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Demonstrated knowledge of chilled water plants and equipment, including refrigeration systems, cooling towers, pumps, motors, piping, valves, heat exchangers, and associated mechanical systems.
• Working knowledge of electrical distribution, motor controls, instrumentation, direct digital controls (DDC), pneumatic controls, PLC-based systems, and the responsibilities of maintenance and instrumentation personnel supporting chilled water operations
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, wiring diagrams, control sequences, specifications, and manufacturer documentation to diagnose problems and support maintenance activities
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to evaluate equipment failures, lead root cause analyses, prioritize repair strategies, and make sound maintenance decisions under pressure
• Knowledge of EH&S requirements and safe work practices, including Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO), Confined Space Entry, emergency response procedures, and 5S principles
• Proficiency in CMMS, Building Automation Systems (BAS), maintenance software, Microsoft Office, and diagnostic and precision testing instruments used to support maintenance planning, documentation, and reporting
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to supervise personnel, coordinate maintenance activities across multiple stakeholders, manage competing priorities, and ensure quality, safety, and timely completion of work

Starting Annual Rate: $63,875 - $103,800 (Commensurate with experience and qualifications)

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field and four (4) years of relevant experience required; or an associate's degree in a related field and six (6) years of relevant experience; or completion of an accredited technical or vocational program in a related field and seven (7) years of relevant experience. Work experience may substitute for the education requirement.

Licenses/Certifications/Registrations:

Driving record should meet University underwriting guidelines to drive vehicles in performance of University business. Current underwriting guidelines include possession a valid driver’s license, issued in the United States; at least 21 years of age; at least three years of driving experience; maintain an acceptable Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

EPA Section 608 Technician Certification (Type II or Universal) preferred

OSHA 30-hour Certification or equivalent safety training preferred

PERSONAL:

• Possess the necessary physical requirements, with or without the aid of mechanical devices, to safely perform the duties and responsibilities of this position to include:
• Lifting and carrying a minimum of fifty (50) pounds.
• Perform tasks requiring climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crawling, kneeling, pulling and/or pushing, and extensive walking significant distances between and within buildings on campus.
• Working in the rain and in unfavorable weather conditions, hot, cold, wet, etc.
• Working in confined spaces
• Working within extreme temperature ranges

Incomplete job profiles will not be processed. Please be certain to showcase depth and breadth of experience, as it relates to the needs of this job announcement.

For more information about UAB Facilities, please visit: http://www.uab.edu/facilities/.

UAB is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity institution dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and veteran’s status. As required by Title IX, UAB prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to UAB’s Assistant Vice President and Senior Title IX Coordinator. The Title IX notice of nondiscrimination is located at uab.edu/titleix.

Primary Location

University

Job Category

Facilities

Organization

112802010 Chilled Water

Employee Status

Regular

Shift : Day/1st Shift

Work Arrangement (final schedule to be determined by the department/hiring manager) : Onsite