Operations Shift Supervisor

Stanford University; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University’s Energy Operations is seeking an experienced Operations Shift Supervisor to lead a multi‑shift 24/7 team responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Central Energy Facility, thermal systems, and electrical distribution across main campus and Redwood City.

You will supervise staff, review plans, coordinate health and safety programs, manage budgets, and ensure adherence to policies while fostering a strong safety culture and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Two years of facilities operations management experience.
• Experience writing operations procedures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operation of Central Energy Facility and associated systems.
• Schedule and direct staff, coordinate with contractors and vendors.
• Develop budgets and manage service contracts.
• Ensure compliance with safety programs and energy control procedures.
• Lead site safety initiatives and prepare permits and Job Safety Analyses (JSA).

Skills

Facilities operations management

Operations procedures writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field

Job description

Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE)

is the operational core of Stanford University’s physical campus. LBRE constructs and maintains the Stanford campus, where advancements across the academic spectrum are made possible. Our workisfoundeduponthe collectivevalueofdedication, innovation,expertise,teamwork, andcontinuousimprovement.Weare committed to serving the university’s academic mission, as well as preserving and enhancing Stanford’s 8,180 acres,and pride ourselves on supporting the teaching and research of the university as “Caretakers of a LEGACY.”

About Energy Operations

Energy Operations (EO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable operation and maintenance of Stanford University’s critical energy and utility infrastructure. The department supports the campus community by operating and maintaining central energy facilities, thermal systems, electrical distribution systems, utility networks, controls, metering, and related equipment serving the main campus, Stanford Redwood City, and other university facilities.

Energy Operations provides essential 24/7 services that support teaching, research, healthcare, residential life, and campus operations. Our work includes the generation and distribution of chilled water, low-temperature hot water, steam, and electrical power; maintenance of utility infrastructure and street lighting; and operation of sophisticated control, monitoring, and optimization systems.

Our team includes skilled operations professionals, maintenance mechanics, electricians, instrumentation and controls technicians, supervisors, apprentices, engineers, and administrative staff. Together, we are committed to operational excellence, environmental stewardship, continuous improvement, and a strong culture of safety. Energy Operations offers the opportunity to contribute directly to reliable campus services while supporting Stanford’s mission of education, research, and innovation.

Operations Shift Supervisor

The Operations Shift Supervisor leads the shift of Energy Operations in a multi-shift rotating 24/7 operations department, ensuring that organizational goals are met, operational excellence is achieved and maintained, and a healthy team culture is maintained that is consistent with Stanford University’s core values. The Shift Supervisor reports to the Associate Director Operations (ADO) of Energy Operations.

Specific Core Duties

• Operates and monitors equipment and systems from the Central Energy Facility Control Room.
• Supervises the shift operations, responsible for the safe, reliable, efficient operation of the CEF, Process Steam Plant and Thermal Energy Systems to the Main Campus Buildings. This includes a separate Central Energy Hub facility at the Stanford Redwood City Campus.
• Ensures Johnson Controls Open Blue Optimization and Aveva System Platform formerly known as Wonderware are operated per dispatch plan.
• Coordinates daily activities of assigned shift, including scheduling and assigning work to staff and directing and leading workers in completing assigned work; monitoring work and project activity progress, making necessary changes; completing performance evaluations of assigned staff; performing quality assurance checks, and coordinating health and safety programs and training.
• Tracks budget for area of responsibility, and provides time and workforce needs and estimates to higher level management based on cost analyses, ensuring work is completed according to stipulated price and agreement.
• Implements, interprets, and manages policies and procedures pertaining to operations and facilities management.
• Assists in the administration of and lead site safety initiatives and programs including Safe Work, Lock Out/Tag Out, safety lead, safety committee, behavior-based safety observations, energy control procedures and plant safety audits.
• Oversees preparation of work permits and Job Safety Analysis and has authority to issue them.
• Ensures procedures are reviewed and updated with ADO direction and oversight.
• Provides support to Energy System environmental compliance procedures as needed.
• Provides relief to other Shift Supervisors for vacancies as needed.

*Other duties as assigned.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Operations experience at a district energy system or power generation facility.
• Experience with writing operations procedures.

Core Duties

• Oversee the daily operation and management of assigned facilitiesand programs, including scheduling and assigning work to staff andcoordinating with staff, subcontractors, and/or vendors; coaching lowerlevel managerial staff; overseeing staffing and performance evaluationof assigned staff; contributing to department or division staffing needsforecast.

• Clarify and resolve problems spanning multiple areas or technicalfields and/or oversee or develop programs within assignedfacilities.

• Manage and/or develop budget for area of responsibility,including staffing, maintenance, contracts, etc.

• Manage ongoing service contracts as applicable.

• Participate in department/unit strategic management, includingmaking recommendations involving short-term planning for facility-typeprojects and for longer-range programs/projects; providing input intolong-range financial, budgeting, and programmatic planning anddevelopment; providing input into the development of policies andprocedures; interpret and manage policies and procedures for assignedarea.

• Oversee and/or monitor project activities; ensure integrationwith larger unit goals; coordinate with staff, subcontractors, and/orvendors.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or other appropriate technical area,or combination of technical education, training, and experience.

Minimum Experience

Two years of experience managing facilities operations andmaintenance staff in an environment with a variety of building types(administrative offices, classrooms, laboratories, residential &dining facilities, auditoriums, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of environmental and safety rules, regulations, andpolicies. Ability to conduct job site inspections to ensurecompliance.

• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively withothers.

• Demonstrated experience managing service contracts.

• Demonstrated experience developing and managing budgets.

• Demonstrated experience planning, developing, and implementingprograms.

• Ability to interpret planning specifications, documents, workingdrawings, and related reports.