Utilities Operations Power Plant Manager

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Closing Date:

10/26/2026

Type of Position:

• Facilities Management and Services
• Workstudy Position:

No

Job Type:

Regular

Work Shift:

• Shift Vary (United States of America)
• Sponsorship Available:

No

Institution Name:

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

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For general application assistance or if you have questions about a job posting, please contact Human Resources at 479.575.5351.

Department:

• Utility Operations
• Department's Website:

Summary of Job Duties:

The Utilities Operations Power Plant Manager provides leadership and overall management of the University of Arkansas central utility operations, including four utility plants, the Operations and Maintenance Divisions, and approximately 25 employees. The position is responsible for the safe, reliable, efficient, compliant, and cost-effective production and distribution of chilled water, steam, compressed air, and medium-voltage electrical utility services supporting the Fayetteville campus.

The Power Plant Manager directs plant operations and maintenance; personnel development and performance; preventive and predictive maintenance programs; regulatory and environmental compliance; workplace safety; emergency response and utility restoration; operating and capital budgets; procurement and contractor activities; equipment lifecycle and asset management; utility capacity and capital renewal planning; and continuous improvement of plant reliability and efficiency.

The position develops and implements operating procedures, maintenance strategies, performance standards, training programs, and contingency plans necessary to maintain continuous utility service to the University. The manager analyzes system performance and utility demand, identifies operational and capital improvements, coordinates planned and emergency outages, and participates in the planning, design, construction, commissioning, and turnover of utility infrastructure and equipment.

The Power Plant Manager develops and coaches plant operators, maintenance personnel, and supervisors; establishes clear performance and safety expectations; maintains required employee qualifications and training; and promotes a culture of safety, accountability, reliability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

The position works closely with Facilities Management leadership, campus departments, engineers, contractors, vendors, regulatory agencies, and utility providers to ensure campus utility needs are met safely and reliably. University operations depend upon continuous utility service, this position serves as a key member of the University’s utility emergency-response organization and is subject to call-back for utility emergencies, outages, severe weather, and other conditions requiring management oversight outside normal working hours.

Regular, reliable and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• •The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma
• •5 years equivalent experience in central utility plant, district energy system or manufacturing plant operations and maintenance to include troubleshooting and repair experience/capability with any or all of the following:
• •Integrated Utility Plant Operations
• •Industrial Chiller Maintenance
• •Industrial/Commercial Boiler Maintenance
• •Pump and Valve Mechanical Operation and Repair
• •Industrial Control Systems such as Niagara, Delta-V and Emerson

• •2 years Supervisory or Leadership experience
• •Valid Driver's License
• •Ability to obtain and maintain an Arkansas Boiler Operator License within 6 months.
• •Ability to obtain and maintain a Gas Operations License within 6 months.

Preferred Qualifications:

• •Bachelor’s Degree – Engineering or related field
• •4 Years Master Level HVAC, Outside Machinist or equivalent Experience
• •4 Years of supervisory experience
• •10 Years’ Experience with advanced troubleshooting and repair of Industrial Chillers, Boilers, Gas Turbines, Pumps, Valves, Drives and Diesel Generators
• •Experience with Natural Gas Pipeline OQ Tasks Training, Qualification and PM Performance
• •Experience with FAMIS (departmental software) or equivalent CMMS System
• •Experience with Korterra Utility Location Process and Performance
• •Experience with gas turbine operations and maintenance
• •Significant cross-trade technical versatility between Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Instrumentation, Control and Water Chemistry

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities :

• •Knowledge and practical application of the principles, practices, methods, and safety precautions in plant operations
• •Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and codes relating to plant operations
• •Knowledge and practical application of management and supervisory principles and techniques
• •Knowledge of the state budgetary process
• •Ability to read and interpret blueprints, manuals, schematics, building plans, and/or work drawings
• •Manage procurement process, materials ordering and inventory management
• •Ability to supervise skilled trades workers and/or supervisors
• •Ability to plan and coordinate all phases of service, repairs, installation, and/or construction projects in one or more of the skilled trades
• •Basic use and understanding of Microsoft Office products