Rochester, NY
RED-Rochester, LLC – Utility Systems (Steam / Electric / Chilled Water) Operations Manager Job Description
Job Title: Utility Systems Operations Manager (Steam/Electric/Chilled Water)
Reports To: Director of Technical Operations & Services, RED-Rochester, LLC
FLSA: Salaried Exempt
Pay Band: Exempt B
Summary: RED-Rochester’s (RED) Utility Systems Operations Manager (“Ops Manager”) is a member of RED’s senior leadership team reporting directly to the Director of Technical Operations & Services. The Ops Manager is responsible for all operational aspects of RED’s Steam, Electric and Chilled Water / Refrigeration1 generation and distribution systems
(collectively, “the Utility Systems”) consisting of 120 MW electricity generation, 1.45M lbs/hr of steam, 36,000 tons of chilled water, and 9 miles of distribution piping serving the Eastman Business Park which covers 5 square miles and serves approximately 114 different customers. RED’s primary goals of safety and reliability, closely followed by plant efficiency. The Ops Manager technical skills and communication ability with customers, management and operators is critically important in achieving these goals. The Ops Manager plans, organizes, and directs all the activities of the utility systems operations team which requires a close working relationship with RED’s maintenance staff and environmental / health / safety (EHS) staff. The Ops Manager prepares annual budget forecasts, enforces spending discipline and provides strategic guidance for capital improvement projects. The Ops Manager must establish and maintain strong relationships with our customers to understand their utility service needs, the impact of their loads on RED’s operations and to facilitate effective communications when systems safety and reliability is at issue.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
► Delivers (#1) highly reliable energy services, (#2) cost effectively to customers and the business.
► Participates as a member of RED’s leadership team.
► Develops and implements the Plant’s KPIs, policies and procedures.
► Strong knowledge of all State and Federal rules and regulations governing the Utility Systems
operations to include but not limited Title V Air Permit and Department of Health compliance regulations.
► Manage all Utility Systems Ops personnel including training, scheduling, assigning, and reviewing work, conducting performance evaluations, and taking disciplinary personnel actions if necessary.
► Maintains a disciplined work environment necessary for safe and reliable operation of the department.
► Prepares the Plant budget; assists in budget implementation; participates in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; administers approved budget.
► Works closely with RED EHS Department to ensure the highest levels of health, safety and regulatory compliance. Ensures that all site safety requirements and procedures are properly implemented, consistently observed and corrective actions are initiated when applicable.
► Conducts root cause analysis studies and reports as internal teaching/lessons learned tools and to share with customers and owners.
► Develops, implements, and manages consistent plant operating philosophies and best practices to maximize plant reliability, efficiency and profitability.
► Establishes training needs and requirements of the Operations staff then coordinates with RED’s training Supervisor to budget, schedule and execute said training.
► Prioritizes the institutionalization of Utility Systems Operations Team knowledge by ensuring timely updates to operating instructions, drawings and through documentation of training tools.
► Prioritizes proficient use of Maximo as RED’s asset management software and enforces a discipline on the Operations staff to do the same.
► Prioritizes continuous process improvement by constantly evaluating and improving Plant policies,
1 RED operations also include a park wide compressed air system, a cryogenic nitrogen system, numerous water systems.
procedures and standards.
► Maintains a consistent and effective level of communications with all plant Operational staff, management and customers.
► Supports recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of Operations staff
Education and/or Experience:
► Preferred: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in engineering with a focused discipline related to utility system operations
► Required: High School Diploma. Additional consideration given to technical degrees and experience
► Preferred: 15 + years of increasing levels of responsibility in high pressure boiler, gas turbine based cogen, steam turbines with extraction, water, chilled water / refrigeration operations, and the distribution piping systems connecting the Utility Systems to RED’s end customers
► Preferred: 15 + years of increasing levels of responsibility managing and training people with demonstrated success in building strong cohesive teams focused on operational excellence.
Preferred Certifications/Licenses:
► NYS Stationary Engineer (1st, 2nd and/or Chief)
► NYS DOH 1A or 2A license
► USEPA Refrigeration Handling Universal License
► NYS Refrigeration License (2nd, 3rd and/or Class, Chief)
Skills/Competencies:
► Proficient with the Microsoft suite of office products
► Working knowledge of OSHA safety standards
► Ability to read, analyze, and interpret plans, specifications, contract documents, control drawings, service bulletins, technical manuals, equipment specifications, and governmental regulations.
► Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
► Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from senior management, customers, and operational level personnel.
► Ability to establish and sustain strong customer relationships
► Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
► Must be a “results-driven, self-starter” with the desire to bring creative solutions to a dynamic operating environment
► Demonstrates a high level of emotional intelligence and is able to communicate in a calm, professional manner in stressful environments.
► Dedication to highest levels of operational reliability and customer service
► Able to adjust easily to rapid change, possess a strong sense of urgency and is able to work well under pressure.
► Thorough, demonstrated understanding of plant operations and maintenance, with strong knowledge of chillers, boilers, gas turbines, electrical distribution and water treatment processes.
► Proven planning and scheduling experience
► Solid knowledge of plant engineering and plant maintenance functions and how they relate to operations.
► Experience with accounting practices as it relates to analyzing cost impacts to budget.
► Demonstrated skill in planning, coordinating and directing varied programs and tasks directly effecting the overall plant operation.
► Strong oral and written communication skills.
► Ability to work irregular hours and to work under unusual and special conditions that can arise in a power generation plant
► Ability to pass respirator fit tests to use respiratory protective equipment or self-contained breathing apparatus at all times.
Work Environment
► Working Conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works both in a business office setting, in a variety of buildings that house utility assets, and outside in all four seasons of weather. Outside weather conditions in Rochester, NY can range from extreme heat to extreme cold and everything in between. Employee will routinely encounter high-speed rotating equipment, moving mechanical parts and/or machinery. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate in the office but becomes quite loud in the buildings housing our utility assets requiring ear PPE.
Physical Demands
The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job.
► Employee is frequently required to: stand, walk, stoop, kneel and sit. It is crucial to the outcome of job tasks that the employee is able to: talk and hear; use hands and fingers to handle, feel, reach and carry.
► The employee in this classification will be required to frequently lift objects of up to 25 pounds in weight and occasionally lift or move objects of up to 50 pounds in weight.
► Vision requirements for this position include close, distance and peripheral vision, along with depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
► Able to operate computer keyboard, printers, copier, etc.
► Able to move between buildings in Eastman Business Park which routinely requires climbing multiple flights of stairs.
► Must have a valid driver’s license and willingness to use a company or personal car to travel about Eastman Business Park which covers approximately 5 square miles.
Created:10/25/22
Revised: 3/27/23