Power Plant Shift Supervisor

Department: Facilities & Campus Operations

Classification: Trades Technician 4

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University Facilities ensures a quality physical environment supporting the mission of the university. We will be the technical and business experts of choice with the total trust and confidence of our students, faculty and staff.

About the Position:

Ready to start a new career at Virginia’s largest public research university? Want a work on a beautiful college campus with 677 acres of wooded land? Then start a new job as a State employee of Virginia. We’ve got the work. We have a great team. Now, we need an additional team member to contribute to our busy environment. We want someone who is reliable, takes pride in their work, and will make a noticeable contribution to the educational facilities at George Mason. Your manager can trust that you will get the job done.

George Mason’s Facilities & Campus Operations department is committed to providing a safe, functional, and clean community experience at the university. So, what’s in it for you?

Great benefits for you…

• Lots of leave, including paid annual leave, paid holidays, paid sick leave, paid two-week winter break (please note – the break employees often receive during the holiday season is not regularly guaranteed and is subject to annual approval);
• Tuition exemption and professional development;
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit;
• Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan; and
• Patriot Perks discounts to restaurants, events, and more!

For you and your family…

• Health/dental/vision benefits; and
• Tuition dependent benefit (restrictions apply).

Here's what the job looks like..

Responsibilities:

Supervises overall 24–hour operations of the Facilities Management Plant

• Oversees operation of the Central Heating and Cooling Plant (which includes: Two 25 million BTU and two 20 million BTU high temperature, hot water, boilers; large centrifugal chillers of various tonnage; an Ice Plant; satellite cooling and heating equipment; and related equipment) and directs boiler operators; and
• The Power Plant Shift Supervisor monitors and makes adjustments to campus equipment utilizing an includes HVAC, electrical, plumbing, utilities services, painting, and auto shop personnel).

Supervises the Central Heating & Cooling Plant and boiler operators

• Oversees the operation of heating equipment; multi-fueled, large capacity, high temperature, hot water boilers, converters, pumps, safeties, forced and included draft fans, valves, water meters, traps, water treatment systems, temperature and pressure indicating devices, and pneumatic controls; cooling equipment; centrifugal and screw type chillers, pumps, pneumatic controls, water treatment systems, cooling towers, and the ice plant; and large capacity air compressors;
• Supervises and directs Physical Plant trades personnel on a 24-hour basis. These trades include HVAC, electrical, general services, plumbing, painting, utilities services, and auto shop personnel;
• Monitors and adjusts as necessary CHCP equipment utilizing a computerized Energy Management System;
• Plans, assigns, inspects and evaluates the work of boiler operators, this work includes the creation and over overnight of continuous records by both the supervisor and operator to insure the efficient and safe operation of the Power Plant;
• Receives and responds to all emergency calls from Arlington and Prince William on a 24-hour basis;
• Ensures the completion of work assigned by Shop Supervisors; assigns, delegates, and oversees work to trade personnel on a symptomatic and emergency basis;
• Receives from campus community (faculty, staff, and students) work orders, trouble calls, and emergency calls via telephone. Prioritizes and ensures action. Responds personally or dispatches trade personnel to trouble and emergency calls for immediate response;
• For work orders, assigns written request to appropriate shops.  Communicates and coordinate between Physical Plant and university community;
• On a regular basis, inspects and maintains satellite low pressure hot water boilers, reciprocal and centrifugal chillers, converters, air handler units, valves, pumps, safeties, pneumatic controls, air compressors, etc;
• Inspections made by both visual checks and via the computerized Energy Management Systems. Minor repairs and adjustments made as needed;
• Maintains records of checks and abnormalities of these satellite systems. Regularly initiates and performs preventive maintenance on Power Plant and satellite cooling and heating equipment. Creates and ensures adherence to preventive maintenance schedules;
• Coordinates and responds to emergency situations such as an inclement weather conditions (i.e. flooding, and snow), downed trees, major waterline breaks, fire, power outage, elevator trap calls, bomb threats, etc;
• Contacts supervisor, campus police, utilities and department and agency heads;
• Subject to confined spaces, excess heat condition, hazardous chemicals, high temperature hot water flashes, extreme weather conditions, close proximity to high voltage feeds, high decibel noise levels, and mandatory extension of working hours; and
• Employee is also designated as “Essential Personnel.” All essential personnel employees are required to report for snow removal or other emergency when assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Considerable experience in power plant operation and equipment at the journeyman level or higher;
• Considerable experience in supervision and/or training which demonstrated the ability to perform the duties;
• Considerable knowledge of high-pressure boiler operations, water and auxiliary equipment associated with power plant operations, and of supervisory principles and practices;
• Must have working knowledge of operation of heating and cooling systems; and
• Ability to communicate; accept responsibility and to adhere to procedures and standards of conduct.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Vocational or technical training in related field.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Power Plant Shift Supervisor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: April 21, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  May 5, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes