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

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

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 position as a State employee of Virginia? Then we have the perfect opportunity for you. Work at George Mason University's beautiful Fairfax campus with 677 acres of wooded land, and become part of the GMU patriot team. You’ll make noticeable contributions to the educational facilities at George Mason University. 

We’ve got the work. Now, we need an additional team member to contribute to our busy environment. We want someone who is reliable, and takes pride in their work.  

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);
• Free tuition, up to 12 credit hours during the academic year and professional development;
• Commuter Choice Transit Benefit (monthly benefit to cover the cost of commuting by public transit or vanpool);
• Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan;
• Company provided uniforms, tools, and equipment;
• Patriot Perks discounts to restaurants, events, and more!

For you and your family…

• Health/dental/vision benefits; and
• Employee dependent tuition benefits (restrictions apply).

We think it's a great opportunity and can't wait to speak with you. Here's a partial list of the duties.

Responsibilities:

• Supervises the overall 24-hour operations of the Facilities Management Plant;
• Regularly 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 are 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 the satellite systems. Regularly initiates and performs preventive maintenance on Power Plant and satellite cooling and heating equipment. Creates and insures adherence to preventive maintenance schedules;
• Coordinates and responds to emergency situations such as inclement weather conditions (i.e., flooding and snow), downed trees, major waterline breaks, fire, power outage, elevator trap calls, bomb threats, etc. Contacts the supervisor, campus police, utilities, and department and agency heads;
• Subject to confined spaces, excess heat conditions, 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;
• Employees are designated as “Essential Personnel.” All essential personnel employees are required to report for snow removal or other emergencies when assigned;
• 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;
• 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. Monitors and makes adjustments to campus equipment including HVAC, electrical, plumbing, utilities services, painting, and auto shop personnel;
• 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 overnight of continuous records by both the supervisor and operator to ensure efficient and safe operation of the Power Plant;
• Receives and responds to all emergency calls from the Arlington and Manassas campuses on a 24-hour basis;
• Ensures the completion of work assigned by Shop Supervisors; assigns, delegates, and oversees work to trades personnel on a symptomatic and emergency basis;
• Receives work orders, trouble calls, and emergency calls via phone from the campus community (faculty, staff, and students). Prioritizes and ensures action. Responds personally or dispatches trade personnel to trouble and emergency calls for immediate response;
• For work orders, assigns written requests to the appropriate shops. Communicates and coordinates between the Physical Plant and university community; and
• Minor repairs and adjustments were made as needed. Maintains records of checks and abnormalities of these satellite systems. Regularly initiates and performs preventive maintenance on the Power Plant and satellite cooling and heating equipment. Creates and ensures adherence to preventive maintenance schedules.

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 demonstrates ability to perform the duties;
• Considerable knowledge of high-pressure boiler operations, water, and auxiliary equipment associated with power plant operations, and supervisory principles and practices;
• Must have working knowledge of the operation of heating and cooling systems; and
• Ability to communicate, accept responsibility, and adhere to procedures and standards of conduct.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Vocational or technical training in a related field.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the 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:  November 3, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  November 17, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes