Director of Utilities April 2015
Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, seeks an accomplished leader to be the Director of Utilities. The Director reports to the Executive Director, Facilities Management. The Director of Utilities will lead, promote, and direct a comprehensive, customer sensitive unit that manages all utility infrastructure and energy conservation efforts on campus. Ohio University Ohio University is a public institution located on a 1,850-acre campus in Athens, Ohio. Since its founding in 1804, Ohio University has cultivated a proud tradition of academic and research excellence on a diverse and inclusive campus in a beautiful Appalachian setting. OHIO is the oldest public institution of higher learning in the state of Ohio and the first in the Northwest Territory. The University was a pioneer in forming academic relationships with international institutions and continues to successfully pursue a global education agenda. Today, Ohio University is organized into 12 academic units and six campuses. The University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and a number of professional accrediting associations. With more than 1,100 faculty and 38,000 students at six campuses, the University offers more than 250 undergraduate programs as well as 188 masters and 58 doctoral programs. The student to faculty FTE ratio at Ohio University is 22:1. The Athens Campus offers students a residential learning experience in one of the nation s most picturesque academic settings. Athens Campus Colleges College of Arts and Sciences College of Business College of Fine Arts College of Health Sciences and Professions Center for International Studies Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Honors Tutorial College The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education Fritz J. and Dolores H. Russ College of Engineering and Technology Scripps College of Communication University College Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs Regional Campuses Chillicothe Eastern Lancaster Southern Zanesville 2
With a strong track record in research and innovation, OHIO plays a vital role in Ohio s economic development, with the first university-based business incubator in the state and nine spin-off companies. Faculty members are engaged in world-class research and creative activity in energy, biological and biomedical sciences, physics and astrophysics, health care, communication and media, creative writing, avionics, and more. Ohio University has been cited for outstanding academic quality and value by publications Fortune, U.S. News and World Report, BusinessWeek, Forbes, America's 100 Best College Buys, Princeton Review's Best Colleges, and Peterson's Guide to Competitive Colleges. The John Templeton Foundation has also recognized Ohio University as one of the top characterbuilding institutions in the country. The Chronicle of Higher Education has recognized the University as one of the top producers of U.S. Fulbright scholars with a total number of Fulbright winners currently ranks the University first in the state for the fourth-straight year and nationally places the University in the company of Boston College, Princeton, and UCLA. About the Athens Campus and the Athens Community Nestled along the Hocking River, in the beautiful Appalachian region in the foothills of southeastern Ohio, Athens is a traditional historic college town. With its red brick Georgian architecture and system of greens, the Athens campus is acknowledged to be one of the most attractive in the nation. The Athens campus is made up of 217 buildings and 1,850 acres. The residential nature of the campus and its landscape engender the feeling of a small college and contribute to the strong sense of community, which is a hallmark of its institutional culture. Ohio University is the largest employer in Athens County. With a population of more than 24,000, the town of Athens is known as a progressive community that values sustainability and supports local businesses and agriculture. The shops, restaurants, and music scene in Athens reflect the dynamic student culture, the significant international population, and the enduring traditions of Appalachia. The year-round Athens Farmers Market, which features dozens of regional and organic vendors, is one of the most popular local institutions. The surrounding area, which includes a national forest, several state parks and forest areas, attracts outdoor adventure enthusiasts interested in kayaking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, bird watching, and hunting. Athens has been recognized as one of the Top 100 art communities in America. Major art and art education venues include Ohio University s Memorial Auditorium, Stuart s Opera House, The Dairy Barn Arts Center, ARTS/West, and the Kennedy Museum. The varied history of the region remains evident in its landscape from Adena burial mounds, the remnants of the Hocking Canal, the Wayne National Forest, and the Ridges (a state mental hospital and its extensive grounds, now owned by the university), which played an important role in the local community from 1874-1993. More information on Athens and its surrounding area can be found at http://www.athensohio.com/. 3
The Position Director of Utilities The Director of Utilities will lead, promote, and direct a comprehensive, customer-sensitive unit that manages all utility infrastructure and energy conservation efforts on campus. As such, the Director will contribute significantly to the overall direction of the delivery of facilities services to the entire campus with specific responsibility for the supply and distribution of utilities, which includes steam, chilled water, electric, potable water, sanitary, and storm sewer collection. As a key steward of the university s utilities infrastructure, the Director is responsible for every aspect of the management of all associated production facilities, distribution systems, and capital projects. Additionally, he/she will use his/her expertise of energy infrastructure and energy management best practices and principles to influence a cost effective reduction in energy usage campus wide through energy audits and implementation of energy saving solutions. The Director will have a high degree of accountability with regard to the relationships of the five key constituencies: the university, customers, staff, colleagues, and external agencies. The Director is responsible for promoting the cultural norms of Ohio University s values of community, character, civility, citizenship and integrity, as well as commitment supporting inclusive and sustainable practices in carrying out everyday responsibilities. The Director will represent the university s interests in utility infrastructure matters with senior administrators, the Board of Trustees, faculty, union officials, governmental officials, regulators, energy purveyors, and others. The Director will look to continually improve operations and customer service by developing metrics, monitoring progress, meeting with customers, coordinating reporting, and establishing expectations. He/she will develop and implement energy conservation measures and ensure the reliable and efficient delivery of utilities to the Athens campus. Key Opportunities Success for this position will be defined through: measurable improvements in energy supply costs, reliable and efficient distribution systems, and progress towards University sustainability goals; creating and maintaining effective collaborations and partnerships across the University; and open and transparent communication. Progress in the following high impact areas will be particularly important. Addressing Infrastructure Needs: The Director will have the opportunity to address Ohio University s energy/utility infrastructure needs. The Director, in partnership with the SAVP of IT and Administrative Services, ED of Facilities Management, the Architecture, Design, and Construction team, outside engineering consulting firm (RMF), and others, will use recommendations from the recent Utilities Master Plan and align it with a comprehensive Campus Master Plan and implement $79 million of projects over a 20-30 year period. The University s heating plant and chilled water systems are primary priorities and are scheduled for comprehensive renewal and/or modernization and the Director will be a key participant in these projects. The Director is the lead in the negotiation and procurement of energy for Ohio University. Data Collection and Analysis: The Director of Utilities is the leader for the tracking, collection, and distribution of utilities data. He/she will need to improve metering and 4
sub-metering systems at Ohio. The University is implementing RCM so the Director will need to effectively track water and energy usage and will work with the ED of Facilities Management to develop and communicate billing methodologies to campus customers. The University receives over 100 electricity bills and 100 natural gas bills every month. The Director is responsible for collecting this data, ensuring bills are paid, and developing a systematic and transparent approach for communicating this data. Focus on Sustainability: The University has committed to being off coal by the end of 2015 and has committed to being carbon neutral by 2075. The Director will work with the Office of Sustainability on a variety of initiatives that require data collection and reporting, including STARS, the Ohio University Sustainability Plan, and the Ohio University Climate Action Plan. The Director will also be a visible leader and voice for other sustainability efforts such as Sustainable Ohio University Leaders (SOUL), and a variety of energy challenge efforts aimed at students, faculty, and staff. Qualifications The Director of Utilities will have the following experiences, capabilities, and attributes: A minimum of 8 years of experience in utilities management, boiler plant operations, large plant maintenance and operations, and project management is required. Experience working with labor unions is preferred; Proficiency and knowledge of the utilities business and the forces affecting it, i.e., the impact of regulation of many kinds, laws effecting the usage and sale of energy, market forces effecting the procurement of energy, labor issues, knowledge of sustainable practices, energy conservation, and knowledge of new innovations in technology; Excellent leadership, communication, teamwork, and customer service skills; Experience with both utilities and campus master planning; Successful collaborations with design and construction teams, renovations and maintenance teams, and sustainability efforts; Ability to apply and communicate engineering, energy, and other technical concepts across a variety of audiences (technical, non-technical, university, and non-university); Knowledge of building codes, and state and federal regulations; Demonstrated ability to give and receive feedback, communicate honestly, listen, respect others, learn from mistakes, set high goals and achieve them, overcome obstacles, use time effectively, set priorities, and participate effectively on teams. Exhibit innovation, good judgment and reliability in the work place. Encourage staff to acquire new skills and utilize them; and, Bachelor s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, or Electrical) is required. Experience with District Energy Systems is preferred. The Brill Neumann team working on this search: Liz Neumann, Tom Phillips, and Amy Sugin Brill Neumann Associates, Inc. Boston, MA 5
Please complete and submit the online application and be prepared to attach 3 separate documents: Resume, Cover Letter, and a list of 3 professional references with current contact information at: www.ohiouniversityjobs.com/postings/14045 Ohio University is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive educational and workplace environment. Ohio University is an equal access/equal opportunity and affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to building and maintaining a diverse workforce. Women, persons of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. 6