Associate Director, Central Plant & Energy Services

Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Interim Associate Vice President for Facilities Development and Operations and in collaboration within the Department and with colleagues across the campus, the Associate Director- Central Plant & Energy Services is responsible for leadership, management, and supervisory oversight of Central Plant operations and the energy services program. In this role, the incumbent is responsible for all operation, maintenance and repair at the Central Plant to ensure safe, reliable, efficient and sustainable electricity, heating and cooling services to the buildings on campus. This includes management of personnel for the Central Plant Chief Engineer and the Senior Energy & Utility analyst and Sr. Sustainability Program Lead as well as for the oversight, management and implementation of contracted services related to the area of assignment. The incumbent is also charged with ensuring energy generation and efficiency services and any associated outage communications are provided to the campus in a clear, consistent and organized manner. This position requires the management and collaboration of numerous campus-based customers and works in conjunction with other department managers and senior leadership.

The Energy, Utilities and Sustainability unit of Facilities Development & Operations provides services to a University campus spread across multiple sites comprised of 197 acres, 80 buildings, and more than six million gross square feet. Primary responsibilities of this unit are associated with operation of the Main Campus and its central energy plant and utility infrastructure. The Main Campus utility infrastructure consists of a 5.5MW natural gas fired co-generation plant with large capacity chillers, thermal energy storage system, auxiliary boilers, high voltage substation and medium voltage switchgear and electrical distribution infrastructure at 33 building substations. Utilities infrastructure also includes steam, condensate and distributed chilled water pumping systems, up to and including the interface to the connections in the campus buildings. Additionally, the unit is responsible for the fire/life safety and security systems for the Main Campus and all other off campus sites. The Energy & Utilities unit employs approximately 18 full time permanent staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for day-to-day management, coordination and quality control of Central Plant operations, maintenance, and repair services in support of the University’s mission and department goals and in accordance with standards, codes, and regulations. Includes responsibility for chiller plant, boiler plant and cogeneration systems and work efforts in supporting the campus.
• Ensures the effective work flow, priority, and delivery of services through the department’s common maintenance management system (CMMS) in coordination with others to ensure a seamless operation.
• Prioritizes work orders and communicates assignments and priorities to staff. Reviews workloads and makes determination of appropriate strategies necessary to achieve desired outcomes including contracting out.
• Ensures successful completion of work orders, including those associated with “trouble call” resolution, preventive maintenance, routine maintenance and repair, and customer cost recovery work.
• Identifies and determines problem root cause; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of processes and practices; initiates and implements plans to solve problems.
• Prepares progress reports, informs Director of work effort status and deviation from assigned goals; prepares activity reports for management guidance.
• Implements assigned maintenance, repair and renewal projects.
• Develops and oversees the implementation of energy efficiency projects including but not limited to controls upgrades, retro-commissioning, lighting and HVAC retrofits using the CSU energy service company (ESCO) master enabling agreements per the District Energy Master Plan.
• For the Energy Services program, the incumbent will direct, oversee and supervise energy audits, the development of investment grade assessments and the handover of developed and funding projects to assigned project manager in Maintenance and Infrastructure unit for implementation. The incumbent will work with campus stakeholders and the HVAC shops to reduce energy costs through low to no cost measures such as scheduling, air balancing and where controls equipment permits setback strategies.
• Oversees the implementation of the sustainability program to maintain, improve the quality of the points specifically.
• Manages assigned budget including monthly review, tracking, and forecasting of needs for all positions, supplies, contracts, and equipment. Facilitates purchasing of tools, materials, supplies, and equipment in coordination with others in the department.
• Develops and implements the strategic asset maintenance and management plans for the assigned area of responsibility (Central Plant and Energy Services), including development and implementation of an effective preventive maintenance program and ensuring established service levels can be consistently achieved within the resources allocated.
• Develops, monitors, and reports on key performance metrics/indicators as part of the asset management program to evaluate and improve asset life cycle and efficiency of resource allocation.
• Determines asset criticality and conducts risk analysis and condition assessment on utility infrastructure assets to determine remaining life and replace/repair decisions.
• For Central Plant, oversees maintenance projects. Where necessary due to plant or equipment evolution the incumbent will ensure sufficiently developed plans, specifications, permits, estimates and budget for maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment and infrastructure systems. Reviews construction progress for compliance with campus standards and requirements.
• Directly leads, oversees, and supervises Chief Engineer, Sr. Energy & Utilities Analyst and Sr. Sustainability Program lead, focus, efficiency, and a high quality of work while also ensuring coordination with other trades shop work efforts. Provides assigned staff with guidance, mentorship, and direction.
• Ensures the effective work flow, priority, and delivery of all Department labor and services through the Department’s CMMS working/coordinating with the Work Control Center.
• Develops professional development and training plans. Establishes performance requirements and personal development goals for direct reports including monitoring performance and coaching for improvement and development.
• Ensures a high level of organizational responsiveness and communication to understand customer needs, assure customer knowledge of service levels and service satisfaction, and maintains effective customer relationships.
• Develops and implements strategies to improve the customer experience and ease access to services and information utilizing varied methods of communication.
• Plans, implements, and updates procedures for area of responsibility as related to disaster and emergency preparedness and building security/emergency procedures.
• Responsible for record keeping, tracking and reporting regulatory compliance related to the assigned area of operations, maintenance, and repair activities to Environmental Health & Safety.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge as required to manage and supervise Central Plant and energy services program within a large facilities maintenance organization, including but not limited to operation and management of central plant infrastructure systems providing chilled water, steam and electricity to the campus.
• Strong knowledge of project development and implementation of energy efficiency retrofit and retro-commissioning projects.
• Strong knowledge of the operation, maintenance and repair of building and utility systems associated with the Central Plant equipment.
• Working knowledge of the California Building Code, California Energy Code, Title 8 Safety Orders, and Federal Codes, local ordinances, and other applicable codes and regulations.
• Strong knowledge of maintenance and repair planning and management principles including development and implementation of resource loaded schedules, periodic maintenance plans and service level plans and agreements.
• Knowledge of and ability to effectively manage personnel in a union environment including recruiting, training, supervising, and evaluating the productivity and performance of employees and analyzing and taking corrective action. Skill at providing sound analysis and guidance to supervisory staff.
• Knowledge and understanding of safety in the workplace and ability to observe safety requirements and safe work practices and methods.
• Knowledge and understanding of public contracting requirements as needed to develop and analyze proposals and negotiate favorable business terms.
• Demonstrated proficiency in planning, scheduling, prioritizing, and problem solving, and in managing both routine and complex maintenance workload requirements involving a mix of skilled trades so as to effect timely completion of numerous concurrent tasks within defined resource limitations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with a variety of computer applications including computerized maintenance management system word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, as well as electronic meeting, calendaring, and email systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency in financial planning, budgeting and fiscal management including the ability to interpret financial operating reports and manage multi-functional and diverse programs of significant budgetary impact.
• Ability to troubleshoot and implement service delivery improvements and creatively resolve unanticipated challenges which may arise.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions and to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions and deal with multiple abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to lead by example, modeling a caring, collaborative and open culture and environment which values the individual, teams and teamwork, ethical conduct, exemplary customer service and quality results.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work harmoniously with a diverse group of individuals at all levels within and outside of the organization. Work often requires active problem solving and effective interpersonal skills.
• Ability to effectively interpret, organize and present information, ideas and concepts in written or presentation format and use consultative, collaborative and facilitation skills to obtain decisions required to move forward toward implementation.
• Ability to independently recognize and accommodate changing priorities; meet deadlines/goals; and complete routine tasks despite intermittent interruptions. This includes managing multiple tasks and working proactively to avoid crisis and backlog.
• Ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic justice, social justice, environmental justice) into all aspects of performing job duties.
• Ability to analyze and respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction technology, facilities management, business or a related field OR which may be obtained through equivalent experience such as might be attained through five years of supervisory experience in management of maintenance and/or construction of central plant or related facilities, of which a minimum of three years is associated with progressively responsible experience.
• Five years of project management, program administration or supervisory experience within multi-faceted facilities/utilities maintenance organization of which three years may be obtained through equivalent educational experience such as graduate studies culminating in a degree in engineering, construction technology.
• Experience with computer programs and related equipment used for facilities/utility/energy maintenance management, building automation, and/or project management.

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer EFP or CEFP certification through the Association of Physical Plant Administrators or equivalent.
• Prefer Certified Energy Manager credential through Association of Energy Engineers
• Prefer Masters in Engineering or related field.
• Prefer possession of California supervisor certification for asbestos and lead related work.

Compensation

Classification: Administrator II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $12,730/month - $13,334/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month - $16,221/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary .

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: July 10, 2025 through July 31, 2025. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu .

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu .

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf . The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu .

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Advertised: Jul 10 2025 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

• 

• Cal State University (CSU) San Jose

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