CENTRAL UTILITY PLANT OPERATIONS MANAGER, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

Compass Group•Tampa, FL

19h•Onsite

About The Position

SSC Services for Education is known for our expertise, commitment, and value; and we at SSC truly believe that our people are our greatest asset. By utilizing our associates’ knowledge and experience alongside SSC’s extensive training, providing supportive management, and offering unparalleled wage and benefit packages as well as career advancement opportunities, we have developed a workforce that differentiates us from our competitors. SSC Services for Education is a Nationwide Best in Class Facility Service Provider. As a member of Compass Group, North America, we want you to be as great as you can be. We empower our associates to direct their own future, keeping them confident that we support them every step of the way. As a result, our associates embody greatness through their actions, natural passion for quality, and a can-do attitude. The opportunity for greatness is real at SSC and throughout the Compass world. This position is eligible for an Employee Referral Bonus! If you know someone that is qualified for this role, please use the ‘job search’ in PeopleHub to refer your referral and email them a link to apply. Your referral will be able to apply by clicking the link in the email. You can check the status through your profile, accessible via Careers in PeopleHub, by clicking on ‘referral tracking.’ For Employee Referral guidelines, FAQs and the Compass Employee Referral Policy, email [email protected]. The Central Utility Plant Operations Manager oversees the safe, reliable, and efficient 24/7 operation of campus central utility systems in support of university operations and ESCO contractual obligations. This role provides leadership for plant operations, maintenance, union labor management, and Building Automation Systems (BAS), while ensuring compliance with safety, regulatory, and performance requirements. The Manager serves as the primary on‑site operational liaison to the client, delivering clear communication, reporting, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Facilities Management, or related field, or equivalent experience.

Nice To Haves

7–10 years of central utility plant experience, including union leadership, BAS, CMMS, large mechanical systems, and performance‑based or ESCO contracts.

Responsibilities

Oversee operation and maintenance of chillers, boilers, cooling towers, hot and chilled water systems, electrical distribution, generators, domestic water systems, campus lighting, street signal lights, and plant control systems.
Optimize system reliability, efficiency, and asset life.
Lead response to alarms, outages, and emergencies.
Manage campus domestic meter reading and reporting.
Collaborate with engineering, facilities, and ESCO partners to improve system performance.
Lead a unionized workforce including plant operators, mechanics, controls technicians, generator technicians, and high‑voltage linemen.
Ensure staffing, shift coverage, overtime control, and safe work practices in accordance with labor agreements.
Support training, qualification, and development while maintaining strong labor relationships.
Oversee BAS operation, coordinate system upgrades, and ensure effective monitoring and trending.
Ensure corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance is planned, tracked, and documented in the CMMS.
Monitor backlog and maintenance metrics.
Ensure compliance with ESCO performance requirements, KPIs, audits, and reporting.
Prepare and present reports on plant performance, maintenance activities, KPIs, risks, and improvement recommendations.
Participate in client meetings and campus initiatives.