HVAC Supervisor

UNC-Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC
Onsite

About The Position

Functions as the Refrigeration Shop Supervisor with responsibility for maintaining, optimizing, and improving indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and occupant thermal comfort. Proper operation and maintenance of building HVAC and refrigeration systems, including complex refrigeration equipment supporting an extensive biotechnology/life sciences research and health care campus. Systems supported include DX units, variable refrigerant flow systems, gas heaters, environmental chambers, walk-in coolers and freezers, air dryers, ice machines, packaged units, CRAC units, dehumidification systems, refrigerated scientific equipment, ultra-low and cryogenic equipment, small chillers, and specialized equipment. Extend the life of building equipment as much as possible, given limited funding for replacements. Concurrently, with limited maintenance resources, help direct and optimize those resources to the most critical needs. Communicate replacement priorities to management as evidence of impending failure and corresponding occupant impact develops, to avoid unscheduled down time, and when failures do occur minimize time by ensuring availability of parts, equipment, and well-trained professional staff needed to return UNC back safely and quickly to normal operations. For projects and construction, participate in defining the scope, reviewing plans, performing inspections, and commissioning. Perform hands-on work to land the project on time and schedule when in-house staff are used. Consider energy efficiency and water use to meet UNC’s sustainability and energy reduction goals. Exercise a high level of independent decision making and responsibility for compliance with university, town, state, and federal laws, ordinances, codes, and policies. Ensure that employee training is kept current and in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ) and other requirements. Evaluate opportunities for cross training and career development which enhance the shop’s ability to effectively respond to changes in its mission and organizational needs.

Requirements

  • Demonstrated commitment to customer service.
  • Continuous quality improvement focus.
  • Sensitivity in working with groups.
  • Responsive management and leadership skills including the ability to make sound decisions, provide timely direction to staff, and maintain an approachable demeanor with the ability to motivate staff and maintain positive morale.
  • Journey level knowledge of the areas supervised including boilers, DX systems, process chillers, water coolers, air dryers, environmental chambers, walk-in coolers, and refrigerated scientific and food service equipment.
  • Excellent leadership and management skills.
  • Intermediate computer skills in use of Excel, AiM Computerized Maintenance Management System, Outlook, Word, and similar software.
  • Written communication skills necessary to complete HR paperwork such as position postings, selection packages, and performance reviews.
  • Proficiency in safe work practices (e.g., lockout/tagout, NFPA70E arc flash, Personal Protective Equipment, fall protection).
  • Proficiency in codes and standards (e.g., NC Mechanical Code, NC Energy Conservation Code, National Electrical Code, UNC design standards).
  • Proficiency in HVAC operations (e.g., laboratory fume hood systems, medical vacuum systems, screw air compressors, heat reclaim systems, variable frequency drives).
  • Proficiency in Facilities protocols (e.g., shut down procedures for systems and buildings, requirements for working in Joint Commission accredited healthcare facilities, CDC regulated laboratories, or AAALAC accredited vivariums).
  • Ability to work in healthcare facilities, which requires vaccines (currently varicella or chickenpox, influenza, and COVID -19), tuberculosis testing, and overall medical certification.
  • Ability to serve as a mandatory employee and report to work in support of essential (mandatory) University operations, even when adverse weather or other emergency conditions (e.g., public health) may require the University to close.
  • Position may be required to work in active BSL3 labs, which requires a baseline blood draw, a physical, and vaccines (currently flu and tetanus) as well as annual medical certification, and respirator fit testing.
  • A valid NC driver’s license or the ability to obtain one prior to start date.
  • Ability to obtain an EPA universal refrigerant certification within the first year of employment.

Nice To Haves

  • Ability to troubleshoot and repair complex mechanical systems.
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret electrical schematics and blueprints.
  • Experience in management.
  • EPA 608 certification.
  • Ability to ensure accuracy in documentation.

Responsibilities

  • Maintaining, optimizing, and improving indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and occupant thermal comfort.
  • Proper operation and maintenance of building HVAC and refrigeration systems.
  • Extending the life of building equipment.
  • Directing and optimizing maintenance resources to critical needs.
  • Communicating replacement priorities to management.
  • Minimizing downtime when failures occur by ensuring availability of parts, equipment, and staff.
  • Participating in defining scope, reviewing plans, performing inspections, and commissioning for projects and construction.
  • Performing hands-on work for projects when in-house staff are used.
  • Considering energy efficiency and water use to meet sustainability and energy reduction goals.
  • Exercising independent decision making and responsibility for compliance with laws, ordinances, codes, and policies.
  • Ensuring employee training is current and in compliance with OSHA and other requirements.
  • Evaluating opportunities for cross-training and career development.
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