Work Center Team Lead - Steam Systems

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

About The Position

The Utilities Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a Work Center Team Lead for its Steam Work Center within the Mechanical Utilities Complex. The Utilities Division operates and maintains industrial-type utilities that support ORNL’s research mission by delivering utility services safely, reliably, compliantly, and economically. The Steam Work Center is responsible for the operation, maintenance, reliability, and regulatory compliance of ORNL’s central steam production and distribution systems, compressed air production and distribution systems, and natural gas distribution system. The systems include boilers, water treatment systems, steam distribution and condensate return systems, air compressors and dryers, air and natural gas distribution systems, pressure safety systems, controls, and associated support equipment. The work center comprises approximately 25 employees, including engineers, supervisors, planners, operators, and craft personnel. The Team Lead provides line management and technical leadership to ensure reliable system performance through preventive and corrective maintenance, operational oversight, resource planning, environmental compliance, and support of 24/7 utility operations. The position involves various physical requirements and working conditions, and a pre-hire physical is required after an offer. Visa sponsorship is unavailable. The role requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy clearance and is designated for Workplace Substance Abuse Program testing, including a pre-placement drug test and ongoing random drug testing.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university.
At least eight years of progressive utility, industrial plant, boiler plant, or mechanical systems experience involving both operations and maintenance.
At least three years of supervisory or management experience.
Demonstrated experience with industrial steam systems, boiler systems, compressed air systems, natural gas distribution systems, central utility plants, or other large-scale mechanical utility systems.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy clearance.
Ability to pass a pre-placement drug test and participate in ongoing random drug testing.
Ability to meet the role’s physical requirements and working conditions, including completing a pre-hire physical after offer.

Nice To Haves

Active Professional Engineer license in Tennessee.
Five years of experience supervising or managing craft personnel in an industrial or utility environment.
Knowledge of environmental and regulatory compliance for industrial boiler and utility operations, including air emissions, boilers and pressure vessels, natural gas distribution, water treatment and chemistry, and applicable mechanical and environmental standards.
Experience with ASME pressure systems, piping systems, and applicable mechanical codes and standards.
Experience supporting or supervising 24/7 operations in a rotating shift environment.
Strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Demonstrated sound technical judgment related to utility system operations and maintenance.
Knowledge of ORNL utility systems, mission requirements, and the impact of utility reliability on research and facility operations.
Familiarity with labor relations principles and experience in a collective bargaining or union environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, prioritize multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing operational needs.

Responsibilities

Manage personnel, systems, and equipment to provide safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of ORNL steam, compressed air, and natural gas distribution systems.
Provide technical leadership and operational oversight for large industrial utility systems and associated equipment, including boilers, combustion equipment, fuel and feedwater systems, water treatment equipment, pumps, piping, compressors, dryers, pressure safety systems, instrumentation, and controls.
Ensure system reliability and availability through preventive, predictive, condition-based, troubleshooting, and corrective maintenance programs.
Lead and support troubleshooting, repairs, and operational responses to complex utility-system issues, equipment failures, and emergent outages.
Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, regulatory, pressure-system, piping, natural-gas distribution, water-treatment, engineering, and other applicable requirements.
Support safe and efficient boiler operation, including combustion equipment, fuel and feedwater systems, boiler water chemistry, emissions, controls, and auxiliary equipment.
Establish work-center expectations, direction, accountability, and performance standards.
Set work-center priorities and direct resources toward high-priority maintenance, operational, reliability, and infrastructure needs.
Promote a culture aligned with ORNL’s Safe Conduct of Research principles and strong operational discipline.
Coordinate with system engineering, maintenance planners, operations personnel, construction organizations, and research customers to optimize reliability and minimize operational impacts.
Coordinate maintenance and operations activities in Special Secured areas with ORNL Security.
Communicate work direction through shift orders, standing orders, operating procedures, and other formal methods to support turnover and continuity between shifts.
Coordinate outages, prioritize work, allocate resources, and optimize system uptime and reliability with all levels of management.
Support work management, scheduling, and resource planning for planned and emergent work.
Provide operational, maintenance, and infrastructure input for customer planning, budgeting, and resource forecasting related to utility systems.
Conduct field observations, safety meetings, and performance reviews to reinforce safe work practices and operational excellence.
Provide timely notification, documentation, and reporting of incidents, equipment failures, environmental events, and operational occurrences.
Promote continuous improvement, learning, and operational excellence throughout the Utilities Division.
Participate in special projects and assignments as directed by Utilities management.
Treat people with respect and foster ORNL’s core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service; promote equal opportunity and a respectful workplace.