Operations Engineer

Summary

Job Category:
Facility Planning, Design, and Construction
Job Title:
Operations Engineer
Job Category Definition:
This category covers all aspects of facility management, master planning, real estate services, building and infrastructure design, project design reviews, design and construction standard development, and construction project management. Responsibilities of these positions include: programmatic administration, coordination and management of projects, budgetary oversight, facilities management, and leadership of programs and services. Functions may include specialized architectural, engineering, site, and construction services; energy engineering; building code analysis; project scheduling, estimating, and management; and support of operations and maintenance.
Job Title Definition:
The Operations Engineer conducts investigations, evaluations, and applied research directed toward managing the procurement and consumption of energy and related commodities; uses known engineering theories and principles and applies them in methods specific to energy management and problems encountered; requires the use of known theories and principles to develop new market driven solutions that may not be in existence, may not be documented, or may not be proven; prepares technical reports and recommendations for use by University administration for guidance on energy procurement, energy production and energy market conditions, as well as issues of long- and short-range planning for capacity/load, energy use and production, budgeting, capital planning, and capital renewal; assists in procurement of energy and energy commodities; initiates, evaluates, develops and implements energy conservation projects and programs to reduce consumption and/or operating cost; evaluates and interprets current and evolving codes and regulations on energy procurement, and assists in permit preparation and compliance documentation; maintains, evaluates and validates energy use and consumption data for reporting, billing and benchmarking; assists in the review and implementation of facility design and construction to ensure reduction strategies are implemented and maintained; develops operational and maintenance program parameters; organizes, coordinates, and provides technical presentations and workshops for operations personnel, researchers, educators, students and the public. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.ards for design and construction; develops operational and maintenance program parameters. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
Depending on the specific position held, a valid PA Driver’s License and ability to operate a motor vehicle may be required.

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
FCPD0501 J Non-Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline working knowledge of routine work applications; follow standard principles and systems and use appropriate terminology associated with a particular field of specialization; participate as a team member in a collaborative environment within a diverse workforce; actively contribute to completion of team goals and assigned tasks; clearly communicate information, ideas, or instructions verbally and in writing; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under direct and frequent supervision while performing routine duties using established procedures with detailed instructions.

Typical Education & Experience

0+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in an Engineering or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure: FE preferred; Valid PA Driver’s License and ability to operate a motor vehicle may be required

Typical Work Duties
  • Perform engineering calculations, including energy modeling
  • Perform field measurement and verification
  • Collect and review energy data for validity
  • Perform building and system audits in comparison to established requirements
  • Using accepted methods and techniques, assist with the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems and subsystems
  • Learn and apply standard practices and techniques in solving problems related to energy consumption and production
  • Contribute data/findings for use in technical reports, documents, or oral/written presentations
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and clients to accomplish organizational goals; may provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level; network primarily with own technical peer group
  • Selected positions will assist in preparing for and teaching workshops and short courses

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
FCPD0502 K Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate knowledge of the concepts, practices and procedures of a particular field of specialization; perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas/applications by continuously building on current job knowledge; maintain effective relationships with peers, vendors, and others in a diverse environment; support team decisions and follow through with team responsibilities; interpret information, ideas and instructions and communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; determine causes of unusual occurrences and apply standard principles and practices to determine and implement solutions; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; typically work under general supervision, while performing assignments that are varied and that may be somewhat difficult in character, but usually involve limited responsibility.

Typical Education & Experience

2+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure:
FE or PE license preferred; Valid PA Driver’s License and ability to operate a motor vehicle may be required

Typical Work Duties
  • Analyze data to highlight information, suggest conclusions, and inform decision-making
  • Administer programs developed and managed by others
  • Participate in project planning by others
  • Participate in commodity and energy procurement teams
  • Using accepted methods and techniques, contribute to the design, development, implementation, and analysis of technical engineering products, systems and subsystems
  • Investigate and evaluate practical applicability of scientific theories and engineering principles basic to the development and improvement of various engineering systems
  • Initiate or contribute data/analysis/design for use in technical reports, documents, proposals, or oral/written presentations
  • Perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members, engineers, and scientists to accomplish organizational goals; provide ideas to improve efficiency at group level; may network beyond own technical peer group
  • Supervise the work of engineering aides and undergraduate students
  • Selected positions would prepare materials for and teach workshops and short courses

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
FCPD0503 L Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications to integrate fundamental elements from other specialties into work assignments; apply knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization to complete difficult assignments; promote a culture that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse team members; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; may lead a project team involved in completion of difficult assignments, requiring proficient knowledge of field of specialization; interpret and communicate information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in writing including materials intended for distribution; incorporate new facts and ideas into group processes and apply creative thinking to develop new solutions; typically work with minimal supervision on difficult assignments, conferring with manager on unusual matters.

Typical Education & Experience

5+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure:
PE license preferred; Valid PA Driver’s License and ability to operate a motor vehicle may be required

Typical Work Duties
  • Review drawings and documents of other engineers; comment and critique
  • Manage conservation and procurement programs, including budgets
  • Lead commodity and energy procurement teams
  • Manage projects of small or moderate size and scope; make substantial contributions to determining feasibility of goals and objectives; responsible for assuring quality, cost effectiveness and timeliness of assigned projects
  • Identify problems and related technical issues leading to long-term, generic solutions
  • identify technical approach for solving problems and meeting customer needs
  • Plan and perform tasks of a larger scope and lead specific tasks within the project scope; assemble teams
  • Author/co-author on papers, proposals, presentations and reports
  • Interact in a collaborative manner with other team members to accomplish organizational goals; provide ideas to improve organizational efficiency at group and department levels
  • Mentor assigned staff in the development of technical, project, and business development skills
  • Selected positions would prepare materials for and teach workshops and short courses

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
FCPD0504 M Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field of specialization and complete complex assignments; integrate complex elements from other specialties into work assignments; demonstrate a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity throughout the University; establish a shared vision and take responsibility for the achievement of team goals, and provide direction for appropriate implementation of plans; present ideas, concepts and instructions in a clear manner, and use persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; develop new techniques, concepts, theories, programs or solutions and apply them to complex strategic operating issues; typically work independently on complex work assignments, review progress and evaluate results and update management as appropriate; may direct and delegate work to lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

10+ years related experience

Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure:
PE license required; Valid PA Driver’s License and ability to operate a motor vehicle may be required

Typical Work Duties
  • Manage large projects, including feasibility, planning, and budgets
  • Participate in development and lead energy-related programs and initiatives across college or University units (internally) or governmental agencies (externally)
  • Evaluate alternative energy procurement strategies
  • Guide University and advise senior executives either internally (University administration) or externally (state or federal officials) on energy procurement and policies
  • Understand broad strategic objectives and contribute to them; nurture and maintain relationships with customers
  • Seek funding for programs and projects
  • Present papers, participate in advisory/policy boards
  • Understand and contribute to the strategic plan of the unit
  • Supervise technicians, designers, engineers-in-training, and/or other engineers
  • May prepare materials and teach workshops and short courses

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
FCPD0505 N Exempt

Level 5 positions typically extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories and practices of related specialties; expand knowledge of best practices and incorporate into all work assignments and procedures; evaluate and enhance current practices and efforts to ensure optimal support of diversity; oversee leadership of teams and projects that involve extensive cooperation and coordination between multiple departments across the University or with external customers; prepare written and/or verbal presentations or proposals on highly complex issues and deliver to a broad variety of audiences; identify and implement innovative solutions to important, highly complex strategic and/or operational issues which may involve unusual circumstances and incomplete or conflicting data; ensure safe practices and environmental consciousness are exhibited in decisions; work independently on highly complex or strategic assignments; may direct and supervise lower-level staff.

Typical Education & Experience

11+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher in Engineering or related discipline

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Required Certifications, Registrations or Licensure:
PE license required; Valid PA Driver’s License and ability to operate a motor vehicle may be required

Typical Work Duties
  • Develop and lead energy-related programs and initiatives across college or University units (internally) or governmental agencies (externally)
  • Design, plan and lead work on extremely complex programs, initiatives and projects
  • Present papers, participate in advisory/policy boards
  • Participate and contribute to the strategic plan of the unit
  • Plan, organize and supervise the work of engineers and technicians
  • Continually benchmark with similar organizations to establish best practices
  • Maintain performance measures on critical initiatives to ensure goals are being reached
  • Continually provide innovative solutions to energy related problems

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.