Mechanical Engineering and Commissioning Program Manager

The Mechanical Engineering and Commissioning Program Manager will deliver value by overseeing and advising on Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems engineering standards and quality throughout planning, design, construction, commissioning (Cx), occupancy, and maintenance and operations with relevant stakeholders within FPM. Working with the design principles established through the University's Master Plan and department goals and objectives, this individual will drive improvement of the overall quality, longevity, sustainability and functionality of HVAC&R engineering systems, particularly related to the Central Utility Plant, campus distribution, and systems and components in individual buildings. This individual will demonstrate leadership, a collaborative working style, and excellent customer service working closely with stakeholders and constituencies, design consultants, contractors, and with colleagues within the Facilities organization to identify high impact, innovative design and operations solutions.

Responsibilities

Capital Planning, Engineering Leadership, and Strategic Decision-Making:

Assists in planning, overseeing and reviewing the design of capital projects on campus, ranging in size from simple interior renovations to more complex major building systems renewals, reconfigurations, and new construction of buildings and landscapes.

Establishes standards and consistency for HVAC&R engineering strategies and solutions and Cx procedures campus-wide and in individual facilities.

Collaborates with FPM colleagues to drive innovative, high quality and cost effective engineering solutions. Ensures that project definition includes measures to correct code deficiencies, enhance accessibility, improve energy efficiency/sustainability, and protect, preserve, restore and/or rehabilitate historic architectural and campus resources.

Collaborates with end-users and FPM staff to identify solutions and develop detailed project proposals for review and approval by end users and project champions within the University. Assists in developing written programming documents and presentations in addition to project approval documents as needed to initiate projects and funding mechanisms. Conducts timely review of project approval and design development with appropriate faculty, staff, and administrators.

Participates in the annual development of the Capital Plan by recommending and prioritizing capital needs and meeting with stakeholders and colleagues in the Facilities Division. Assesses the capital plan for opportunities to achieve cost, schedule, and/or operational efficiencies by combining capital projects or other initiatives. Incorporates the appropriate mitigation of deferred maintenance priorities in the pre-project planning of capital projects.

Planning, Design, and Commissioning Contract Administration:

Functions as an authorized representative in coordinating, supervising and directing professional design, engineering, and Cx consultants in order to maintain capital and/or maintenance project scope, schedule, budget, and program. Supervises and/or supports planning and design projects through planning, feasibility study, design, and commissioning phases; monitors construction, warranty and occupancy phases in conjunction with the CPM project managers.

Administers Architect-Engineer (A-E) and/or Cx contracts and other purchase orders. Assists in the negotiation of A-E fees and change orders. Reviews and approves Applications for Payment and invoices. Prepares financial and/or narrative reports as may be required.

Small HVAC&R Engineering Project Execution, Review and Documentation:

Working with other Facilities departments, defines and manages project scope, quality, budget and schedule through planning and design phases. Oversees the accurate development of initial planning concepts through completion of contract documents. Assures timely review by appropriate Administrators and Departments.

Attends project meetings with consultants and contractors to monitor Project progress; coordinates solutions to problems that arise, and maintains written records of all meetings and resolutions. Ensures that meeting minutes are kept and distributed; clarifies and documents each step of the planning, design, and decision making process for each project.

Works closely with FPM staff on campus to establish appropriate expectations relative to project scope, budget, and timelines by communicating clearly and accurately all aspects of design process including input required by each person and department.

Prepares and maintains project progress and status reports, financial and narrative reports including detailed project descriptions and work scopes for all projects in planning and design phases. Coordinates documentation process and content with project managers assigned to projects as they move into implementation phases.

Monitors project construction to ensure compliance with design intent and contract documents, University requirements and construction schedules. Design elements for compliance include engineering systems such as: electrical, mechanical, HVAC&R, plumbing, telecommunications, fire alarm and security systems.

As changes to the Work become necessary, communicates relevant information to affected parties, campus departments as appropriate, and to other members of the project team. Seeks and obtains approval from appropriate University decision-makers for significant scope, schedule and cost deviations. Documents each step of the construction process and decision-making process.

Accompanies designers, engineers, Cx agents (CxA)/consultants, and review agency representatives during construction site inspections. Works with the Design Team to resolve any issues that arise from these meetings.

Manages project handoffs to other Facilities departments, maintaining appropriate level of design oversight and support during construction and occupancy.

Subject Matter Expertise and Technical Support:

Provides conceptual cost estimating services for projects, as appropriate. Researches comparable projects for benchmarking and comparison.

Maintains knowledge of the requirements of the various authorities having jurisdiction on projects and work with consultant teams to ensure compliance and timely processing of zoning and permitting processes.

Works with other senior staff in the department and in other related offices on campus to review drawings and specifications periodically throughout the design and commissioning processes to ensure compliance with all codes and University standards.

When required, generates and reviews drawings, specifications, contracts, requests for proposals, proposal responses, budgets, schedules, and related documents for small projects. Coordinates multiple disciplines and input from subject matter experts.

Communication, Collaboration and Customer Service:

Communicates with a wide variety of internal and external constituents, including executive management.

Conducts effective presentations to groups with disparate levels of technical knowledge of design and construction.

Works closely with staff as appropriate, including all FPM departments, Office of General Counsel, Department of Public Safety, Disability Support Services, Office of Procurement and Payment Services, and other offices as needed to ensure compliance with university standards and systems.

Manages stakeholders. Engages appropriate constituents effectively in development of project goals, vision and program requirements, assuring timely communication and review of projects by appropriate administrators, departments and end-users.

Assists in the preparation of and/or review of internal and external communications regarding capital projects, planning/design initiatives and construction activities. Clears all official communications through appropriate parties.

Organizational Effectiveness, Professional Development and Leadership:

Mentors student interns and junior staff by spending time in review of their work, providing exposure to meaningful client interactions and development of design and engineering documents.

Ensures that project correspondence, documents and records of decision-making are saved and archived according to University and department standards in the appropriate project drive folders and database systems.

After completion of a project, reviews the completed project with project stakeholders to ensure all building systems are performing as designed.

Assists in the assemblage, organization, digitization and archiving of historical project records.

Maintains relevant expertise and credentials through professional training and industry conferences. Advocates design and construction excellence. Maintains working knowledge of current industry software (CADD, BIM) and utilizes project management tools to ensure FPM Division quality standards.

Assists in the development of design and construction standard processes, procedures, and standards for incorporation into reference materials for the FPM Division's business practices handbook/website.

Assists in the development and publication of Design Guidelines.

Suggests venues for highlighting the work and accomplishments of the department and FPM Division. Participates in community-building activities.

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Advanced degree strongly preferred.

Working knowledge of Auto CAD and BIM to interface effectively with all A-E consultants. Ability to read drawings and to explain content of drawings.

Hands-on knowledge of building codes, zoning codes and municipal permitting processes for major construction projects, interior renovations, and site improvements.

Ability to develop and coordinate graphics for presentations to all constituents.

Proficient in use project scheduling software and other analytical and planning tools such as MS Word, Excel, Project, and Powerpoint.



Practical Experience:

Minimum of 10 years experience in design and construction: engineering design and/or construction experience for projects with budgets of at least $35M.

Experience with all aspects of HVAC&R engineering design, commissioning, and construction required, including: programming, planning, developing the Owner's Program of Requirements (POR), design and construction document preparation, project management, construction administration and systems commissioning.

Experience in cost estimating, bidding and engineering coordination, coordination of plan reviews, and verifying compliance of design projects with the campus design standards and relevant building codes.

Experience with sustainable design and life-cycle costing and analysis.

Experience with the design and construction of HVAC&R systems in historic and modern buildings and a variety of construction types and applicable building uses.

Experience with Building Automation Systems (BAS) and building control systems. Experience with Pritchett Control systems a plus.

Experience writing and editing technical specifications.

Experience with the review and approval of HVAC&R construction phase and construction closeout phase submittals including Operations and Maintenance manuals and equipment warranties.

Experience working with Central Plant and HVAC&R Maintenance and Operations staff

Licensed Professional Engineer IS A PLU S

LEED accreditation preferred.

Experience with Space Management and/or Facilities Management systems a plus.

Preferred experience with user groups and community groups in design of buildings, providing engineering services within a multi-building, multi-disciplinary environment (university, hospital, city planning).

Preferred experience in higher education; particularly with one or more of the following: design of technology-enhanced instructional space, student residence life facilities; lab planning and design; athletic facility planning and design a plus.

Preferred experience as a supervisor of design professionals

Benefit packages for this role will start on the 31st day of employment and include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as HSA, FSA, and DCFSA account options, and 401k retirement account access with employer matching. Employees in this role are also entitled to paid sick leave and/or other paid time off as provided by applicable law.