Operator, Control Systems

About the role

The Controls Systems Operator position is part of the Vanderbilt University Maintenance and Operations (VU) and is a key individual contributor responsible for analyzing systems alarms and failures; determining if corrective actions are needed; monitoring fire alarms, security alarms, and HVAC systems in place throughout campus; providing off-hour plant operations coverage on a rotational shift basis within Vanderbilt University’s buildings.

Reporting directly to the Building Systems Control Manager, the Controls Systems Operator will work as a partner and in collaboration with all departments throughout the VU camps on a daily basis.

Key Functions and Expectations

• With rising electrical, coal, water/sewer and natural gas costs it is of the utmost importance to attempt to control these costs. This role will control utility utilization to the greatest possible savings without disruption of the living/learning/ environment.
• Utility monitoring and energy conservation
• Thorough understanding of the capabilities of the systems and components that are in place. Develop control strategies that consider the interactions of all systems and components in order to achieve the desired results.
• Maintain knowledge of the capabilities of our systems and components and implement new advances being made and other improvement alternatives through ongoing training.
• Equipment or asset protection and useful life utilization
• Protect the University’s investment in buildings and capital equipment through continuous monitoring. Implement operating and shut down strategies that do not negatively impact the building and systems.
• Daily log of alarms, calls, and campus maintenance activities
• Maintain accurate and detailed daily log of activities of important events to allow us to quickly identify problems, verify resolutions, and verify the proper execution of our system control strategies.
• Maintain a daily log for locked out pieces of equipment and on-going work.
• System monitoring and proactive maintenance trouble shooting
• Make proactive decisions concerning when and how to direct employees to potential trouble calls. Monitor, diagnose, dispatch, and verify resolutions to problems in a timely and cost-effective manner.
• Point of contact for HVAC trouble calls (24 hours a day - 7 days a week)
• Manage all calls for hot or cold work orders. Collect initial information and attempt to correct problems remotely. Notify the appropriate technician to the building to investigate and correct issues.
• Utility interruption calendar and e-mail notification
• Update and maintain the utility (Steam, electricity, chilled water, domestic water, sewer, etc.) interruption calendar on a daily basis. Send out an email notification to customers before the interruption occurs.
• Access control into and security monitoring of Power Plant, coal yard and substation
• Provide security around the yard and other designated secured spaces.
• Provide an effective and secure learning/teaching environment for our students and faculty
• Provide an environment of acceptable temperature, humidity, noise level, contaminant levels, and safety to allow for effective living/earning to occur.

Supervisory Relationships

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to BSC Manager.

Experience and Education

• A High School Graduate or GED is necessary.
• At least 2 years of experience in HVAC work or in a call center/dispatch center is necessary.
• Experience monitoring alarms is preferred.

Skills and Certifications

• Knowledge and experience with Simplex, Honeywell, Automated Logix, and Johnson Controls is preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Outlook and Excel is preferred.
• Good communication skills is required.
• Ability to work well under pressure is required.