Jobs at Western

Chief Engineer

Apply now Work type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: Business and Financial Affairs

Position Title Chief Engineer
About the University Western Washington University, with over 16,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western is the highest-ranking public, master's-granting university in the Pacific Northwest, according to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings. Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.
About the Department The Facilities Development & Operations Department supports Western's mission, which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
About the Position

The Chief Engineer position is responsible for the 24 hour, 7 days (24/7) per week operation of Western’s large and complex Steam Plant facility and all associated auxiliary systems. The system is fueled by natural gas, has a combined total steam peak capacity of 265 lbs. per hour, and is the source of space heating and domestic water heating for 95% of the large buildings on main campus. This steam generation capacity is spread over 5 boilers varying in size from 100,000 lbs. per hour to 15,000 lbs. per hour and is delivered at 100 psi, and 355ºF. The facility also produces compressed air for HVAC control and limited tool use and contains backup electric generators, fuel oil system with underground storage tanks. The Chief position has the responsibility and final authority for the operation, safety, welfare, and maintenance of the Steam Plant facility.`

Duties and Responsibilities include:

  • Coordinate and maintain the operation of the Steam Plant on a 24/7 schedule.
  • Staff Supervision
  • Plant Performance Monitoring
  • Strategic Planning
  • Construction Management
  • After Hours Call Back Management
Required Qualifications
  • Have had at one time a State/City Stationary Engineer’s license class “Supervisory” or equivalent from a jurisdiction of authority such as First Assistant Engineer or higher through the US Coast Guard.
  • Four years of supervisory experience with steam plant operations including feed water systems, coal, gas, fuel oil fired high-pressure boiler systems and all auxiliary equipment, combustion controls and safety devices.
  • Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • Must know and comply with boiler and pressure vessel laws of the State of Washington,
  • Ability to communicate clearly using written, graphic, and verbal means.
  • Ability to read and understand written information and instructions.
  • Physically perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation. 
Preferred Qualifications
  • Have had at one time a State/City Stationary Engineering license class “Chief” or equivalent from jurisdiction of authority such as Chief Engineer through the US Coast Guard.
  • Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering or related field (Marine, Industrial, Mechanical).
  • Demonstrated experience working with other trades or disciplines.
  • Demonstrated experience with steam driven feed water pumps.
  • Demonstrated experience with steam plant improvements, upgrades and retrofitting.
  • Demonstrated experience with local governing authorities including emission air quality.
  • Demonstrated experience with pneumatic and DDC control systems.
  • Demonstrated experience in performance trending through electronic databases.
Conditions of Employment All employees must comply with our Immunization policies, including Proof of Rubeola Measles Immunity within 60-days of hire. Please reach out to HR@wwu.edu if you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary   $7,327 - $8,295/month depending on qualifications and experience.
Benefits Information Benefits Overview for Classified Positions
Bargaining Unit This position is part of bargaining unit E and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Washington Federation of State Employees.
Application Instructions

Application materials should address your experience related to the position responsibilities and the required and preferred qualifications.
Closing Date Notes

Application review begins April 16, 2024; position is open until filled.

Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation. Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu

WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services, 360.650.3303 or 711 (Washington Relay).

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services at vpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at: Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes a sexual misconduct background check.

Job no: 501541
Advertised: Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:

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