Steam Plant Supervisor - #003058

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:
* 2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
* 2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
* 2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
* 2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is the Cullowhee, NC campus.

The primary purpose of the Steam Plant Supervisor is to ensure the safe, reliable, and energy-efficient operation of Western Carolina University's central Steam Plant, which operates three high-pressure water tube boilers using both natural gas and fuel oil, serving the campus 24/7/365. This role provides critical leadership in planning, assigning, and reviewing all plant operations and maintenance activities to maintain continuous 120 psi steam service for heating and domestic hot water across the University.

The position supervises a team of eight Boiler Operators. Responsibilities include coordinating daily operations, monitoring equipment performance, preparing operational and compliance reports, maintaining accurate records, ordering supplies, and managing staffing and payroll documentation.

The supervisor is key in enhancing plant performance through proactive system upgrades, implementing best energy efficiency and preventative maintenance practices, and supporting long-term infrastructure planning in collaboration with Facilities Management.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this Position: This position must know all methods, equipment, and materials used to operate, maintain, and repair a high-pressure steam plant. The supervisor must understand various water treatment systems, boiler feedwater processes, condensate return systems, and the overall layout and design of the steam distribution infrastructure. In addition to operational oversight, the position requires experience designing and installing new steam and hot water systems and updating and modernizing existing infrastructure to improve reliability and performance. A strong working knowledge of tools, equipment, and materials used for safe, cost-effective maintenance is essential. Familiarity with energy efficiency practices such as boiler tuning, steam trap surveys, heat recovery opportunities, and system optimization is also critical. The supervisor should understand basic thermodynamics and fluid dynamics as they relate to plant operations and be able to interpret technical drawings, schematics, and equipment manuals. Training should include coursework or certifications in industrial boiler operations, centrifugal pump systems, water chemistry, and safety programs, including lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and hazard communication. Knowledge of computerized control and maintenance management systems ( CMMS) is essential.

Interested candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employment sponsorship or any immigration-related assistance.

High school diploma or equivalency and four years of experience in applicable utility operations, of which one year is supervisory; or equivalent combination of training and experience. Requires certification(s).

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Reid Conway at tconway@wcu.edu

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.