Co-Generation Engineer

Review of Applications Begins

July 7, 2025; open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

To be considered for this position, submit a complete application that includes an online application, cover letter, and resume addressing how you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications, and describe any transferable skills you may have.

All applications must be submitted here to be considered, https://careers.uoregon.edu/en-us/job/535543/cogeneration-engineer

Department Summary

Campus Planning and Facilities Management (CPFM) is a vibrant unit within the Finance and Administration portfolio. CPFM is comprised of five departments, and approximately 270 employees: Facilities Services, Utilities & Energy, Campus Planning, Office of Sustainability, and Design & Construction. CPFM is responsible for planning, building, maintaining, and operating the infrastructure that supports the University. As stewards of a physical legacy, CPFM enables the university community to achieve its potential by providing a campus that is safe, clean, beautiful, inspiring, and environmentally responsible.

CPFM values its commitment to collaboration, service excellence, diversity, problem-solving, and stewardship. CPFM takes pride in the campus’ ability to function seamlessly, while fostering an environment for educational excellence.

Utilities and Energy (U&E) provides steam, chilled water, electricity, and other district energy services to the University of Oregon’s main campus in Eugene, Oregon. Our team is comprised of approximately 25 diverse and specialized staff including utility electricians, co-generation engineers, maintenance technicians, and administrative staff. Our Central Power Station is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Major assets that we operate, maintain, and repair include:

o 10MW combined heat and power (CHP) plant
o 2 industrial natural gas fired boilers
o 7,500 ton chilled water plant
o 3 million gallon thermal energy storage tank
o 6.5MW emergency power generation
o 4 miles of distribution tunnels with connections to more than 80 buildings
o Instrumentation and controls

We work closely with Design and Construction, Facilities Services, Safety and Risk Services, the Sustainability Office, Research and Innovation, Information Services, Housing, and our local utility providers to deliver safe, reliable, cost and energy efficient utilities to the University of Oregon.

Position Summary

This position serves as the Utilities and Energy campus wide operator/dispatcher for the University of Oregon, and acts a as the point of contact for utility distribution issues at the University of Oregon. This position will safely operate the UO steam plant, which consists of two high-pressure saturated steam boilers with the combined capacity of 125,000 lbs per hour; One Combined Cycle Co-Generation plant (CTG/HRSG) capable of generating 7.5 MW (Gas Turbine) and 65,000 lbs of 600-psi steam: 3.5 MW (Steam Turbine). It will also operate the UO chilled water plant that consists of (5) electric centrifugal chillers with capacity of 7,500 tons of cooling with the additional 3 million gallon thermal tank, 18 cooling towers, pumps and associated equipment. The operator is responsible for the distribution of the 12,470 Volt electrical load to the UO campus buildings, and will assist with configuring the plant to “Island Mode” if loss of power occurs from EWEB. The incumbent is responsible for regulating access, providing training, maintaining the operation, and monitoring all work performed in the UO utility distribution tunnel system. This position monitors BAS (building automation system) alarms, and controls within the UO steam plant, and chiller plant, and building HVAC system. The incumbent in this role must maintain the skills necessary for the ever-changing technology based automation systems, by training and learning daily. The incumbent will be expected to complete preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on all power plant, and building equipment.

Interactions/contacts:
Interactions/contacts occur daily with CPFM and the campus community in the course of performing work and responding to emergencies. This position works with electrical and maintenance staff within the Utilities and Energy Department on a daily basis. This position will also be in contact with outside contractors, vendors and regulatory agencies (LRAPA and DEQ).

Decisions:
Position works as a member of a team. Decisions made by this position affect the entire University. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining a continuous flow of electricity, steam, chilled water and other utilities to the University in normal and emergency situations. Additional job-related decisions may include: when to start or stop equipment, interpreting equipment data and applying corrective actions.

Supervision:
Work is reviewed regularly by the Operations Supervisor to ensure it is performed efficiently, safely, and meets both expectations and applicable requirements. A performance appraisal is conducted annually.

Work Schedule:
This position works Non-Typical hours/shifts and is classified as Essential Personnel

Guidelines:
This position must work within the Federal, State, local and the University of Oregon rules and regulations, including maintaining compliance with permits, working within regulations, and performing duties in a safe manner.

 

Requirements

Special Requirement:
It is an essential requirement of this position to qualify for and maintain UO driver's certification eligibility, which includes maintaining an Oregon driver’s license throughout employment in this position.

Minimum Requirements

Completed Boiler and Turbine Operator apprenticeship or equivalent combination of education and experience to include knowledge of turbine generators, centrifugal absorption chillers, high pressure boilers and related technical systems involving electrical, steam, and refrigeration.

Position requires valid Oregon driver's license and acceptable driving record.

Professional Competencies

• Perform duties in a way that advances and supports the mission of the department and university.
• Work effectively in a diverse team environment and create effective relationships for problem solving and positive interactions.
• Take initiative, looking for what needs to be done and doing it.
• Actively look for ways to improve the plant or procedures.
• Pay close attention to detail.
• Maintain a safe and safety-conscious workplace.
• Maintain a respectful workplace and model a positive and proactive attitude.
• Model the highest ethical standards.
• Provide superior customer service.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience operating high pressured boilers of 100 psi or greater.
• Experience operating Industrial chillers of 1000 tons or greater.
• Experience operating steam turbines.
• Experience working around high voltage equipment and lines.
• Knowledge or some background with Gas turbines and heat recovery boilers.
• Knowledge or some background with utility distribution ideally steam and chill water.
• Knowledge or some background with maintenance of Boilers, Chillers, Air compressors, DA Tanks, RO units, Pumps, and valves.
• Experience with software similar to Factory Talk, Siemens, PME software, Milestone Cameras and CMMS software such as AiM.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook and Zoom Software.

FLSA Exempt: No