Energy Distribution Operations Manager
University of South Carolina | Columbia Campus (Richland County)
District Heating District Cooling High-Voltage Distribution
Lead the teams that keep steam, chilled water, and high-voltage power flowing reliably across a major research university campus.
The University of South Carolina is hiring an Energy Distribution Operations Manager to run day-to-day operations of the energy distribution steam crew, chilled water distribution crew, and high voltage shop. This is a hands-on managerial role focused on large central utility systems—not building-level HVAC.
Why this role exists
Campus district energy systems must deliver heating and cooling at scale, on schedule, and safely. Failures in steam or chilled-water distribution affect research labs, classrooms, residence halls, and health-science facilities. This position owns the distribution side: pipes, valves, vaults, pumps, high-voltage infrastructure, contractor coordination, preventive maintenance, and the safety culture that keeps crews productive.
Core responsibilities
- Supervise steam/chilled-water distribution and high-voltage shops; provide daily leadership and work direction.
- Plan and schedule crew work and projects; coordinate in-house teams and contractors on campus energy and infrastructure jobs.
- Monitor the university’s energy distribution system through reports and field data; identify operational inconsistencies and recommend corrective action.
- Manage utility repair and capital-renewal projects (energy conservation, distribution piping/equipment, systems) through planning, design, bidding, construction, installation, renovation, and repair.
- Build and run a strong preventive-maintenance program that protects distribution assets; set capital-renewal priorities and cost estimates.
- Develop, implement, and oversee safety programs for high-voltage and steam/chilled-water teams: risk assessments, job-hazard analyses, required training (electrical safety, arc flash, lockout/tagout, confined space, hot work, trenching/excavation), field audits, incident investigation, and metrics.
- Maintain compliance with campus Energy Distribution standards while supporting building comfort; review and recommend policy updates.
Skills that matter for district heating and cooling
This job rewards people who already understand large central steam and chilled-water distribution, not just plant-room equipment.
Technical
- Thorough knowledge of application and practices for large central steam (district heating) and chilled-water (district cooling) distribution systems and associated HVAC mechanical systems.
- Working knowledge of high-voltage systems and equipment.
- Working knowledge of direct digital control (DDC) / energy-management systems.
- Ability to read, write, and interpret complex technical plans, drawings, and reports.
- Experience identifying system inconsistencies (flow, pressure, temperature, electrical) and driving corrective work.
Operational and leadership
- Supervisory experience in an energy-related field or business.
- Planning, scheduling, and contractor coordination on utility and infrastructure work.
- Preventive-maintenance program design and capital-renewal prioritization with budget estimates.
- Multitasking across concurrent, resource-constrained jobs while aligning work to departmental goals.
- Assessing training needs and building crew capability in energy best practices.
- Fact-based decision-making and clear communication with management, trades, and contractors.
Safety (non-negotiable)
- Ability to stand up and run comprehensive safety programs covering electrical/arc-flash hazards, LOTO, confined space, hot work, and excavation/trenching.
- Field audits, incident/near-miss investigation, documentation, and a proactive safety culture.
Minimum qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 5+ years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of job-related certification, training, education, and experience.
- Valid driver’s license.
Preferred
- High school diploma plus 10 years in a specialized trade, diversified building/vehicle maintenance, or construction, with supervisory experience in an energy-related field.
What USC offers
Health and life insurance, retirement programs, paid tuition, dependent scholarships, annual and sick leave, 13 paid holidays (including an extended December holiday), paid parental leave, and professional-development opportunities.
How to apply
Official applications only through the USC applicant portal. Applications accepted through October 5, 2026.
Apply here: https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/211993
Posting number: STA00635PO26
Required with the application: list of references and contact information. Resume and cover letter are optional but recommended. Offers are based on the education and work history entered in the university application (including dates), not the resume alone.
Pay: $57,779.00 - $86,669.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- Do you have a valid driver's license?
- Do you have a High School diploma and 10 years professional experience in a specialized trades area; or in diversified building or vehicle maintenance, or construction activity?
- Do you have supervisory experience in an energy related field or business?
- Do you have a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 5 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
Work Location: In person
