Job Summary

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, Energy & Utilities, the Associate Director - Central Plant & Energy Services leads Central Plant operations and the university's energy services program. The role provides independent management and supervisory oversight for the safe, reliable, efficient, and sustainable delivery of electricity, heating, and cooling across a multi-site campus of 197 acres, 80 buildings, and more than six million gross square feet. The incumbent directs personnel, budgets, maintenance and asset-management programs, energy-efficiency initiatives, contracts, regulatory compliance, and emergency response for complex utility infrastructure. Working across Facilities Development & Operations and with campus leaders, customers, vendors, and agencies, the role shapes service strategy, operational priorities, capital planning, and continuous improvement.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day Central Plant operations, maintenance, and repair for cogeneration, chiller, boiler, high-voltage, steam, condensate, chilled-water, and related utility systems.
• Establish work priorities, allocate labor and contracted resources, and manage work orders, preventive maintenance, trouble calls, repairs, and customer-funded work through the computerized maintenance management system.
• Develop and oversee energy-efficiency and sustainability initiatives, including audits, retro-commissioning, controls upgrades, lighting and HVAC retrofits, specification reviews, and project handoff.
• Build and execute asset maintenance and management plans; assess asset criticality, condition, lifecycle risk, performance metrics, and renewal or replacement needs.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, procurement, tools, materials, equipment, service contracts, and financial inputs to utility rate, sub-metering, energy-efficiency, and capital plans.
• Lead and develop multidisciplinary staff through recruitment, training, coaching, performance evaluation, scheduling, employee engagement, safety oversight, and corrective action.
• Develop scopes of work, operating procedures, project recommendations, and technical reviews; oversee contractors, inspect work, and implement maintenance, repair, and renewal projects.
• Cultivate customer and stakeholder relationships, communicate outages and service levels, advise leadership on sensitive issues, and represent the unit on committees and in industry associations.
• Direct emergency preparedness and business continuity planning, and serve as a department point of contact for mitigation, response, and recovery activities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of central plant operations and utility infrastructure, including cogeneration, chillers, boilers, steam, chilled water, and electrical distribution systems.
• Knowledge of energy-efficiency retrofits, retro-commissioning, sustainability practices, and energy project development and implementation.
• Working knowledge of applicable building, energy, safety, and federal and local codes; public contracting requirements; and emergency-response practices.
• Expertise in maintenance planning, preventive maintenance, service-level management, computerized maintenance management systems, and resource-loaded scheduling.
• Ability to recruit, train, supervise, coach, evaluate, and engage employees in a unionized, multidisciplinary work environment.
• Proficiency in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, fiscal management, procurement, and interpretation of operating reports.
• Strong project, program, and asset-management skills, including lifecycle planning, risk analysis, condition assessment, quality control, and performance measurement.
• Ability to define complex problems, analyze technical and financial data, draw sound conclusions, and implement practical service improvements.
• Excellent written, oral, consultative, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships and deliver responsive customer service.
• Ability to use digital and emerging technologies ethically to support operations and data-informed decisions.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction technology, facilities management, business or a related field OR which may be obtained through equivalent experience such as might be attained through five years of supervisory experience in management of maintenance and/or construction of central plant or related facilities, of which a minimum of three years is associated with progressively responsible experience.
• Five years of project management, program administration or supervisory experience within multi-faceted facilities/utilities maintenance organization of which three years may be obtained through equivalent educational experience such as graduate studies culminating in a degree in engineering, construction technology.
• Experience with computer programs and related equipment used for facilities/utility/energy maintenance management, building automation, and/or project management.

 

License

A valid driver's license is required for this position. Out of state candidates selected for the position must obtain a State of California driver's license within 10 days of hire in accordance with the California Department of Motor Vehicles regulations.

Once hired the employee must successfully complete the Defensive Driver Training Program provided by the State of California for California State University campuses.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters in Engineering or related field.
• EFP or CEFP certification through the Association of Physical Plant Administrators or equivalent.
• Certified Energy Manager credential through Association of Energy Engineers
• Possession of California supervisor certification for asbestos and lead related work.
• Supervisory experience within a collective bargaining and represented staff environment.
• Three years of leadership experience within a multi-faceted facilities/utilities maintenance organization.
• Knowledge of Central Plant and physical plant management related to Central Plant operations and ability to manage and prioritize technical assignments associated with facilities administration.
• Applied knowledge of building codes and other laws relating to public works.
• Proficiency in the use of computerized maintenance management systems.
• Experience working in a University

 

Compensation

Classification: Administrator II
Anticipated Hiring Range: $10,106/month - $13,334/month
CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month - $16,221/month

The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience.

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

 

 

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: August 24, 2026 through September 7, 2026. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

 

Contact Information

People and Culture
jobs@sjsu.edu

 

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

 

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

 

Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct.

 

 

 

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

 

 

 

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.