Staff Information

Professional Trade Groups

Operating multiple utility plants to serve three campuses at UNL requires a diverse mix of team members, each performing critical functions to the overall operation.

Water Analyst

Maintaining appropriate water chemistry is critical to our steam / chilled water system, and the Water Analyst manages all phases of water chemistries, performing all testing and calibration of analyzing equipment. This position also works with contracted chemical manufacturers and vendors providing chemicals and services to the utility plant, and with University Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) to make sure the utility plant is in compliance with all university standards and regulations.

Electrical

The electrical staff is responsible for maintaining electrical equipment and systems within the utility plants as well as the electrical distribution systems. They work with engineers and electrical contractors in design, installation, construction, and modifications of electrical systems while adhering to local, state, and national electrical codes.

Instrumentation and Controls

Instrumentation and Controls staff are responsible for proper operation of plant control systems 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They troubleshoot, repair and calibrate utility plant control systems including those used for the automatic control of high-pressure boilers, centrifugal chillers and all associated equipment. They also maintain the utility metering system and record meter data history.

Mechanical and Maintenance

The maintenance staff is composed of pipefitters and utility maintenance technicians. They are responsible for maintaining the integrity of all mechanical systems within the utility plants as well as miles of distribution piping serving the campus' with steam and chilled water. They work closely with other plant trades as well as contractors to maintain operational reliability.

Plant Operators

Operators are responsible for overseeing the operation of high pressure boilers, turbines, chillers, and related distribution systems and equipment in a safe, reliable, economical manner in the central power plants and two remote plants. UNL utility plants maintain a 24/7 operation and require 4 shifts of operators to maintain effective coverage. These leaders also supervise, train, and evaluate plant staff and maintains required operation records and equipment readings.