Job Details

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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas 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 Americas 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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems 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 Universitys 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