Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.
Missing levels within the leveling matrix can be added based on business need.

The Utilities Control Center Operations Supervisor provides leadership for the University's centralized Utilities Control Room, directing real-time monitoring and tactical decision-making across the full portfolio of utilities systems; ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of steam, electricity, chilled water, potable water, wastewater, and stormwater services supporting campus operations, research environments, residence halls, and critical infrastructure; serves as the central command authority during routine and emergent events; supervises Control Room Operators and provides information to Plant personnel; ensures strict compliance with all applicable regulatory and governance standards, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• Direct real-time operations across all monitored utilities systems, ensuring adherence to established procedures and operational discipline
• Lead multi-utility alarm triage, situational assessment, and coordinated response with plant operations, field personnel, engineering, and emergency partners
• Serve as the central communication hub for utilities operations, maintenance activities, outages, and external coordination with municipalities and public utilities
• Ensure timely escalation of system conditions and operational decisions to Utilities Supervisors, leadership, OT/IT, and emergency response partners in the event of an emergency
• Maintain accurate operational logs, event tracking, inspection coordination, and structured shift handovers to ensure continuity of operations
• Implement and maintain the Utilities Control Room governance framework, including SOPs, Emergency Operating Plans (EOPs), alarm response guidance, and documentation standards
• Ensure consistent execution of procedures and documentation practices across all shifts
• Prepare for and support internal and external audits; maintain strict regulatory, environmental, and safety compliance
• Ensure operators and plant personnel are properly trained and adhere to established procedures and best practices; conduct drills to ensure emergency readiness
• Supervise and mentor Control Room personnel, establishing clear performance expectations and accountability
• Facilitate ongoing technical and procedural training to build cross-utility operational proficiency
• Reinforce console discipline, situational awareness, and error-prevention practices in a 24/7 operational environment
• Review capital projects, maintenance activities, and system upgrades to ensure operational alignment and long-term reliability
• Conduct field verifications and project walkdowns to identify operational risks and ensure integration into procedures and training
• Provide operations-focused input on design documents, commissioning plans, and system modifications across utilities domains
• Execute call-out and staffing decisions during utilities events, irregularities, and severe weather conditions
• Support the development and use of KPIs, analytics, and trend data to improve reliability and reduce nuisance alarms
• Coordinate with Utilities Supervisors across steam, electric, chilled water, water treatment, wastewater, and stormwater operations to ensure campus-wide alignment
• Adhere to Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions; participate in grievance procedures

Level:

– Senior Supervisor

Base Description:

– Supervises direct reports, but primarily completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge to perform own work; spends majority of time on tasks related to own job responsibilities. May demonstrate subject matter expertise. Demonstrates intermediate to advanced planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills. Demonstrates the ability to coach assigned employees. Assigns and reviews completed work to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards. Trains, coaches, mentors, and motivates staff. Anticipates potential problems, issues, and opportunities; researches and recommends solutions within defined policies. May develop creative recommendations for solving problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Typically oversees at least 2 full–time direct reports or equivalent team of part–time and/or student workers (for Professional track, performs work at the Senior Professional level or higher)

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets for specific area and/or grant(s)
– May assist in planning and forecasting budgets

Problem Solving:

– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies general precedents and practices and specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations and impact of potential solutions
– Anticipates potential problems and recommends possible solutions within general guidelines

Independence of Action:

– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– Organizes work of direct reports and sets team priorities
– Reviews the work of others to verify accuracy, quality, and adherence to professional standards

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Collaborates closely with team members; may interact with other staff outside of area
– Utilizes a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 13
• Minimum – $86,300.00
• MidPoint – $107,900.00
• Maximum – $129,500.00