Utilities Chemist - Facilities Services - UTK

The Chemist coordinates with utility operations and designs and lays out required for the campus's chemical treatment and distribution systems for facilities and utilities, including water, HVAC, steam utilities, and the steam/power plant, under the supervision of the Assistant Director/Engineer. The Chemist contributes the development of projects required by UT's master plan, including project design, engineering estimates, and construction schedules; reviews design plans, specifications, and estimates submitted by the Department of Capital Projects; and provides chemical engineering guidance for construction budgets. This position provides chemical engineering advice to the Utility Superintendents, implements and ensures compliance with campus standards, and relies on engineering and technical knowledge and judgment to plan and accomplish tasks, using a degree of creativity and latitude. The position provides excellent customer service to internal and external customers and supports chemical and system efficiency initiatives and chemical projects on campus. The Chemist provides chemical engineering support for the planning, design, operation, maintenance, and repair of the University's utility and chemical infrastructure, including steam, hot water/heating water, and chilled water systems, as well as chemical management, chemical feed systems, and metering systems. The Chemist must be able to schedule and lead meetings with local utility providers, contractors, engineers, architects, and members of the campus community.

Responsibilities

• Engineers and oversees the installation and relocation of underground utility infrastructure and chemical feed piping with minimum impact on the University and its activities.
• Develop and coordinate preventive maintenance programs, with a strong emphasis on chemical treatment for water-based HVAC systems to sustain long-term asset health.
• Monitor HVAC piping and cooling tower system performance using building automation and fault detection software and electronic detection as well as chemical monitoring to improve efficiencies and fault detection.
• Coordinate with the Utility Director, Electrical Engineer and Energy Manager on various projects to improve efficiencies as well as review capital project design plans, assist with programming, and manage the oversight of the utility and mechanical construction of capital administered projects.
• Lead the mechanical group in planning for campus utility infrastructure for the campus and future campus building along with the chemical interaction.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety requirements, maintaining a strong safety culture and audit-ready practices.
• Provide technical evaluations and recommendations for UT Campus' Spill , Prevention , Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan,
• Reporting of EPA emissions to all reporting agency(s) on a monthly, bi-annual, and annually as required to meet regulatory agency requirements including Title V and CARES.
• Evaluate data, conduct calculations of emissions, and prepare reports.
• Oversee HVAC and thermal plant systems to maintain reliable system operations and optimize efficiency across campus utility infrastructure.
• Direct third-party water treatment vendors and service contracts, managing chemical services and coordinating specialized repair support and prepare reporting.
• Confer with other engineers or other utility personnel on utility and capital projects per the master plan. Prepare design Standards and implement water treatment programs (e.g., scale inhibitors, biocides) to control scaling, corrosion, and microbial growth with senior engineer.
• Investigate equipment failures. Diagnose faulty operations and recommend solutions.
• Evaluate and engineer mechanical designs for energy performance or environmental impact.
• Specify system components or engineer modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance standards and specifications, develop and maintain campus mechanical standards and oversee the tracking and recording of emissions for environmental regulations reporting. Reduce corrosion prevention, and sustaining energy-efficient operation of complex chilled and hot water systems.
• Monitor performance targets and KPIs such as cycles of concentration and kW/ton to reduce water consumption and energy and chemical waste.
• Propose, develop, and perform cost analysis for mechanical or electrical system improvement projects and complete documentation for bidding and to coordinate construction of the project.
• Lead and support technical staff, including supervising technicians and directing chemical technicians through training, scheduling, and performance evaluations. Coordinate the Steam Plant chemical team and treatment options, providing training, and overseeing remote chemical feed stations across campus.
• Ensure utility chemical systems meet applicable OSHA, EPA, and ASHRAE standards, with focused oversight of Legionnaires prevention protocols and refrigerant handling requirements (EPA Section 608).
• Prepare and administer contracts for mechanical systems based on mechanical engineering knowledge and principles.
• Maintain a strong compliance and safety posture by monitoring adherence to established standards and coordinating closely with Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) to address risks, documentation, and corrective actions.
• Maintain knowledge of federal, state, municipal, industry, and University codes, regulations, practices, trends, and/or guidelines as well as stay current with the latest information on electrical design, equipment and testing.
• Provide technical assistance to campus services operating Provide technical assistance to campus services operating and maintenance personnel and technical support for the operation and maintenance of the water systems utility distribution and building systems as necessary.
• Perform utility rate analyses and evaluate impacts upon the University.
• Supports modeling of UT's Chemical distribution system via engineering software.
• Evaluate and update the construction and maintenance standards of the campus utility chemical to ensure safe, compliant, and consistent practices across utility systems.
• Plan, estimate, and schedule future utility projects in collaboration with the management team and the Office of Capital Projects, aligning scope, budget, and timelines.
• Review design drawings and project documents to confirm designs meet established campus standards and operational requirements.
• Coordinate with utility superintendents to complete technical reviews, resolve constructability/operations concerns, and implement required design changes.
• Manage utility projects end-to-end, including scheduling, procurement, budget oversight, and direction of project design and execution.
• Serve as the technical lead during system failures, performing Root Cause Analysis (RCA), directing troubleshooting efforts, and coordinating emergency repairs to restore service safely and quickly.
• Support SCADA functions for control and monitoring of the campus utility and facilities electrical distribution systems.
• Seek opportunities to understand, assist and teach the technicians in the field on the chemical distribution and monitoring systems and the design of such systems.
• Interface with equipment suppliers.

Qualifications

Required Education :

• Bachelor's degree in chemical, Chemical Engineering or related degree
• Required Experience:
  • A minimum of 2 years' experience in chemical treatment or related fields.
    • Technical background and work experience that provides a comprehensive understanding of utility maintenance work and water treatment best practices.
    • Ability to take the EIT exam within 6 months.
• Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Manage, organizing and coordinating skills.
  • Ability to obtain EPA 608 universal Refrigerant License
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.
  • Knowledge of building automation systems and water treatment processes.
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations and codes applicable to chemical treatment.
  • Knowledge and understanding of utilities operations and standards as applied to a large-scale public facility.
  • Skill in the use of personal computers and related software applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.
  • Skill in the use of a computerized chemical management system.
• Other Conditions:
  • Valid Driver's license
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Education:

• Master's Degree in Engineering
  • EPA HAZWOPER 40

Preferred Experience:

• Masters degree in Engineering
• 5 years' experience in chemical/engineering or related fields.
• Strong technical background and work experience that provides a comprehensive understanding of utility or HVAC work, industry best practices, and chemical treatment.

Work Location

• University of Tennessee - Knoxville, TN Campus
• This is an on-site position

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About The College/Department/Division

UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville's largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!