Central Plant Watch Engineer | New York University – Military Veterans

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Website HERC - Metro New York & Southern Connecticut

Job Overview: Central Plant Watch Engineer (Military Veterans)

New York University (NYU) is seeking a highly experienced Central Plant Watch Engineer to oversee its critical energy infrastructure. This role is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of combined heat and power (cogeneration) and chilled water systems. As a senior technical leader, you will monitor plant performance, respond to shifting operating conditions, and supervise operations personnel to ensure continuous utility service to the campus.

This position is particularly highlighted for Military Veterans, offering a structured, high-stakes environment where technical precision and leadership are paramount.

Key Responsibilities & Shift Details

Operations & Supervision

  • System Oversight: Monitor and operate combined heat and power (CHP) and chilled water systems and all connected equipment.

  • Performance Management: Respond immediately to changes in operating conditions to maintain peak plant performance and safety.

  • Personnel Leadership: Supervise on-site operations personnel during the assigned shift to ensure high-quality standards and safety protocols.

  • Maintenance: Perform and oversee preventive maintenance routines and duties to prevent system downtime.

Shift Schedule

  • Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM.

Requirements & Qualifications

Mandatory Credentials

  • Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.

  • Licensure: Must possess a valid Refrigeration License and Steam License.

  • Experience: 10+ years of experience overseeing and maintaining combined heating, power, and chilled water systems in a professional plant setting.

Technical Skills & Abilities

  • System Knowledge: Deep understanding of CHP and chilled water systems, equipment, and optimal operating parameters.

  • Maintenance Standards: Thorough knowledge of industrial maintenance routines.

  • Communication: Good written and verbal communication skills; proficient in reading and following complex instructions in English.

  • Digital Literacy: Basic familiarity with computer applications (e.g., email, reporting software).

  • Soft Skills: A positive, collaborative attitude and the ability to work effectively within a team to meet high-quality standards.

Compensation & Benefits

  • Hourly Rate: $75.33 (In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act; based on bargaining unit contracts).

  • Base Pay: Note that this rate reflects base pay and excludes potential incentives or bonuses.

  • Sustainability Mission: Join an institution aiming for carbon neutrality by 2040.

  • Equal Opportunity: NYU is committed to equal treatment in hiring, with a strong emphasis on welcoming veterans and individuals from all protected backgrounds.

Understanding the Systems

In this role, you will be managing a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system. This is a highly efficient process that captures and utilizes the heat that is a byproduct of the electricity generation process.

By using the heat that would otherwise be wasted, these plants achieve significantly higher efficiency than traditional power plants, supporting NYU’s goal of becoming one of the greenest urban campuses in the country.

Application Process

Interested candidates should apply via the NYU Careers portal (Job ID: 2025-14700). As a veteran-friendly employer, NYU values the leadership and technical training gained through military service.

The Organization & Culture The Metro New York & Southern Connecticut Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (MNYSC HERC) is a non-profit collaborative of over 35 leading academic, medical, and cultural institutions. Established in 2006, its culture is defined by “Inclusive Excellence.” HERC operates on the belief that a diverse workforce is essential to the academic mission. In 2026, the consortium acts as a high-tech bridge between elite institutions and job seekers, focusing heavily on removing systemic barriers in recruitment. The environment is one of professional collaboration, where human resources experts and faculty relations leaders from competing universities work together to share best practices and talent pipelines.

The Locations: A Regional Hub MNYSC HERC covers a broad and prestigious geographic footprint, providing a centralized gateway for careers in:

  • New York City: Including all five boroughs.

  • Southern Connecticut: Reaching through the Fairfield and New Haven corridors.

  • Long Island & Hudson Valley: Spanning from the tip of Montauk to the mid-Hudson region.

  • The Lead Institution: Columbia University currently serves as the lead administrative home for the region, with the regional office often integrated into Columbia’s Office of the Provost or Institutional Equity in Manhattan.

Workplace & Academic Highlights (2026)

  • The 2026 “HERConnect” Community: A major feature this year is the full integration of HERConnect, a members-only online community of practice. It allows recruitment professionals at member schools to access “Virtual Recruitment Toolkits” and “Search Committee Training” designed to reduce unconscious bias in the 2026 hiring cycle.

  • Dual-Career Support (The “Partner” Factor): HERC’s “claim to fame” is its Dual Career Network. In 2026, this is a critical tool for NYC-area recruitment. When a university hires a top-tier professor, HERC helps find a suitable professional role for their spouse or partner within the consortium, significantly increasing “yield” for high-level faculty searches.

  • 2026 Job Board Stats: * The HERC regional board consistently hosts over 3,000–5,000 active listings specifically for the Metro NY/S. CT area.

    • It covers everything from tenure-track faculty and post-doctoral associates to executive leadership and administrative staff.

  • Key Member Institutions (2026): * The “Founding Trio”: Columbia University, New York University (NYU), and Yale University.

    • Broad Network: Also includes the American Museum of Natural History, Fordham University, Pratt Institute, Rockefeller University, and various CUNY and SUNY campuses.

  • Strategic Career Advice: In 2026, HERC has launched a “Career Growth” series titled “Moving Up Without Moving On,” which provides staff with strategies for lateral moves and skill-based growth within the NYC higher-ed ecosystem.

Strategic Values: “Diversifying the Pipeline”

  • 2026 Workforce Development Goal: An overwhelming 97% of HERC leaders in 2026 have identified workforce development as their #1 priority. This includes a push for “Fast-Track Credentialing” and better alignment between academic research and industry needs in the NY/CT region.

  • Veteran & Diversity Outreach: HERC maintains deep partnerships with organizations like RecruitMilitary and various Hispanic and Black professional associations to ensure that job postings reach a truly diverse candidate pool.

  • The “East Coast Collaborative”: MNYSC HERC is a founding member of the East Coast HERC Regional Collaborative, which allows for cross-regional networking between New York, New England, and the Mid-Atlantic (NJ/PA/DE) regions.

To apply for this job please visit www.hercjobs.org.