Power Plant Operations Manager

Job Summary

The Power Plant Operations Manager is responsible for the safe and efficient operation and management of staff at the generating plant. They provide direct supervision and leadership of the operations group under the general direction of the Assistant Plant Manager. Key responsibilities include managing plant operations, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards, and maintaining positive fuel supplier relationships.

Key Accountabilities

• Directs plant operations and operating personnel to ensure generating requirements and plant efficiency are maintained, and local, state, and federal safety and operational environmental standards are met.
• Develops, implements, and manages consistent plant operating philosophies and best practices to maximize plant availability, efficiency, and productivity.
• Reviews and improves operational processes and ensures operating personnel are properly trained and adhere to established procedures and standards.
• Manages the fuel yard, including safe and efficient storage and mixing of biomass fuel, maintains positive fuel supplier relationships, and overall quality control of fuel supply.
• Manages safety and environmental compliance and reporting to federal, state, and local government authorities.
• Develops performance goals and reviews to align employee accountabilities and conduct with operational processes.
• Investigates operating abnormalities and incidents to improve equipment availability and performance and to minimize maintenance requirements.
• Prepares necessary plant operation reports in a timely manner and investigates all forced outages.
• Prepares and continually evaluates the operating department's budgets and/or makes recommendations to the Assistant Plant Manager relative to optimize Operations cost effectiveness, work quality, outage time, and capital budgets.
• Reviews and provides operational input to maintenance and assists with maintenance engineering evaluation and troubleshooting of equipment abnormalities.
• Maintains consistent and effective level of communications with Assistant Plant Manager, Maintenance Manager, Administrative staff, and O&M Technicians on shift.
• Establishes department and group goals based on market dynamics and the needs of customers, employees, the owners, and other stakeholders.
• Safeguards proper staffing, scheduling, orientation, and training of the plant staff, and manages compliance with all company policies and procedures. Recruits, interviews, and assigns Operations employment candidates.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent and at least 6 years supervisory experience in a solid fuel fired power plant, or
• Associate degree or industry-recognized certificate in a related discipline and at least 4 years supervisory experience in a solid fuel fired power plant, or
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline and at least 3 years supervisory experience in a solid fuel fired power plant.

Other Qualifications

• Wood fired boiler and Steam Turbine Generator operating experience is highly desired.
• Preferred: Solid knowledge of plant engineering and plant maintenance functions and how they relate to operations and income.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of Risk-Based Asset Management (RBAM) strategies.
• Proficient in the use of MS applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint in a Windows environment.
• Ability to pass respirator fit tests to use respiratory protective equipment or self-contained breathing apparatus at all times.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking for 8-hour shifts, including walking long distances and on uneven ground.
• Frequent climbing stairs and ladders, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and maneuvering in awkward positions.
• Frequent lifting of up to 25 pounds in weight and carrying objects of up to 25 pounds in weight. Occasional pushing or pulling of objects of up to 25 pounds in weight.
• Talking, hearing, using hands and fingers, handling and feeling, reaching with hands and arms extensively.
• Vision requirements for close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and adjusting focus.
• Regular exposure to moving mechanical parts and/or machinery and equipment with high temperatures. Exposure to protected and unprotected heights requiring the use of a personal fall protection system (harness/lifeline).
• Exposure to noise levels in the work environment that may be quiet to moderate in the office but may become loud at the plant site. Regular exposure to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, and heat and cold.
• Occasional exposure to vibration and fumes or airborne particles requiring the use of personal protective equipment including respirators; fire retardant clothing; self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), etc.

Additional Information

• Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned.
• This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision.

Privacy Notice to California Job Applicants

• We are committed to providing an inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and a sense of belonging. We seek individuals with a heart for service, a passion to help our communities prosper, and ideas to help shape the future of energy. We are proud to be an equal opportunity, employer that considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, national origin, citizenship, height, weight, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy, protected veteran status or any other status protected by applicable federal and/or state laws.