Boiler Operator (Steam Plant Operator)

NE Renewable Power is made up of 7 Biomass electric generating power stations located in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. These stations play a crucial role in supplying locally sourced renewable energy to the people of New England. Sprague brings over 150 years of energy operating experience to the operations of these facilities, and we’re hiring a Boiler Operator for the Tamworth, NH location.

Who we are:

Sprague takes a collaborative, customer-centric approach to providing best-in-class energy products and related services throughout the Northeast. Founded in 1870, we pride ourselves on offering customers the expert solutions and high-quality service that help their businesses thrive in any market landscape. Sprague values innovation, safety, integrity and people. We know that our people are what set us apart from our competition, and we work hard to make sure each employee across our 20+ locations knows how important they are to our community.

We offer great benefits! Medical benefits and retirement contributions start on your first day!

- 401(k) Traditional and Roth plans with employer match of 100% of the first 6% of the employee’s contribution

- Defined Contribution Plan with an automatic 2.6% contribution from Sprague

- Paid Volunteer Time

- Tuition reimbursement

- Choice of high deductible and PPO Health Plans to fit your individual needs

- Wellness Program

Our Steam Plant Operator (SPO) conducts day-to-day operations and routine preventative maintenance of the power plant. This includes the daily operation, monitoring and documentation of the various plant process components and field instruments, from the field, in order to access proper operational function. The SPO must be capable of understanding and monitoring the normal operation of plant processes and be proficient in identifying and performing corrective action to process components to maintain or return the system(s) to proper operation. The SPO must be able to operate, or willing to learn to operate, the Programable Logic Control (PLC)-based control system as well as field PLC controls, manipulate start-stop functions and the emergency shutdown controls and interfaces. We are looking for a candidate who has the ability to perform preventive maintenance, basic mechanical repairs, and communicate with the Control Room Operator if further support is needed.

Major Duties / Responsibilities:

- Start-up, operate, shutdown and secure equipment under normal and emergency conditions in the field.

- Willingness to train in ARC flash protection and safety protocol and become OSHA qualified and trained for electrical circuit breaker operation and company policy.

- Troubleshoot and perform preventative maintenance and basic level mechanical tasks as directed.

- Ensure all plant rounds are completed for the inspections of all facility machinery for malfunctions and / or potential failures.

- Maintain all logs and records as required to record complete operating conditions for the facility and report any irregularities.

- Understand and assist in the performance of facility water chemistry tests and control treatment chemicals within recommended limits. Repair and calibrate equipment as required.

- Identify hazardous and/or unsafe conditions or work practices, notify supervisor and take action to correct as required.

- Controls, monitors and evaluates plant production equipment and output including efficiency and related variables (e.g., heat rate, cost/unit of production, system demands and capabilities given various circumstances) and the overall effectiveness of operation practices and procedures.

- Monitor process variable feedback from controls (temperature, pressure, flow, etc.) for long term variances from normal trends and responds to the variances and issues instructions to ensure continued safe, reliable, and cost-effective power generation from the facility, while maintaining environmental standards.

- Be able to perform and ensure the routine preventive maintenance of components associated with ash removal, boiler and fuel systems, valves, pumps and other system components.

- Develops operating and maintenance procedures to ensure consistent and safe operation.

- Conduct or assist in scheduled and forced outage maintenance work.

- Supervise, coordinate or assist contractors performing work at the facility.

- Comply with all Facility Environmental, Health and Safety policies and programs.

- Maintain logs and/or records of problems, repairs, and downtime as required.

- Participate in committees and task forces as required for plant operations and improvements.

- Assist in the implementation and upkeep on the overall preventative maintenance and spare parts inventory tracking system.

- Act as a team member with all employees; comply with all NE Renewable Power policies and procedures.

- Provide guidance to lesser experienced operations personnel.

- Other duties as assigned by supervision.

Education / Experience / Skill Requirements:

- High school diploma or equivalent

- Technical education or 1-2 years’ experience working at a power plant, millwright or equivalent or mechanical experience

- Familiarity with PLC based controls or similar is a plus.

- Valid driver's license

- Must have basic computer skills, including data entry

- Must possess basic math skills

- Good verbal communications skills are essential

- Must be proficient with the use of power and precision tools.

- Must be cooperative with those he/she contacts in this work and can work without direct supervision.

- Must know the hazards involved and the safety precautions to be practiced in the operation and maintenance of power plant equipment and machinery.

- Must work within and ensure strict adherence to all safety practices and procedures.

- Must be a committed team member and be able to pool our knowledge and energy to work in tandem to completely understand and productively respond to all business challenges.

Work Environment: Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.

- Protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, respirator air masks (tight seal), ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves, high voltage protective equipment and other equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties.

- 80% of work is performed indoors, 20% outdoors.

- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.

- The inside power plant environment can have high ambient temperatures as well as very hot surfaces with exposure risks to steam, hot water and other high pressure/high temperature/high decibel level process’s.

- Noise in the work environment is moderate to high.

- Respond to plant emergencies/call-ins (day or night) on holidays or weekends as applicable.

- There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.

Physical requirements commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job:

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

- Must be able to work on your feet for extensive periods, stair and ladder climbing, and routinely lifting 50 pounds.

- Must be physically capable of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to half and full-face respirators, fall protection equipment, hard hats, safety shoes, safety glasses, etc.

- Must be able to work in elevated areas, confined spaces and in extreme heat and cold conditions.

- Perform repetitive motions as required.

- Ability to hear and understand audible alarms, detect changes in noise levels of equipment.

- All employees are required to pass pre-employment screenings including a physical examination, pulmonary function test, OSHA respirator questionnaire, audiometric test, drug screen, motor vehicle verification, and background check.

- Post-employment screenings include an annual audiogram and respirator (tight seal) fit testing.

Sprague is an EEO/AA employer. We strongly encourage minorities, females, Vets and individuals with disabilities to apply.

As a federal contractor we adhere to OFCCP employment regulations. Click here for OFCCP compliance information

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.