Operations Manager

NAES has an excellent opportunity for an experienced Operations Manager to support a 45MW biomass facility in northern California. The Operations Manager reports directly to the Assistant Plant Manager and is responsible for the safe and efficient operation and management of staff at the generating plant. The Operations Manager provides direct supervision and leadership to the operations group ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the facility.

- Directs plant operations and operating personnel to ensure that generating requirements and plant efficiency are maintained, and that 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.

- Constantly reviews and improves operational processes and ensures that operating personnel are properly trained and adhere to established procedures and standards in accordance with prudent industry practices.

- 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 a 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.

- Assures 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.

Job Requirements

- Thorough, demonstrated understanding of plant operations, with strong knowledge of generating equipment, biomass fired boilers, and water treatment processes.

- Ability to analyze and improve operations business processes, utilizing information about market dynamics and competitors' processes and achievements.

- Working knowledge of operations and engineering functions and their interrelation to maintenance.

- Demonstrated skill in planning, coordinating and directing varied programs and tasks directly effecting the overall plant operation.

- Ability to plan, coordinate and direct varied programs and tasks directly involved with the maintenance component of the plant, but directly influencing the entire plant operation.

- Understanding of accounting systems as it relates to work orders.

- Experience with accounting practices as it relates to analyzing cost impacts to budget.

- Ability to analyze and improve maintenance business processes, utilizing information about market dynamics and competitors' processes and achievements.

- Strong oral and written communication skills.

- Understanding of Risk-Based Asset Management (RBAM) strategies.

- Solid knowledge of plant engineering and plant maintenance functions and how they relate to operations and income.

- Ability to work shifts and extra/irregular hours and to work under unusual and special conditions that can arise in a biomass fired generation plant.

- Proficient in the use of MS applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint in a Windows environment. Extensive experience with computer-based maintenance management programs and Internet.

- Ability to pass respirator fit tests to always use respiratory protective equipment or self-contained breathing apparatus.

Physical Requirements

- Be able to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time.

- Be able to climb ladders up and down multiple times a day

- Must be able to lift to 50#.

- Must be able to tolerate noise typical of an operating power plant site.

- Must always wear appropriate PPE.

Education / Experience

- High School Diploma or equivalent and knowledge and capabilities typically acquired through at least 6 years supervisory experience in a solid fuel fired power plant, or

- Associate degree or industry-recognized certificate (i.e., the completion of a core group of course designated by the institution) in a related discipline is preferred and knowledge and capabilities typically acquired through at least 4 years supervisory experience in a solid fuel fired power plant, or

- Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 3 years supervisory experience in a solid fuel fired power plant.

- Advanced consideration will be given to applicants who have experience with wood fired boiler and steam turbine generator operating experience.