Assistant Plant Manager

East Energy Renewables; Farmville (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

East Energy Renewables seeks an Assistant Plant Manager to oversee biomass power generation operations and personnel. The role focuses on achieving safety, environmental, and production goals for a biomass-fired plant, with oversight of boiler operation and turbine systems.

The APM coordinates with the Plant Manager, ensures data accuracy in CMMs, and leads maintenance and training activities while maintaining strict safety standards. Availability for varied shifts is expected.

Qualifications

• BS Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or 7+ years’ experience in a solid/fueled or biomass plant.
• Hands-on operation and maintenance of steam generators and biomass boilers.
• Valid driver license and respirator certification.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, manuals and drawings.

Responsibilities

• Communicate status of the plant with junior and senior personnel.
• Work closely with Plant Manager and coordinate maintenance activities.
• Input data into plant CMMs (Fix) and Ignition systems.
• Evaluate and maintain proper operation of all machinery.
• Direct and coordinate maintenance activities.
• Train, mentor and coach junior subordinates.
• Follow Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) program and safety procedures.
• Operate distributed control systems (DCS) and PLCs to control boilers, turbines, and equipment.

Skills

Plant operations

Safety management

Team leadership

Alarm management

Communication

Education

BS Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

MS Office

MS Teams

MS Word

MS Excel

DCS/HMI systems

Job description

• Valid driver license.

Assistant Plant Manager (APM)

The APM is under the general direction of the Plant Manager. The APM manages all plant personnel, meeting all safety, environmental and production goals of a poultry litter/biomass fired power generating plant. They have extensive knowledge of the operation and maintenance required for a biomass fired boiler and related balance of its equipment as well as the associated turbine generator set.

Work Environment: Typically spends 50% of time in an operations field environment. May need to work outside occasionally in inclement weather conditions.

Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including allergens, dust, fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, rotating machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work temperatures, slippery surfaces, water and electrical hazards.

Physical Demands: Standing 25%, Sitting 50%, Walking 25%. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, fingers and arms and to speak and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel or crouch and enter confined spaces (permitted). The employee will be routinely required to use ladders or stairs. The employee must lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Specific abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process upset conditions and alarms. The employee will be required, while on every shift, to climb stairs spanning several stories to reach sections of the plant.

Scope & Responsibilities

• Ability to communicate (verbally, electronically, and in writing) frequently and clearly with junior and senior personnel on the status of the plant and plant personnel
• Ability to work closely with the Plant Manger
• Ability to input data into plant CMMs (Fix) and Ignition systems
• Ability to evaluate and maintain proper operation of all machinery
• Ability to direct coordinate maintenance activities
• Evaluate junior subordinates and able to successfully act as a trainer, mentor and coach
• Complete knowledge/demonstrated ability of Lock Out Tag Out (LOTO) program and is willing to follow program without exception
• Follows and promotes standard and established practices, refers to operation and service manuals to evaluate and maintain proper operation of all machinery
• Ability to efficiently operate distributed control systems (DCS) to control boilers, steam turbines, and their ancillary equipment
• Ability to efficiently operate various PLC systems
• Ability to solve complex problems in a timely manner pertaining to the operation of the power plant equipment
• Monitors and records pressures, temperatures, and fuel consumption on the operating equipment
• Identifies and informs appropriate individuals of symptoms requiring maintenance action
• Has knowledge to ensure the safe operating condition of machinery and takes immediate corrective action should unsafe conditions exist
• May be required to obtain a certification to wear a full-face respirator
• Performs and promotes work in a safe manner according to established safety procedures and reports or rectifies any unsafe conditions
• Displays willingness to work in a team environment and follow directions and instructions from members of management
• Must be present and ready to begin working at the designated time
• Must be available to work scheduled or unscheduled overtime, as required
• Must be willing and able to work holidays, nights and weekends
• Must have ability to interface diplomatically with other employees and the public
• Ability to hear and understand audible alarms, detect changes in noise levels of rotating equipment and portable radio communication
• Must be present and ready to begin working at the designated time
• Must be available to work scheduled or unscheduled overtime, as required
• Must be willing and able to work holidays, nights and weekends
• Must have ability to interface diplomatically with other employees and the public
• Ability to hear and understand audible alarms, detect changes in noise levels of rotating equipment and portable radio communication

Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• BS Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering OR 7 plus years’ experience in a solid fueled or biomass power generating plant displaying increasing levels of responsibility.
• Extensive hands‑on experience in the operation and maintenance of steam generators, specifically solid fuel boilers.
• Valid driver license.
• You must possess or can obtain a certificate to wear a full-faced respirator.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, manuals and drawings, and procedures
• Ability to interpret and react to alarm management systems
• Working knowledge of the maintenance of daily plant logs
• Familiar with distributed control systems (DCS) and human machine interfaces (HMI’s) controlling complex systems
• Familiar with/demonstrated ability to use MS Office, MS Teams, MS Word, and MS Excel
• Must have experience with sound safety practices using hand tools and power equipment related to job assignments
• Able to work various shift assignments to support plant operations
• Ability to hear and understand audible alarms, detect changes in noise levels of rotating equipment and portable radio communication
• The ability to lift heavy equipment (up to 50 lbs.) and carry materials up and downstairs.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Training on the operation of boiler/turbine DCS controls,
• General power plant heat transfer theory and Fluid Flow or related training
• Training in preventative maintenance and best practices