Assistant Plant Manager

PIC Group, Inc.; Woodland (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

PIC Group, Inc. is looking for an Assistant Plant Manager in California. This role leads both operations and maintenance teams to ensure the efficient operation of a solid-fuel power generation facility. Key responsibilities include planning maintenance, safety compliance, and team development.

The ideal candidate will have a strong maintenance management foundation and significant supervisory experience in a power plant environment. This is a critical position for driving performance and environmental compliance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of supervisory experience in a solid-fuel power plant preferred.
• Thorough understanding of power plant operations and maintenance functions.
• Strong knowledge of boilers and water treatment processes.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Lead maintenance planning and execution of outages.
• Collaborate on operational budgets and resource optimization.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Maintenance Management

Budget Management

Safety Compliance

Problem Solving

Education

High School Diploma

Associate Degree

Bachelor’s Degree

Tools

CMMS

Boilers

Steam Turbine Generators

Job description

Assistant Plant Manager

Position Type: Direct Hire
Location: California
Status: Exempt

Key Project Requirements

• Proven experience supporting both operations and maintenance at a solid‑fuel power plant, with strong ownership of maintenance strategy, CMMS, and outage planning/execution.
• This person will also have a demonstrated knowledge of the maintenance management function of a biomass power plant managing the planned outage activities; focused on optimization for scope, schedule, and budget.

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

Supports the fuel buyer to ensure storage and mixing of biomass fuel, maintenance of positive fuel supplier relationships through efficient disposition and overall quality control of fuel supply through fuel yard QA/QC procedures.

Demonstrated ability to lead in a lean plant environment, providing coaching‑oriented leadership to supervisors and craft while driving safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Job Summary

The Assistant Plant Manager provides leadership to both Operations and Maintenance teams to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient daily operation of a solid‑fuel power generation facility. Reporting to the Plant Manager, this role serves as a key member of the site leadership team and applies technical expertise, judgment, and collaboration to drive plant performance, compliance, and continuous improvement. This position requires a strong maintenance management foundation, including outage planning, work management, and CMMS oversight, along with the ability to support operational excellence. The APM plays a critical role in safety leadership, environmental compliance, budgeting, outage execution, and team development in a lean plant environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support and enforce all site safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements; ensure corrective actions are implemented as needed.
• Lead and support Operations and Maintenance supervisors to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant performance.
• Establish and reinforce consistent operating philosophies, procedures, and best practices.
• Oversee maintenance strategies, including preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs through the CMMS.
• Lead planning and execution of planned outages, including scope development, scheduling, and budget control.
• Investigate operating issues, equipment failures, and forced outages; implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Collaborate with the Plant Manager on operating and maintenance budgets, cost control, and resource optimization.
• Ensure proper training, qualification, and development of plant personnel.
• Support fuel handling and fuel quality programs, including coordination with fuel suppliers and yard operations.
• Prepare and review operational, maintenance, and performance reports for plant leadership.
• Promote a collaborative, coaching‑oriented culture focused on accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support plant objectives.

Job Requirements

• Thorough understanding of power plant operations and maintenance functions.
• Strong working knowledge of boilers, steam turbine generators, balance‑of‑plant systems, and water treatment.
• Proven planning and scheduling experience supporting maintenance and outage activities.
• Experience managing budgets and understanding cost impacts to plant performance.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and outages as required.
• Ability to pass respirator fit testing and work in industrial plant environments.

Education / Experience

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 5+ years of supervisory or management experience in a solid‑fuel power plant, OR
• Associate degree or industry‑recognized technical certification with 3+ years of supervisory or management experience in a solid‑fuel power plant, OR
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline with 2+ years of supervisory or management experience in a solid‑fuel power plant.
• Military leadership experience may be considered in lieu of some plant supervisory experience.
• Strong maintenance management background, including outage planning and CMMS ownership.

Compensation

Compensation Range per year: $130,000 - $175,000.