Lead RNG Plant Operator: Safe, Efficient Biogas Production

OPAL Fuels; Northville (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Short & Long Term Disability

401(k) plus Matching Contributions

Tuition Assistance

Referral Bonus

Generous Paid Time Off

Ten Paid Holidays

Job summary

OPAL Fuels is seeking a Lead Plant Operator to oversee day-to-day operations at the Emerald RNG site in Northville, MI. You will lead the operations team, coordinate maintenance, ensure safety and environmental compliance, and optimize plant performance.

The role combines technical leadership with hands-on troubleshooting, contractor coordination, and proactive safety culture development. Strong recordkeeping and reliability focus are essential.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of Renewable experience preferred.
• Must be skilled in recordkeeping and logging.
• General troubleshooting abilities.
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office).
• Must possess good mechanical skills.
• Basic electrical knowledge is preferred.
• Must be self-motivated and perform most tasks with little or no supervision.
• Working knowledge of basic unit operations and components such as pressure, temperature, and flow.
• Experience with pumps, blowers, or air compressors.
• Heavy equipment operations experience is preferred (gas compressor O&M).
• Fabrication and Basic Process Knowledge
• Must have a current and valid driver’s license, without any restrictions.

Responsibilities

• Provide plant safety leadership by stopping unsafe work, reviewing LOTO; reviewing JHA’s; bringing safety concerns to upper management, reporting incidents and near misses
• Environmental (monthly reporting; monitors composition of LFG to include H2S treatment and media sampling; reviewing compliance procedures and ensuring compliance)
• Coordinating maintenance tasks with management, vendors, and operators
• Develops and maintains operator schedules and coordinate shift coverage
• Planning outage events
• Working with third party vendors to ensure timely and efficient service
• Responding to callouts and managing the callout roster
• Covering operator shifts when necessary and callouts
• Tuning and adjusting the plant to meet production and efficiency needs
• Inventory Management and Preventative Maintenance program
• This position will be also responsible for operating, adjusting, and repairing equipment required to maximize gas plant production in a safe and environmentally compliant manner.
• Operate and monitor the blowers, gas pretreatment, chiller, CO2 removal, N2 removal, O2 removal, compression equipment.
• Ensuring operators maintain detailed records on production data, equipment operational hours, and service schedules and equipment outages.
• Check all operating equipment daily including flow meters, gas chromatographs, fluid levels, pressure and temperature readings, and unusual noises to correct conditions before failure occurs.
• Perform all maintenance and repairs on the operating equipment including oil and filter changes, replacement of drive belts, hoses, valve adjustments, replacement of compressor filters, slide valves, couplings and bearings, as necessary. Participate in preventative maintenance outages and overhauls.
• Maintain a high level of cleanliness in and around the plant. Keep equipment, plant grounds, and floors looking as presentable as possible.
• Keep all on-site parts and supplies stocked and well organized. Maintain plant inventory.
• Respond to call outs in a timely manner. Identify and correct the cause of the call out. If the problem cannot be corrected or diagnosed, it is the responsibility of the Lead Operator to contact the Area Manager to get the help required to fix the situation.
• Operate the plant with a clear focus on safety. Clean up spills immediately. Make sure all lighting systems are fully functional; no slip or trip hazards are consistently present; and no electrical or mechanical hazards go on for long periods of time without attention. affirm that all plant visitors, mechanics, and outside contractors are following safe work practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Recordkeeping

Troubleshooting

MS Office

Mechanical skills

Electrical knowledge

Self-motivation

Unit operations basics

Pumps/Blowers/Compressors

Heavy equipment operations

Fabrication knowledge

Driver's license

Tools

Pumps

Blowers

Air compressors

Job description

OPAL Fuels is seeking a Lead Plant Operator to oversee day-to-day operations at the Emerald RNG site in Northville, MI. You will lead the operations team, coordinate maintenance, ensure safety and environmental compliance, and optimize plant performance.

The role combines technical leadership with hands-on troubleshooting, contractor coordination, and proactive safety culture development. Strong recordkeeping and reliability focus are essential.