Mgr Operations

Evergy; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 111,000 - 149,000; Full time

Job summary

Evergy seeks an experienced Manager Operations for the Chisholm Trail Energy Center in Conway Springs, KS. You will lead day-to-day plant operations, including startup, shutdown, and coordination with maintenance, engineering, and commercial teams to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient power generation.

The role emphasizes building strong procedures, training programs, and continuous improvement across a 24/7 operation with a focus on safety, regulatory compliance, and staff development as the

Qualifications

• Requires 8 years of experience in a power plant within maintenance, engineering, or operations.
• Demonstrated leadership in a similar role and ability to manage cross-functional teams.
• Strong focus on safety, regulatory compliance, and reliable plant performance.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise all plant operations including startup/shutdown of gas and steam turbines and HRSGs.
• Ensure safe operation within design parameters and environmental requirements.
• Monitor performance, optimize reliability and efficiency, and lead in abnormal conditions.
• Develop and implement operating procedures, training, and qualification programs.
• Budget management for staff and overtime; contribute to annual planning and long-term capital and O&M work plans.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication

Safety compliance

Operations planning

Staff development

Job description

JOB TITLE: Mgr Operations

DEPARTMENT: Chisholm Trail Energy Center

LOCATION: Conway Springs, KS

PAY GRADE: $111,400 - $148,500 (Min-Mid)

Scheduled Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. and other hours as required

The Mgr Operations is responsible for leading, planning, and directing all operational activities of a combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant generation of electric power. This role oversees day-to-day plant operation, personnel management, training, operational strategy, and coordination with maintenance, engineering, and commercial teams.

Chisholm Trail Energy Center is an advanced-class combined-cycle facility currently under construction, with commercial operation planned for spring 2029. This is a unique opportunity to help build the processes and practices that will guide the plant from construction into long-term operations.

Summary of Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Operational Leadership
  • Direct and supervise all plant operations, including startup, shutdown, and routine operational activities of gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, auxiliary systems, and balance of plant.
  • Ensure the plant operates safely within design parameters, regulatory limits, and environmental requirements.
  • Monitor plant performance and optimize reliability, efficiency, and availability.
  • Lead operational decision-making during abnormal or emergency conditions.
  • Engage with employees at all levels to understand their concerns.
  • Escalate concerns and pushes back during decision-making where needed.
  • Self-advocate for the needs of your department.
• Continuous Improvement
  • Facilitate continuous improvement efforts.
  • Review operational logs and trending data for improvement opportunities.
  • Maintain and update operating procedures and documentation.
  • Drive process improvements and root cause analysis.
  • Implement best practices in safety, operations, and asset management.
  • Creates an agile work environment where everyone is willing and empowered to purposefully innovate.
  • Develop and implement strategic plans with a generation-wide perspective.
  • Ability to lead strategic initiatives with cross functional teams.
• Supervision
  • Supervise, mentor, and develop operations staff.
  • Set daily/weekly operational priorities and align the workforce for a 24/7 operation.
  • Ensure adequate staffing, create shift schedules, and manage overtime or callouts.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, coaching sessions, and corrective actions when needed.
  • Support training, onboarding, and ongoing qualification programs for operators.
  • Foster a positive work culture that emphasizes professionalism, accountability, and teamwork.
• Budgeting
  • Manage the operational budget for staff and overtime. Assist in the planning, development, and reporting of the annual budget and long-term capital and O&M work plans.

Education and Experience Requirements:

Requires 8 years of experience in a power plant within maintenance, engineering, or operations. Previous positional or informal leadership experience is required. Require demonstrated experience in several of the listed primary duties that will enable the candidate to successfully manage the responsibilities of the job and achieve desired results.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities, and Competencies Required:

• Ability to foster a team environment throughout the plant.
• Believes in and can advance a culture of compliance that is required by a regulated utility.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a way that can lead to change with a focus on bringing others along in a shared vision.
• Clearly communicate objectives, responsibilities, and goals.
• Uses regularly scheduled time to interact with and communicate with the entire plant and operations groups.
• Acumen to engage and involve others to achieve results.
• Take ownership and action even in difficult or challenging situations.
• Technically capable in some areas of plant operations, engineering, or maintenance.
• Skilled in supervising, evaluating, training, disciplining and motivating employees.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, direct and manage a diverse number of operational areas, projects and activities.

Licenses, Certificates, Bonding and/or Testing Required:

• Must have a valid driver's license.

Working Conditions:

Working conditions will vary from office to field environment. Must be able to work additional hours, both indoors and outdoors, on short notice in all types of weather. Some weekend and/or night shift work may be required.

Evergy has a clear mission - To empower a better future. Evergy chooses to live this mission by valuing People First. We know that to lead the responsible energy transition and provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable service to our customers and communities, we need a team with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We are committed to building a team where everyone - regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status - has a voice and can bring their best every day. Evergy is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.