Assistant Power Plant Manager

DTE Energy•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

The Assistant Power Plant Manager is a leadership role responsible for utility and energy-related assets in a powerhouse and throughout its associated facility. The position is part of the site management team and requires close communication and collaboration, proactive leadership, and a commitment to DTE’s core values of Safety, Reliability, Efficiency, and Responsibility. Under the general direction of the Plant Manager, the role leads operations and maintenance groups in the daily operation of plant equipment and helps ensure the safety of personnel and the environment. It requires knowledge of environmental and compliance permits and their implementation, as well as maintenance management in a cogeneration power plant, including planned outage scope, schedule, and budget optimization. The position reports to the Plant Manager and works within established policies, procedures, and practices; performance is reviewed against set goals and adherence to company policies.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 8 years of supervisory or managerial experience in a cogeneration power plant with a represented (union) workforce.
Thorough, demonstrated understanding of plant operations and maintenance, including generating equipment, boilers, and water treatment processes.
Ability to analyze and improve operations business processes.
Proven planning and scheduling experience working with O&M and other technical personnel on preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance.
Solid knowledge of plant engineering and maintenance functions and how they relate to operations.
Experience with accounting practices as they relate to analyzing budget cost impacts.
Demonstrated ability to plan, coordinate, and direct varied programs and tasks that affect overall plant operations.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work shifts and extra or irregular hours, and under unusual and special conditions at a generation station.
Ability to pass respirator fit tests and use respiratory protective equipment or a self-contained breathing apparatus at all times.

Nice To Haves

Technical degree.

Responsibilities

Maintain a strong safety culture, comply with site safety and environmental requirements, identify hazards, take corrective action, and help develop and implement site safety procedures.
Develop, implement, and manage plant operating philosophies and best practices to maximize availability, efficiency, and productivity.
Ensure contractors comply with On-Site Business Unit and DTE Energy policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
Review and improve operational processes, and ensure operating personnel are trained and follow established policies, procedures, and standards.
Manage O&M Technicians and Skilled Trades to support safe, efficient plant operation and maintenance; manage schedules to minimize overtime and meet administrative guidelines.
Establish, review, and modify predictive and preventive maintenance requirements in the maintenance management system in alignment with the maintenance strategy.
Develop performance goals and conduct comprehensive, open, and objective reviews aligned with employee accountabilities and conduct.
Investigate operating abnormalities and incidents to improve equipment availability and performance and minimize maintenance requirements.
Prepare plant operation reports and investigate and report forced outages in accordance with Business Unit practices through SharePoint.
Work with the Plant Manager to prepare and evaluate operating department budgets and recommend ways to optimize operations and maintenance costs.
Assist with maintenance engineering evaluations and troubleshoot equipment abnormalities.
Maintain effective communication with the Plant Manager, administrative staff, O&M Technicians, and Skilled Trades on shift.
Assist the Plant Manager with project management for planned outages, including long-term capital improvement planning.
Work with the Plant Manager to continually improve plant huddle-board metrics and advance goals toward the plant’s True North.
Lead and support development of plant personnel, including skills, equipment and system knowledge, and resolution of critical operational concerns.
Support the management-of-change process to ensure traceability and collaboration during execution.
Lead or support problem-solving activities and coach and mentor the team in the four CI capabilities.
Ensure appropriate staffing, scheduling, orientation, training, and compliance with company policies and procedures; support recruiting, interviewing, and assignment of operations and maintenance candidates.