Head of Power Plant Operations

Sheridan HR • Town of Torrey, NY

4d • $150,000 - $170,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Sheridan HR is partnering with Vulcan Infrastructure and Power to identify an experienced Head of Power Plant Operations & Pipeline to lead day-to-day operations at its 106 MW natural gas-fired steam generating facility in Dresden, New York. This is a critical leadership role for an experienced power-generation professional who understands the technical, operational, safety, and business demands of a steam-cycle generating facility. Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Head of Power Plant Operations & Pipeline will own the operating floor-leading the operations team, directing real-time plant operations, maintaining operating discipline, and ensuring the facility consistently delivers safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally compliant power generation. In addition to plant operations, this position provides operational oversight of the natural gas supply pipeline serving the facility, including fuel reliability, monitoring, integrity, and applicable regulatory requirements. This is an excellent opportunity for a proven power plant operations leader who wants significant operational ownership, the ability to influence plant performance, and a clear path for professional advancement.

Requirements

• Minimum 8 years of power plant operations experience, including direct experience operating a Rankine-cycle/steam generating facility.
• Demonstrated experience leading and supervising power plant operations teams.
• Experience working in a unionized environment strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred; equivalent hands-on power generation experience will be considered.
• Experience managing staffing, operating costs, and resources within a plant budget.
• Strong understanding of steam-cycle power generation and balance-of-plant systems.
• Demonstrated experience with operational troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of Rankine-cycle systems, including boilers, steam turbines, generators, condensers, feedwater and condensate systems, and auxiliary systems.
• Expert understanding of steam-unit startup, shutdown, loading, and load-following operations.
• Familiarity with natural gas pipeline operations, fuel supply systems, pipeline monitoring, integrity, and regulatory compliance preferred.
• Proficiency with Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and plant performance monitoring software.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, engineering drawings, and system schematics.
• Working knowledge of LOTO, permitting, emergency response, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to effectively structure shift coverage and manage competing operational priorities.
• Proven ability to develop, coach, and hold employees accountable.
• Ability to lead a unionized workforce with professionalism, consistency, and respect.
• Strong decision-making skills in a real-time operating environment.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Business-minded approach to plant operations, with the ability to connect operational performance to economic and business outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in a unionized environment strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with natural gas pipeline operations, fuel supply systems, pipeline monitoring, integrity, and regulatory compliance preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the unionized operations workforce, including O&M Technicians from Operator Trainee through O&M Technician 4/Senior Operator.
• Establish effective staffing, shift coverage, scheduling, training, qualification, and performance expectations.
• Direct the real-time operation of the facility's 106 MW natural gas-fired steam unit.
• Oversee operation of boilers, steam turbines, generators, condensers, feedwater systems, condensate systems, and balance-of-plant auxiliaries.
• Ensure plant operations meet dispatch requirements, efficiency objectives, reliability targets, and emissions requirements.
• Maintain strong operating discipline across all shifts and ensure consistent execution of established procedures.
• Oversee the day-to-day operation of the natural gas supply pipeline serving the facility.
• Ensure reliable fuel delivery to support continuous plant operations.
• Monitor pipeline performance, integrity, and operating conditions.
• Maintain compliance with applicable pipeline, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders as needed to address fuel supply or pipeline issues.
• Promote and maintain a strong operating-floor safety culture.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce standard operating procedures, startup and shutdown sequences, and abnormal/emergency operating procedures.
• Ensure effective execution of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), permit-to-work, and emergency response procedures.
• Partner with the Head of EHS to support site-wide safety and environmental initiatives.
• Maintain operational records, logs, and documentation necessary for regulatory readiness, audits, and reliable plant operation.
• Monitor plant performance using control systems, performance software, and operational data.
• Identify developing equipment or operating issues and take proactive corrective action to minimize forced outages and derates.
• Conduct or participate in root cause analysis following operational events.
• Implement corrective actions and follow through to ensure sustained improvements.
• Track operational performance indicators including availability, heat rate, start reliability, and load-following capability.
• Work closely with the Head of Maintenance to coordinate maintenance activities, work windows, outages, unit loading, and returns to service.
• Balance operational requirements with maintenance needs to minimize downtime and maximize plant availability.
• Support outage planning and execution from an operations perspective.
• Communicate operational priorities and plant conditions clearly across maintenance, engineering, EHS, HR, and plant leadership.
• Manage operations-related costs, staffing, and consumables within the facility budget established by the Plant Manager.
• Understand the relationship between operational decisions, plant performance, reliability, efficiency, and financial results.
• Support the Plant Manager in achieving facility performance and business objectives.
• Identify opportunities to improve operating efficiency, reliability, and cost effectiveness.

Benefits

• $150,000–$170,000 base salary
• 20–25% annual bonus opportunity
• Full relocation assistance
• Opportunity to lead a critical power-generation operation
• Significant operational ownership and visibility
• Opportunity to work alongside experienced plant, maintenance, EHS, HR, and engineering professionals
• Career advancement opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager