Operations Manager

NAES•Altavista, VA

17d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager leads the operation of Altavista Power Station, a biomass power generation facility that converts sustainably sourced wood fuel into renewable electricity. This position provides strategic and day-to-day leadership to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the facility while maintaining compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements. The Operations Manager oversees operations personnel, budgets, fuel management, and continuous improvement initiatives that support operational excellence, plant reliability, and business objectives.

Requirements

Progressive supervisory or management experience in power plant operations is required, preferably at a biomass generating facility, with demonstrated success leading high-performing operations teams and achieving operational excellence.
Comprehensive knowledge of biomass power generation systems and plant operations, with the ability to analyze plant performance and drive improvements in efficiency, reliability, environmental compliance, and generation output.
Thorough understanding of environmental regulations, permit compliance, and safe operating practices, with a demonstrated commitment to regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and a strong safety culture.
Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills, with the ability to lead cross-functional teams and work effectively across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and Environmental functions to achieve plant objectives.
Experience managing contractors and service providers, ensuring compliance with plant safety, quality, environmental, and operational standards while supporting safe, efficient, and reliable plant operations.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt to changing operating conditions, and make sound operational decisions in a fast-paced power generation environment.
Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Power Plant Technology, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Equivalent industry or military experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, with experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), plant data historians, and operational reporting systems preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical and operational information to plant personnel, management, regulatory agencies, plant ownership, contractors, and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Lead the Operations Team to achieve the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the biomass facility while meeting production, environmental, and business performance objectives.
Develop and manage the operations budget to support reliable generation, cost-effective operations, and long-term asset performance.
Oversee operator staffing, scheduling, and shift coverage to maintain qualified personnel for continuous plant operation, emergency response, and periodic on-call support.
Direct biomass fuel receiving, storage, quality assurance, inventory management, and fuel yard operations to ensure consistent combustion performance, fuel availability, and emissions compliance.
Drive plant performance by analyzing operating data, boiler and combustion performance, water chemistry, equipment reliability, and operational trends to improve generation, reduce operating costs, and enhance overall plant performance.
Partner with the Maintenance Manager to evaluate equipment condition, establish maintenance priorities, coordinate outage activities, and develop long-term asset reliability and equipment improvement strategies.
Ensure accurate operational records, procedures, controlled documents, and compliance reports are maintained to support regulatory requirements, plant ownership, and informed operational decision-making.
Lead operator training, qualification, professional development, and safety initiatives to build a highly skilled workforce and reinforce a strong safety culture.
Direct environmental compliance activities, ensuring adherence to air emissions permits, environmental regulations, operating permits, and corporate policies while supporting proactive compliance initiatives.
Coordinate with utility representatives, transmission operators, and system dispatch to ensure reliable generation, compliance with dispatch instructions, and fulfillment of power delivery requirements.
Manage contractors, consultants, and service providers to ensure work is executed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with plant safety, quality, environmental, and operational standards.
Represent plant operations during audits, regulatory inspections, and interactions with plant ownership, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders while preparing accurate operational and compliance reports.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally compliant operation of the facility.