Operations Manager

NAES•Carnesville, GA

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Manager leads daily operations at the Franklin Biomass Facility in Carnesville, Georgia, which generates 55 net megawatts of renewable electricity from sustainably sourced wood biomass. The facility uses a Foster Wheeler boiler, hot precipitator, selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, and a single turbine generator. The role oversees plant performance, personnel, staffing, fuel handling, and regulatory compliance to support safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally compliant electricity generation. The Operations Manager manages operational budgets, develops personnel, monitors equipment performance, and drives continuous improvement. The role works closely with Maintenance, Engineering, and Compliance personnel to support plant reliability, cost-effective operations, and environmental performance. It reports to the Plant Manager and supervises subordinate operations personnel. The position follows a standard Monday-to-Friday day-shift schedule, with extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and callout availability as needed. Some travel may be involved for offsite meetings. Physical work includes standing, climbing stairs and ladders over 50 feet, entering and exiting equipment cabs, traversing uneven or elevated surfaces, working in confined spaces, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Work may involve dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise, extreme temperatures, outdoor weather, and high heat near biomass processing systems. Mandatory PPE may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, flame-resistant clothing, respirators, and fall protection. Respirator fit testing may be required. Smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility. Employees participate in a Fitness for Duty Program that includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and random post-employment drug screening. The annual base salary range is $130,000 to $165,000, with eligibility for an annual performance bonus. NAES Corporation provides operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities and states its commitment to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Requirements

Supervisory or management experience in power generation operations is required.
Comprehensive knowledge of power plant systems, including solid-fuel combustion, boilers, steam turbines, generators, fuel handling, water treatment, and emissions control equipment.
Demonstrated ability to analyze operating data, troubleshoot equipment and performance issues, improve plant efficiency, and implement effective corrective actions.
Working understanding of environmental regulations, operating permits, and compliance requirements related to air emissions, water discharge, waste management, and chemical handling.
Leadership experience supervising, training, developing, and evaluating Operations personnel while promoting a strong safety culture.
Experience coordinating contractors, maintenance activities, outages, and operational improvement initiatives while maintaining safety and performance standards.
Familiarity with operations budgets, cost control, resource planning, and managing competing operational priorities in a continuous-process environment.
Effective written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, and ability to collaborate across departments, resolve operational challenges, and communicate with management and external stakeholders.
Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license that remains in good standing.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders over 50 feet, working in confined spaces and elevated areas, and lifting up to 50 pounds.
Participation in the Fitness for Duty Program, including a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline is preferred; relevant power generation, industrial, or military experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
Power generation operations management experience at a biomass or other solid-fuel power generation facility is preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and plant data historians.

Responsibilities

Direct daily plant operations and supervise Operations personnel to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally compliant electricity generation.
Develop and manage operational budgets, controlling expenditures while supporting production, reliability, and cost objectives.
Establish operator schedules, staffing coverage, and on-call arrangements to maintain continuous plant operations and emergency response readiness.
Coordinate biomass fuel deliveries, handling, storage, quality testing, and inventory to support combustion efficiency, fuel availability, and emissions compliance.
Evaluate boiler, turbine, generator, and auxiliary equipment performance using operational data to identify trends, improve efficiency, and address reliability concerns.
Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering personnel to prioritize equipment repairs, coordinate outages, and support preventive, corrective, and predictive maintenance activities.
Administer plant water chemistry and treatment programs, including sampling, testing, chemical inventory, and operating practices that support reliable steam generation.
Ensure adherence to safety procedures, environmental permits, regulatory requirements, and company policies; address deficiencies and implement corrective actions.
Lead operator training, qualification, performance evaluations, and employee development initiatives.
Maintain accurate operating logs, procedures, controlled documents, compliance records, and reports required for plant management and regulatory oversight.
Implement emergency preparedness and response procedures for equipment failures, fires, environmental incidents, and other operational emergencies.
Interface with grid operators, utility dispatch, and other stakeholders to coordinate generation schedules, operational requirements, and power delivery.
Supervise contractors and assigned operational projects, supporting equipment improvements, inspections, audits, and long-term asset reliability initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Plant Manager in support of safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.