Plant Operations Manager jobs in Lafayette, LA

Job Summary

Location: Franklin, LA

The person holding this position provides leadership on the daily operation of equipment under the general direction of the Plant Manager. He or she manages the daily operation of the facility to ensure the environment, plant equipment and contract personnel are safe. He or she will be knowledgeable of all environmental and compliance permits and how they are implemented in an operating plant. This person will also have a demonstrated knowledge of the maintenance management function of a steam turbine plant, managing the planned outage activities.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensures that all site safety and environmental requirements and procedures are properly implemented and takes corrective actions as necessary
• Plans, directs, and performs housekeeping duties. Ensures housekeeping standards are maintained or initiates corrective action, as required
• Performs all operations, including startup, shutdown, inspection, routine chemical testing, all switching and tagging, equipment troubleshooting, writes, reviews, and revises operating and related procedures
• The de-energization (lock out/tag out) of all equipment within the scope of responsibility pertaining to the power plant assets that is required to allow the safe performance of maintenance on such equipment
• Assists the Plant Manager in facets of department administration and power plant management. Maintains administrative documents, preparation, justification and control of annual operations and maintenance budgets. Generates reports and initiates action to replenish consumables
• Provides direct feedback to the Plant Manager regarding the technical and administrative conduct of shift operations
• Monitors planned daily operations schedule
• Assists in the orientation, training, development, performance evaluation, selection process for new employees and promotions, and assures high work quality of O&M Technicians
• Serves as the site representative after normal hours
• Plans, directs, and/or performs routine preventive and predictive maintenance on all systems and equipment; supports corrective maintenance efforts on selected equipment
• Represents the company in dealing with steam and power customers, vendors, contractors, regulators, and other non-company personnel
• Maximizes plant efficiency and shareholder value without compromising personnel and equipment safety, environmental compliance, or the long-term commercial viability of the facility
• Available for scheduled and unscheduled shift coverage, performs tasks that require physical exertion and is expected to respond to off-hour call-ins when contacted
• Establishes and maintains high personnel and professional standards of safety and environmental conscientiousness and compliance
• Supports all departments and performs other duties necessary to fulfill plant requirements

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• A minimum of four years of power plant operations experience
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Technical training with demonstrated ability to perform successfully in similar work environments is a plus and those candidates will be given priority

Other Qualifications

Other Requirements:

• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively and perform mathematical calculations
• Work scheduled 8 hour days Monday - Friday unless needed for shift coverage
• Must be available, if needed, for call outs, scheduled overtime, weekends and/or holidays
• Knowledge of power plant safety policies and procedures, especially in the areas of high-energy systems, chemical handling, heavy equipment, rotating machinery, confined spaces, incipient fire suppression, and first aid
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office products, especially Word and Excel
• Functional knowledge of subordinate and peer duties and responsibilities
• Basic knowledge of or ability to understand fundamental principles related to physics, mathematics, AC and DC electrical theory, chemistry, water treatment process, thermal dynamics, heat transfer and fluid flow
• Demonstrated knowledge regarding operation of valves, switches, controls, keyboards, and other devices associated with power plants
• Working knowledge of maintenance management systems
• Ability to comprehend and apply technical information, including mechanical and electrical drawings (such as blueprints, P&IDs, single-line diagrams and schematics) to problem-solving situations and troubleshooting
• Ability to locate, troubleshoot, and adjust defects in mechanical equipment and/or maintain, install, modify and trouble-shoot plant electrical systems and equipment without "tripping" equipment
• Ability to communicate and coordinate work on technical subjects with others across job families and with outside vendors
• Operating and maintenance experience with various analytical and test equipment
• Demonstrated knowledge, skill and prior hands-on troubleshooting and repair experience relating to instrumentation and control systems used in modern power stations, including burner management, combustion control, boiler controls, turbine controls, machine condition monitoring and continuous emissions monitoring (CEMS)
• Outstanding skill in leadership and interpersonal relationships

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is required to:

• Sit, stand, walk, or climb and stoop or kneel. The employee will be required to be able to access all areas within the plant. Climbing stairs and ladders and maneuvering in awkward positions are all required
• Frequently, the employee is required to sit
• Talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms extensively
• Frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight. Occasionally the employee will have to lift or move objects of up to 25 pounds in weight. In addition, the employee will push or pull up to 25 pounds in weight occasionally
• Vision requirements for this position include close vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works both in a business office setting and at a plant site. In the course of working at the plant site, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, and may work near moving mechanical parts and/or machinery. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate in the office, but may become loud throughout the plant site.

Additional Information

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.