Assistant Plant Operator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Location: Lansing, MI

The Assistant Plant Manager is responsible for overseeing, managing and directing the day to day operation and maintenance activities within the Utility Assets, including the Central Utility Complex (powerhouse) as well as managing the operation and maintenance associated with other energy related assets (Chillers, Boilers, Air Compressors, Cooling towers, Electrical Distribution, Air Handling Units, HVAC, High Bay Lighting, Weld Water Systems, Waste Water Systems, etc.) located throughout the automotive manufacturing facility. The Assistant Plant Manager provides direction to the workforce ensuring that utility assets are operated in a safe, efficient, reliable, environmentally responsible manner at all times, meeting the energy requirements of the client. This position will be the on-site representative of the Company and will act as the liaison between the Company and the client.

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the employee functions as part of the site leadership team utilizing their technical expertise, discretion, and judgment within established policies, procedures, and practices.

Results are reviewed through the achievement of set goals and adherence to the On-Site Business Unit and DTE Energy policies, procedures, and practices.

*Maintains a strong safety culture. Complies with all site safety and environmental requirements and procedures. Identifies safety hazards and takes corrective actions as necessary. Assists with the development of and ensures that all site safety requirements and procedures are properly implemented, consistently observed and corrective actions are initiated when applicable
*Develops, implements, and manages consistent plant operating philosophies and best practices to maximize plant availability, efficiency, and productivity
*Ensures Contractors comply with all On-Site Business Unit and DTE Energy policies, procedures, and Safety requirements
*Constantly reviews and improves operational processes and ensures that operating personnel are properly trained and adhere to established policies, procedures, and standards
*Manages the O&M Technicians and Skilled Trades to ensure safe and efficient operation and maintenance of the plant while actively managing schedules to minimize overtime and comply with administrative guidelines
*Establishes, reviews, and modifies as required all predictive/preventive maintenance requirements programmed into the maintenance management system in alignment with maintenance strategy
*Develops performance goals and reviews in a comprehensive, open, and objective manner to align employee accountabilities and conduct with operational processes in accordance with administrative guidelines
*Investigates operating abnormalities and incidents to improve equipment availability and performance and to minimize maintenance requirements
*Prepares necessary plant operation reports in a timely manner and investigates all forced outages, reporting them in accordance with the BU practice through SharePoint
*In collaboration with Plant Manager, prepares and continually evaluates the operating department's budgets and/or makes recommendations to the Plant Manager relative to optimization of operations and maintenance costs
*Assists with maintenance engineering evaluations and troubleshooting of equipment abnormalities
*Maintains a consistent and effective level of communication with Plant Manager, Administrative staff, O&M Technicians and Skilled Trades on shift
*Assist the Plant Manager with project management of all planned outage activities, including long term planning for capital improvements
*In collaboration with the Plant Manager, drives continuous improvement of established metrics on the plant huddle board. Continually stretching goals toward the plants True North
*Lead/support development of plant personnel in skillsets, equipment/system knowledge and solving critical operational concerns
*Support management of change process to ensure traceability and collaboration on execution
*Lead/support problem solving activities and coach and mentor the 4 CI capabilities within the team
*Assures proper staffing, scheduling, orientation, and training of the plant staff, and manages compliance with all company policies and procedures. Supports recruiting, interviews, and assigns operations and maintenance employment candidates.

• A high school diploma or GED
• At least 8 years of supervisory or managerial experience in a Cogeneration power plant with a represented (Union) workforce

Preferred:

• Additional consideration provided for technical degrees

Other Requirements: 

• Thorough, demonstrated understanding of plant operations and maintenance, with strong knowledge of 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 involved with preventative/predictive maintenance and corrective maintenance
• Solid knowledge of plant engineering and plant maintenance functions and how they relate to operations
• Experience with accounting practices as it relates to analyzing cost impacts to budget
• Demonstrated skill in planning, coordinating, and directing varied programs and tasks directly affecting the overall plant operation
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work shifts and extra/irregular hours and to work under unusual and special conditions that can arise in a generation station
• Ability to pass respirator fit tests to use respiratory protective equipment or self-contained breathing apparatus at all times

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 frequently required to:

• Occasionally stand or walk and stoop or kneel
• Frequently sit
• Talk and hear, use hands and fingers; handle and feel' and able to reach with hands and arems extensively 
• Enter and work in confined space areas, including boilers, condensers, tanks, etc. to evaluate equipment condition or inspect work efforts by assigned resources
• Frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight. Occasionally lift or move onjectos of up to 40 pounds in weight
• Use computers with exposure to video display terminals; and some repetitive motion associated with data entry, the use of a computer mouse, and while using other office equipment
• Possess the following vision requirements: close, color, distance, peripheral, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Work both in a business office setting and a plant site. Occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or himid conditions, and may work near moving mechanical parts and/or machinery. Occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. Be in a work environment that is usually moderat but may become loud at the plant site

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.