Biomass Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Altavista Biomass Power Station is a renewable energy facility located within the Lynchburg, Virginia metro region, in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The facility has a capacity of 51 MW and is equipped with two B&W boilers, a Mitsubishi steam turbine, and an Alstom generator working in synergy to generate electricity from biomass feedstocks. NAES has a long standing operating history with the regulated electric utility that owns the station. The plant’s electrical generation is included as a valuable resource in the utility’s long-range plans.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Manager provides overall leadership and direction for plant operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, fuel management, and administrative programs, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable facility performance. Responsibilities include overseeing staffing, training, and personnel development, maintaining employee qualifications and engagement, while providing hands-on support as needed.

Serving as the primary interface with the Owner, regulatory agencies, biomass fuel suppliers, and the local community, the Plant Manager administers project and commercial agreements, manages budgets and financial performance, ensures compliance with safety, environmental, and contractual requirements, and works to enhance the plant’s and Owner’s reputation.

Your scope of responsibility as Plant Manager includes the following primary functions:

• Provide overall site leadership and governance by establishing clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and ensuring policies and procedures align with operational objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Champion a proactive safety culture by promoting safe work practices, reinforcing safety expectations, and ensuring personnel remain vigilant in protecting themselves, coworkers, contractors, and the public.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits, regulatory requirements, and landowner agreements, including the preparation and timely submission of required compliance reports.
• Direct and integrate core plant programs—including operations, maintenance, safety, chemistry, training, administrative functions, fuel handling, and environmental QA/QC—to sustain safe, efficient, and reliable generation.
• Administer the Management of Change (MOC) program to ensure all modifications to equipment, processes, and procedures are properly reviewed, approved, documented, and communicated prior to implementation.
• Develop workforce staffing strategies and qualification frameworks to support all operational phases, ensuring required certifications and competencies remain current and compliant.
• Strengthen organizational capability by identifying skill gaps, providing coaching and career development guidance, and supporting initiatives that enhance employee engagement, morale, and retention.
• Oversee operational performance and reliability by supporting Operations and Maintenance personnel, assisting with troubleshooting efforts involving boilers, steam turbine-generator systems, fuel handling equipment, and coordinating specialized technical resources when needed.
• Plan and execute scheduled and forced outages, optimizing schedules, resources, and work scope to improve reliability, control costs, and maximize generation availability.
• Serve as the primary liaison to regulatory agencies, community stakeholders, and biomass fuel suppliers, fostering positive relationships and promoting the facility’s reputation as a responsible and engaged neighbor.
• Administer and ensure compliance with commercial and contractual obligations, including O&M agreements, biomass fuel supply contracts, power sales agreements, service agreements, and interconnection requirements.
• Oversee procurement strategy and vendor management activities, including administration of major service agreements and supplier performance oversight.
• Manage plant financial performance by developing operating and capital budgets, monitoring expenditures, forecasting costs, and applying cost-control practices to ensure fiscal discipline and accurate financial reporting.
• Administer the Management of Change (MOC) program to ensure all modifications to equipment, processes, and procedures are properly reviewed, approved, documented, and communicated prior to implementation.
• Carry out and complete additional special projects and tasks as needed.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. All NAES managers and supervisors have a direct and important role in ensuring that all work is performed in a healthy and safe manner. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each Supervisor’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Plant Manager reports to the Operations Director and supervises the managers, technicians, and Plant Administrator. The Plant Manager is the single point of contact between NAES and the Owner on all matters pertaining to the operation, maintenance, and commercial management of the plant.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Plant Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours. This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $150,000 to $209,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

We are seeking an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, paired with a strong history of career growth and a track record of excellence in achieving results.

• A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Extensive leadership experience in biomass, fossil-fueled, or steam-electric power plants, with demonstrated success overseeing plant operations, maintenance, and personnel performance.
• Proven ability to supervise and develop technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel within a utility-scale power generation facility, fostering accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.
• Strong understanding of power generation operations, maintenance strategies, and business practices, including experience supporting independent power producer environments.
• Advanced technical knowledge of biomass fuel handling systems, boilers, steam turbine-generators, and balance-of-plant equipment, with the ability to support complex troubleshooting and reliability initiatives.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership, promoting a culture of compliance, risk awareness, and continuous improvement in workplace safety performance.
• Working knowledge of environmental regulations, air permitting requirements, regulatory reporting, and preparation for inspections and compliance audits.
• Proven financial and commercial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost control, contract administration, and vendor management.
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with plant personnel, regulatory agencies, community representatives, fuel suppliers, and plant ownership.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.