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Power Plant Operations Manager Jobs in California

Plant Manager

Middletown, CA · On-site

$154K - $196K/yr

Through wholesale power operations and its retail businesses, Calpine serves customers in 22 states ... Manages plant business and budget issues with home office interface. Proposes and implements ...

Executive and Management Responsibilities : Oversee all plant operations which include production, quality assurance, maintenance, warehousing, and safety. Develop and implement strategic plans to ...

Shift Supervisor

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

Support the Operations Manager with department administration and power plant management; provide feedback to employees, ensuring compliance with plant procedures. * Plan, direct, and supervise both ...

Shift Supervisor

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

Support the Operations Manager with department administration and power plant management; provide feedback to employees, ensuring compliance with plant procedures. * Plan, direct, and supervise both ...

Support the Operations Manager with department administration and power plant management; provide feedback to employees, ensuring compliance with plant procedures. * Plan, direct, and supervise both ...

Fixed Plant Manager

Boron, CA · On-site

$196K - $269K/yr

Manager, Fixed Plant Operations * Key role in Rio Tinto's California Operations leadership team. * Great opportunity to work for a global company at the forefront of mining. * Role based near Boron ...

Fixed Plant Manager

Boron, CA · On-site

$196K - $269K/yr

Manager, Fixed Plant Operations * Key role in Rio Tinto's California Operations leadership team. * Great opportunity to work for a global company at the forefront of mining. * Role based near Boron ...

Showing results 41-60

Power Plant Operations Manager information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$105.4K

$170.7K

How much do power plant operations manager jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for power plant operations manager in California is $105,361.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $79,400.00 and $131,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a power plant operations manager do?

A Power Plant Operations Manager oversees the daily operations of a power generation facility, ensuring that systems run efficiently, safely, and in compliance with regulations. They supervise staff, manage maintenance schedules, monitor equipment performance, and implement operational procedures. Additionally, they are responsible for coordinating with other departments, handling emergencies, and optimizing plant output to meet energy demands. Their role is crucial in maintaining the reliability and safety of electricity production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a power plant operations manager?

To thrive as a Power Plant Operations Manager, you need a solid background in engineering or a related field, experience in plant operations, and often a relevant degree or industry certification. Familiarity with SCADA systems, maintenance management software, and regulatory compliance tools is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills are crucial for managing teams and ensuring efficient plant performance. These competencies are essential to maintain safety, optimize operations, and meet regulatory and production targets within the power generation industry.

What are some common challenges faced by power plant operations managers, and how can they be addressed?

Power Plant Operations Managers often encounter challenges such as ensuring regulatory compliance, maintaining equipment reliability, and managing a diverse team of engineers and technicians. Staying up-to-date with changing environmental regulations and implementing preventive maintenance schedules are critical to minimizing downtime. Effective communication and leadership skills are also essential for coordinating operations across shifts and responding to unexpected issues quickly. Embracing ongoing training and fostering a culture of safety can help address these challenges and ensure smooth plant operations.

What is the difference between Power Plant Operations Manager vs Power Plant Engineer?

AspectPower Plant Operations ManagerPower Plant Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, with management experienceRequires a bachelor’s degree in engineering, often with specialized certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees plant operations, manages staff, and ensures safety and efficiencyFocuses on designing, maintaining, and improving plant systems and equipment
Industry UsageCommonly found in power generation companies managing daily operationsFound in engineering departments, focusing on technical and system development

The Power Plant Operations Manager primarily oversees daily plant operations, staff, and safety protocols, ensuring efficient power generation. In contrast, the Power Plant Engineer concentrates on technical system design, maintenance, and improvements. Both roles require engineering knowledge, but their focus and responsibilities differ significantly within the power industry.

What are popular job titles related to Power Plant Operations Manager jobs in California?

For Power Plant Operations Manager jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Power Plant Operations Manager jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Power Plant Operations Manager jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Power Plant Operations Manager jobs?

Cities in California with the most Power Plant Operations Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Power Plant Operations Manager job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, and 97% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $105,361 per year, or $50.7 per hour.

Plant Manager

Calpine

Middletown, CA • On-site

$154K - $196K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Calpine rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Calpine, a business unit of Constellation Energy Corporation (Nasdaq: CEG), is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with operations in competitive power markets. With 79 energy facilities in operation, Calpine's fleet has the capacity to generate approximately 27,000 MW of electricity - enough to power approximately 27 million homes. Through wholesale power operations and its retail businesses, Calpine serves customers in 22 states and Canada. Its clean, efficient, modern and flexible fleet uses advanced technologies to generate power in a low-carbon and environmentally responsible manner.
The company was established on the premise that a strong commitment to the environment is inextricably linked to excellence in power generation and corporate responsibility. Since its founding in 1984, Calpine has led the power industry in its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition, its renewable geothermal plants use steam generated deep below the earth's surface to produce clean, renewable electricity.
Job Summary (includes but is not limited to the following, other duties may be assigned)
Responsible for the day-to-day operations and maintenance of a single plant facility including managing, directing, planning, and coordinating total power plant operations; monitors plan performance and corrects abnormalities. Specific responsibilities include overall human resources responsibility for supervisory leadership, operations and maintenance personnel and all sub-contractors with authority to hire and terminate employees, setting maintenance schedule and conducting routine maintenance, and managing ongoing training programs. Manages plant business and budget issues with home office interface. Proposes and implements equipment modifications and plant improvements. Implements, manages, maintains, and updates all plant procedures, site policies, training and safety programs and work practices. Maintains safe and efficient operations of the facility, including accountability for regulatory compliance with all local, State, and Federal regulations.
The Plant Manager is highly visible in the community, responsible for public relations and community interaction. The position is responsible for local interactions with customers including steam host and utility.
Job Responsibilities
  • Accomplishes work through others. Manages the overall operations and maintenance of a single plant facility with an operational focus.
  • Manages employees performing related duties including full human resources, cost and budgetary accountabilities.
  • Decisions typically related to resources, project approach, and tactical operations.
  • Results have significant impact on costs and the achievement of function objectives or project-based goals.
  • Makes decisions for large-scale projects, a closely related set of projects and initiatives involving own and possibly related functional areas.
  • Receives assignments in the form of objectives and determines tactical approach, resources, schedules, and goals.
  • Works within general guidelines; applies advanced technical knowledge to solve moderately complex problems for a function.
  • Manages a single function or portion of a department. Regularly manages large-scale projects/activities or a very closely related set of projects/activities.
  • Responsible for performance reviews, promotional decisions, and pay actions for support and professional levels.

Job Requirements
  • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or equivalent.
  • Previous work leadership experience including a minimum of 5 years supervisory/managerial experience.
  • Typically requires minimum of 10+ years with a detailed understanding of electrical generation power plants, including startup, operations, and maintenance of power plant equipment.

Salary Information
  • Salary Range - $154,231.00 - $196,645.00

Additional Calpine Information:
  • Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
  • Calpine is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply for a position, please send an e-mail with your request to hrrecruitment@calpine.com. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on case-by-case basis.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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