Var Operator Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

NorthStar Clean Energy decarbonizes the economy by providing clean energy and carbon management solutions to utility, municipal, commercial, and industrial customers enabling them to meet their sustainability and business goals. Additionally, we own and operate natural gas assets throughout the United States. To learn more about NorthStar Clean Energy, please visit www.northstarcleanenergy.com.

This position is with NorthStar Clean Energy, a CMS Energy company, and is not a position of employment with Consumers Energy.   

Livingston Generating Station consists of four quick-start, simple-cycle combustion turbines totaling 156 MW. The plant's electric output is offered into the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) market and provides VAR support to the transmission system.  

Livingston Generating Station is adjacent to an electric substation and a natural gas pipeline and is often tapped to provide power during transmission system work. The station's generating units are enclosed in a double-walled block building designed for sound control and aesthetics.

The Senior Control Room Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of gas turbine generators and associated auxiliary systems within a power generation facility. This role includes both control room and field operations, with a strong emphasis on real-time monitoring, system optimization, and rapid response to changing plant conditions.

The Senior Control Room Operator is responsible for complying with all station procedures and environmental regulations and directing the activities on their shift.  Directing the operation of major plant equipment and recordkeeping duties to ensure efficient and safe plant operations within established procedures and parameters. 
             

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Monitor the operation of major plant equipment and systems and take appropriate action to ensure they are operated safely, in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements according to the Emissions Minimization Plan, in a manner consistent with maximizing availability and in a manner consistent with optimizing fuel efficiency      
• Maintain a log of significant operating activities and events and generate required reports            
• Operate assigned control systems including distributed control, water, steam, combustion, turbine generator and related components in a safe and efficient manner. 
• Answer the telephone when necessary in a professional manner and serve as a focal point for communications during emergency situations               
• Direct and ensure completion of required safety procedures; (e.g., lockout/tagout, confined space, hot work)                      
• Take measurements and readings and compare with standards; implement corrective actions within established procedures      
• Assist in maintaining the boiler system by adding/transferring chemicals as needed to maintain desired parameters                          
• Identify and correct problems; report problems requiring further action
• Respond to alarms in a timely manner; operate necessary equipment to effectively respond to critical situations                        
• Coordinate and may direct activities of other work groups as necessary to support overall plant operations.  Train plant personnel in accordance with Company policies and government regulations.  Oversee the work of sub-contractors on assigned shift, as necessary.  Perform other comparable non-operating duties during plant shutdowns.          
• Initiate and execute unit startup, shutdown, and load adjustments following established procedures
• Maintain continuous situational awareness of plant status, including generation output and system constraints
• Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary                                                                                     

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision in both control room and field environments
• Comfortable working alone for extended periods while maintaining high situational awareness and accountability.  Have a working knowledge of LOTO, confined space, P & ID's, hot work    
• Ability to use past experience, analytical judgement, to plan and perform diversified work              
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety
• Excellent communication skills to provide clear direction and feedback to all team members on the site     
• Agility to be able to work overtime, as well as rotating shift schedules that include weekends and holidays
• Strong understanding of gas turbine systems, thermodynamics, and power plant processes

Position Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Associate's Degree preferred
• 4+ years of power plant operations experience as an operator and or previous control room experience required, with 3 years' experience as a plant operator preferred
• Electrical & Mechanical experience and knowledge for troubleshooting required.                     
• Valid driver's license required
  

Working Conditions:

• The working conditions for this position may include, but are not limited to, the following requirements and environmental exposures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The working conditions for this position may include climbing stairs; frequent walking; and the ability to sit or stand for extended periods. The role may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, as well as lifting, moving, or carrying items up to 35 pounds. Employees must maintain close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, and must remain alert throughout the workday. Effective communication is essential, along with regular use of computers and related technology. The position may involve exposure to atmospheric conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, gases, and other airborne particles. Work environments may include high noise areas, confined spaces, and elevated locations, as well as extreme internal or external temperatures, including prolonged exposure to the sun. The role may also involve exposure to mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, and high/low pressure steam hazards, as well as high electrical voltage. Employees may be required to operate heavy or hazardous equipment and handle potentially hazardous chemicals while following established safety procedures.
• To support a safe and productive workplace, the Company may require a Fitness for Duty (FFD) evaluation to confirm an employee can safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. FFD testing will be used only in circumstances permitted by law and administered in a manner that is job related and consistent with business necessity.         
  

Location:

The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is not offered for this position.

Why should you join our team?

At NorthStar Clean Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

We, at NorthStar Clean Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don't discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women's Advisory Panel (WAP), Women's in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capable, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.