Operations Team Lead

Onward Energy is excited to announce that we are hiring an Operations Team Lead for our Mankato, MN plant

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Operations Team Leader

Reports To: Operations & Maintenance Manager

Direct Reports: ? Yes ? No Functional Unit: Operations

FLSA Status: ? Exempt ? Non-Exempt Position Type: ? Full-Time ? Part-Time ? Internship

Plant Location: Mankato, MN

THE COMPANY

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 6.2 GW of utility-scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North America’s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our associates, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation. Corporate offices based in Denver, New York, and Charlotte, Onward Energy is a company where people and power are always on. We are where renewable meets reliable. See www.onwardenergy.com for more information.

Mankato Energy Center (MEC) is a 720-megawatt natural gas-fired combined-cycle facility located within the city limits on the northern edge of the City of Mankato, Minnesota. project operates in the MISO power market and sells energy under contract to Northern States Power (NSP), a subsidiary of Xcel Energy. MEC I became commercially operational in July 2006 in a 1x1 configuration and is contracted through July 2028. In 2019 MEC II began commercial operations and is contracted with NSP through 2039. MEC I has a Siemens SGT6-5000F(3) combustion turbine rated at approximately 225 MW (at ISO Conditions) with a Nooter Eriksen HRSG. MEC II has a Siemens SGT6-5000F(4) combustion turbine rated at approximately 232 MW (at ISO Conditions) with a Nooter Eriksen HRSG. Both units deliver steam to a single Toshiba TCDF-40L steam turbine rated at 330MW.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This position is responsible for leading organizing and overseeing plant operations to ensure that plant reliability, safety, and environmental requirements are met. Leads and trains plant operating personnel and prepares the budget for that activity. Develops and maintains start-up, shutdown, normal, abnormal, and emergency operating procedures. Monitors and tracks plant operating performance. Prepares operating and outage reports.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist O&M Manager in providing oversight of and direction to all mission critical programs and processes such as performance management, outage management, project management, asset integrity and financial management.
• Provide visible safety leadership and actively contribute to the creation, implementation, and continuous improvement of a strong, sustainable safety culture. Drive real time safety accountability by engaging the team through safety meeting participation, job briefs, audits, training, accident investigation/event assessment, and job site observations.
• Follows all safety/environmental policies, procedures, rules, and participating in training. Promotes the company’s values, Accountability, Adaptability, Collaboration, & Excellence.
• Coordinates and leads plant O&M Tech personnel to assure generating requirements and plant efficiency are maintained, and local, state, and federal environmental standards are met.
• Investigates incidents and abnormalities to improve equipment availability and to minimize maintenance requirements.
• Prepares and continually reviews procedures necessary for plant operation and maintenance, and plant operator qualification documents.
• Reviews and provides operational inputs to capital and engineering projects.
• Prepares budgets and/or makes recommendations to the O&M Manager relative to operating budgets.
• Provide direct leadership over crew effectiveness, quality, and productivity. Maintain a continuous presence in the work environment and assist in removing barriers with pre-requisites, materials, stakeholder, and other issues. Ensure correct crew composition and skills are in place to meet operational, reliability, customer, and financial objectives. Assist in preparing resource forecasts and providing input to longer-term work plans.
• Recruit talented employees, participate in workforce and development planning efforts, establish clear expectations, and effectively manage performance. Provide training, coaching and oversight and drive employee engagement. Effectively represent the organization with employee corrective actions and development.
• Maintains complete and accurate reports of downtime, outages, repair requirements and production and performance indices. Oversee testing of plant systems and components. Review data based on established standards and/or sound power plant practices.
• Plans, directs, and supervises routine preventive and predictive maintenance on all systems and equipment; supports corrective maintenance efforts on selected equipment. Reviews maintenance backlog and provides priorities to maintenance supervisor.
• Conceives, develops, and evaluates on-the-job and classroom training in operations-related subjects. Prepares lesson plans, handouts, visual aids, examinations, qualification standards and other material related to employee training and development.
• Maintains logs, records, and data sheets; prepares and reviews operational reports, trends, timesheets, material requisitions, work orders and other administrative documents related to power and steam production.
• Qualify operators as O&M Technician I/II for the plants and ensure all operators maintain proficiency in safely operating the plants.
• Manages site compliance with all permits, NERC compliance standards including NERC GADs reporting.
• Work under limited supervision.
• Independently prioritizes and executes responsibilities.
• Provide management direction in the absence of the O&M Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  THE PROFILE TO SUCCEED

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in power generation field or exceptional work or military experience in a related technical field may substitute for the degree.
• Preferred bachelor’s degree in an engineering or related technical discipline.
• Previous leadership experience is preferred.
• Moderate working knowledge of Maximo is preferred.
• Strong Operational background with turbines, Ovation, and T3000 controls preferred.
• Maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity in all dealings with or on behalf of Onward Energy at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to lead, coach, and guide employees and understand the importance of positive employee relations.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, verbal skills that are persuasive, and the ability to promote business initiatives.
• Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and direct varied programs and tasks involved within the operations and maintenance functions.
• Ability to obtain and apply knowledge of competitive business practices in daily work activities and decision making.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to anticipate and accept changes in the organization and adapt to meet new requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced computer knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point, and various other programs.
• Ability to follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Ability to prioritize, handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
• Valid U.S. Driver license with acceptable MVR history.

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Associate will be required to adhere to large amounts of standing, walking, bending, squatting, and lifting. May be required to lift, carry, and move up to 50 lbs. Will use arms and hands to signal, grab, hold, turn, push, and pull objects, materials, controls, and tools. Will occasionally work at heights, climb ladders, stairways, and work off platforms. Will use vision abilities to focus, see short and long distances, colors, depth perception and peripheral vision. Will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to hard hat, safety glasses/goggles, ear plugs/muffs, masks/respirators, safety vests, gloves, and steel-toe boots.
• Able to hear (at some dB limit of loss) to hear plant alarms, equipment condition, and to receive oral instructions.
• Able to see to determine plant operating conditions and to avoid safety hazards.
• Work extended hours and varied shifts with the possibility of weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload, and plant conditions. On Call status will be required.

THE TEAM

1. Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace our values of accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and excellence. At Onward Energy, we seek to find solutions rather than assign blame.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally performed inside the power plant but may work in all weather conditions ranging from warm/hot - cool/cold. Occasional rain. Noise levels will be moderate to high. Job site will contain light to heavy equipment vehicles, small to large equipment, materials, communication equipment and tools. People standing, walking, sitting, signaling, and talking. Bells, whistles, and alarms. Some travel to and work at other sites required.

THE TOTAL REWARDS

Onward Energy total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First, and offers associates a comprehensive total rewards package which includes market competitive compensation, health, life insurance, and retirement savings benefits.

If you require an accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a disability to Recruiting@onwardenergy.com.

EEO STATEMENT:

Onward Energy is an Affirmative Action Employer, Females/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.