Plant Operations Manager

Under direction of the Power Plant Superintendent, the Plant Operations Manager is responsible for supervising the overall activities of plant operations work. An employee in this class may be required to maintain records of plant operations, prepare the payroll, and supervise any major area of plant operations as assigned.

Because the Authority has a primary responsibility to serve the public 24 hours a day, an employee in this class is expected to work overtime as conditions demand and may be expected to accept overtime on short notice during emergency conditions or power outages. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assigns and directs the daily work assignments of the Operations Department.
• Performs inspection tours to observe operations and operating condition of station equipment; checks operating gauges, charts, and records; inspects "housekeeping" conditions; ensures that all equipment is operating satisfactorily and is loaded efficiently and safely.
• Implements changes necessary for good operations and reports abnormal conditions and unusual situations to the Plant Operations Superintendent.
• Plans general work assignments; instructs and trains subordinate employees in job duties; gives necessary assistance and advice to employees in their work problems in order to maintain maximum efficiency and safety in operation of the plant.
• Determines cause of unusual or improper operations and operating conditions and equipment failure; takes necessary action to prevent recurrence.
• Assists in planning and scheduling work of the Production Operations department; works with plant maintenance personnel and other required personnel in scheduling equipment outages.
• Investigates and inspects mechanical and electrical equipment, in or out of service, in order to maintain familiarity with equipment and to ensure coordination of plant generation.
• Implements internal operating or administrative procedures compatible with company policies, operating instructions, and directives; develops time standards that apply to new or current operations; prepares and assists in establishing direct and indirect labor, overhead, overtime and other cost goals for organizational units or programs and maintains data by which to measure control costs.
• Ensures that switches, valves, etc., for equipment being worked on are properly tagged with appropriate information, and that all safety precautions have been complied with to protect the equipment and personnel from damage or injury.
• Ensures that the proper amount and quality of materials, tools, and supplies are on hand to assure economical and efficient operations.
• Develops emergency plans and ensures effective implementation when needed to assure continuity of service, the protection of plant personnel, and the protection of the public in the event of fire, natural disasters, or other conditions that could adversely affect the normal operations of the plant.
• Determines the need for, initiates, and coordinates training programs internally and with external organizations to develop the personnel resources of the Authority to meet future needs for management of technical skills; evaluates the effectiveness of such training.
• Ensures that regular plant inspections are conducted; supervises safety training, accident investigation, and other activities for stimulating and maintaining interest in safety.
• Informs Power Plant Superintendent of operations problems and coordinates their solutions; assigns priorities to work performed; inspects safety system during major unit outages.
• Processes complaints or grievances and counsels employees; evaluates employees' work performance and makes recommendations for improving and upgrading their skills. Recommends or initiates personnel actions such as promotions, transfers, and disciplinary measures.
• Initiates and coordinates a communications program that will facilitate understanding of the objectives, policies, and activities of the plant and which will promote a well-informed and coordinated organization.
• Ensures the maintenance of the appropriate files of purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and invoices associated with plant maintenance.
• Remains well informed and up-to-date on the latest developments in the electric and water utility field by attending seminars, etc., and by reading numerous technical trade publications and pursuing studies on own initiative.
• Prepares annual budget item requests; initiates and checks purchase orders for needed equipment and materials; ensures that sufficient material and inventory is requisitioned; initiates or approves performance reports and reviews job evaluations.
• Records and computes budgeted and actual expenses, and prepares charts and reports to provide management with budget and expenditure controls and measurements; maintains files and records of estimates, budgets, and expenditures on power and desalination units.

Minimum Requirements:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical or electrical engineering and ten years of progressively responsible experience in power and water desalination plant maintenance work; five of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Required Skills:

• Ability to plan, assign, and direct the activities of technical and supervisory personnel engaged in a variety of plant maintenance functions.
• Ability to inspect, review and recommend changes in plant operations policies and procedures.
• Ability to direct the preparation of and to review detailed records and reports relating to power generation.
• Ability to deal effectively and courteously with employees, colleagues, and the general public.
• Ability to read, interpret and work from complex blueprints and specifications.
• Ability to demonstrate and understand the necessity and desire to provide continuous services of power and water to consumers.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally, and in writing; knowledge of the engineering discipline required to properly maintain all plant equipment.
• Thorough knowledge of the functions and operations of diesel and steam electric power generating plant equipment and machinery.
• Ability to establish maintenance schedules and to adjust such schedules as plant conditions warrant.
• Knowledge of the rules, safety practices, and procedures applicable to the work.