Plant Manager I

at  Puget Sound Energy

Puget Sound Energy is looking to grow our community with top talented individuals like you! With our rapidly growing, award winning energy efficiency programs, our pathway to an exciting and innovative future is now.
PSE’s Generation & Natural Gas Storage team is looking for qualified candidates to fill an open Plant Manager I position!
Specific details regarding the work arrangements for this position will be discussed in further detail during the interview process.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Plant Manager position will be based at our Beaver Creek Wind Farm located outside of Columbus, Montana in Stillwater County. The position is responsible for all aspects of wind farm business, public and governmental relations, operation and maintenance including wind turbines, substation, 230kV OH inter-tie line, 34.5kV UG collector system, fiber-optic turbine communication system, SCADA system, and ancillary infrastructure systems; safety program and performance; financial planning, budgeting and objectives; establishing and enforcing plant policies and procedures; meeting energy generation and reliability targets: NERC/WECC & environmental compliance requirements; establishing and maintaining positive community relations; and building and retaining a well-trained and motivated staff in a culture of continuous improvement. Ability to climb wind turbines up to 300’FT and work in severe inclement (hot & cold) weather conditions. Generally will be responsible for power plant(s) with production capabilities up to 299 MWs.
Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE, OSHA and Montana State Labor & Industry requirements and operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Leads, promotes and supports a culture of total safety.
Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.
This job is considered “safety sensitive” as defined in RCW 49.44.240 and is subject to pre-employment drug screening that includes screening for the presence of marijuana and marijuana metabolites.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) years of combined industry experience and related education in effective operations and maintenance of power generation or other heavy industrial facilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Analytical skills to effectively and efficiently analyze a wide array of potential business challenges.
• Strong leadership capability; demonstrated experience and ability to lead and influence cross-functional teams and internal/external stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively manage changing priorities, demands, and timelines.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) years of industry experience in collecting and analyzing data to optimize plant operations.
• Experience working and/or managing within a Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Strong community involvement skills and experience with a commitment to establishing, building, and maintaining relationships.
• Competency in the utility regulatory environment.
• Proficient with suite of Microsoft Office word processing, presentation, spreadsheet and communication applications and business management applications and business management application such as SAP, ARIBA, Maximo, etc.

• Puget Sound Energy Management Representative for Montana, Stillwater County.
• Manage all Beaver Creek Wind Farm operations and maintenance activities, personnel and business relationships.
• Oversee wind farm safety and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Landowner contact, relations and liaison.
• Montana government relations contact and liaison.
• Local community and local business engagement and outreach.

Employee Development & Team Building - Providing employees with coaching, feedback, and developmental opportunities and building effective teams:

• Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results.
• Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews.
• Ensures employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements.
• Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions.
• Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to team members in order to achieve employee, business and customer results.
• Oversees and/or performs interviews, hiring, and plant staff development.
• Sets clear expectations and holds employees accountable for performance.

Safety Performance - Conducts operation and maintenance activities to maintain a safe environment for employees and visitors:

• Works with all personnel to create a culture of safety awareness to ensure an injury-free workplace, and facilitates regular safety and loss prevention training.
• Supports the on-site Safety Committee and ensures its effectiveness for staff, contractors, and consultants.
• Implements incident investigation and reporting program, leads investigation of all accidents, injuries, or near misses, prepares all recordable accident and investigation reports, ensures that the root-cause is determined and that appropriate preventive actions are recommended and implemented.
• Assures that facility staff is adequately trained for emergency response situations.

Operations & Maintenance – Oversee and manage the overall operation, maintenance, budgeting, planning, and administration of the assigned PSE generating facility(ies) to meet PSE safety, environmental, financial, and performance goals:

• Maintains high plant performance and availability consistent with safety and environmental constraints, approved budgets, and facility design limitations.
• Coordinates with PSE operations and energy trading groups to forecast and schedule production and delivery of energy and/or ancillary services from the facility.
• Responsible for and oversees the development, scheduling, and implementation of facility maintenance plans and long-term strategic work plan.
• Provides recommendations for cost-effective investments, procedural changes, or equipment modifications to enhance safety, compliance, and/or performance benefits.
• Oversees and administers service and warranty agreements with contractors, consultants and other service providers.
• Ensures that labor schedules and work practices are in accordance with the provisions of the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Prepares and/or approves all required facility production, safety, hazard, compliance, and financial reporting.
• Collaboratively work with other PSE departments, resource and regulatory agencies, and other organizations to facilitate operation of the facility.