• Job Description

  Req#: 466400

  Final Filing Date: First review of applications will be on August 15, 2023. NCPA reserves the right to close this posting once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

  
  

  The Geothermal (GEO) Facilities Plant Manager provides strategic leadership, vision and direction in the operations, maintenance, regulatory compliance, and improvement of the GEO Facilities while supporting the mission of the Northern California Power Agency as directed by the agency members, general manager, and assistant general manager. This position directs the overall financial and operational performance of NCPA’s GEO Facilites, including three steam turbines, a geothermal steam field, two solar projects, an effluent pipeline, and a transmission line. The Plant Manager motivates, influences, and directs the work activities of approximately 38 staff to ensure the safe, effective, and optimized operation of the GEO Facilities.

  
  ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  This position requires the incumbent reports for work on time and maintains satisfactory attendance in accordance with Agency policy; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives to meetings and appointments on time; Performs special assignments for the Assistant General Manager. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  Responsibilities:

  Development of GEO Facilities’ operations, maintenance, and compliance processes and staff to ensure facilities are operated in safe, environmentally responsible, efficient and cost-effective manner while meeting GEO Facilities, generation services, and agency goals and objectives.

  Effectively manages assets to ensure units maintain the highest possible availability so that the units may be effectively optimized against CAISO market opportunities.

  Maintains regulatory compliance with all Federal, State, and local regulations and agencies associated with the generating power plants, including local air boards, local water boards, NERC, CALOSHA, California Energy Commission Permits, Federal DOT, etc.

  Develops, monitors and reviews the current year’s budget and provides cost containment where possible. Identifies and recommends future budget requirements. Identifies and justifies capital improvement programs through cost-benefit analysis for the projects.

  Attends and contributes to agency team activities; Facilities Committee (Project Participants), Safety Committee, Budget Workshops, Strategic Planning, and Agency Annual meetings.

  Implements, manages, updates and maintains plant procedures, site policies, training programs, safety programs and work practices. Manages the safety program for GEO Facilities. Ensures the projects meet all required safety program requirements as dictated by regulatory agencies and agency guidelines. Monitors and enhances safety programs to reduce reportable accidents and lost time accidents. Participates as an active team member in the agency-wide safety committee.

  Provides leadership, team building, mentoring, and coaching. Manages the hiring and training of all plant personnel. Assures a positive working environment by maintaining discipline, morale, and employee relations. Prepares performance reviews, salary recommendations, and disciplinary recommendations.

  Develops or implements projects to improve efficiency, economy, or effectiveness of GEO Facilities plant operations. Monitors plant performance, and investigate and correct abnormal conditions. Evaluates and implements commercial (contractual, taxes, etc.) initiatives designed to improve the overall economics for the assets.

  Develops or reviews annual plans, power contracts, power rates, standing operating procedures, power reviews, or engineering studies. Works closely with the NCPA Power Management team to optimize the value of the plant and suggest bid strategies. Understands the energy market dynamics.

  Supervises GEO Facilities plant equipment installations, upgrades, or maintenance.

  Develops a strategic plan for the GEO Facilities to ensure continued value in the marketplace and proposes, evaluates, and implements equipment and system improvements.

  Manages on-site subcontractors and coordinates subcontractor activities with other departments.

  MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  Education and/or Experience:

  Requires a minimum of ten years of power plant-related experience in a supervisory or managerial role. Candidates must have a detailed understanding of thermal generation power plants, such as operations and maintenance of power plant equipment, CMMS systems, EH&S standards, and the California energy markets. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Electrical engineering or an equivalent combination of education and experience is also highly desired.

  California professional engineer registration is highly desirable.

  KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

  Knowledge:
  Knowledge of practical engineering principles as applied to the electrical and mechanical systems of GEO Facilities; Knowledge of CMMS systems and best maintenance practices; Knowledge of project budgeting and cost control practices; Knowledge of procedures of regulatory and government agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the California Independent System Operator within the electric utility field; Knowledge of safety work practices and principles associated in working around generating facilities; Knowledge of fire protection and security systems for generating facilities. Ability to quickly learn Agency policies and procedures and to adapt to and support the Agency culture at the GEO Facilities.

  Abilities:
  Ability to effectively present and communicate information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public; take effective action in the event of major equipment breakdown or other plant emergency; plan and direct the work of others; prepare reports; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, and negotiate and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work and take initiative and make sound decisions, assuming ownership and accountability for issues, problems, projects, and assignments.

  SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  Valid California Driver's License and insurance.

  Manages eight direct reports, with four of them as subordinate supervisors who supervise a total of 31 employees in the Geothermal Maintenance & Operations, Reliability and Technical Services, and Steam Production. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these units. Also directly supervises four non-supervisory employees. Carries out management responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

  WORK ENVIRONMENT

  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

  All employees are responsible for contributing to an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences and is free from discrimination.

• About the company

  The Northern California Power Agency--Bringing the Benefits of Joint Action to California for Over 50 Years

Notice