Plant Operator, Cadillac, MI

Page 1 of 2

Effective 01.2022

Job Title:

Plant Operator

Reports to:

Operations & Maintenance Manager

Summary:

The Plant Operator is responsible for the safe and efficient management of the fuel supply at the Cadillac facility, a 40 MW biomass facility.

Job Description:

With safety of yourself and all those around you as the highest priority, the Plant Operator is expected to:

• Operate, maintain and repair equipment, such as repairs Zurn travelling grate boiler, steam generators, steam turbines, electrical generators, air compressors, motors, pumps, compressors, electrical switch gear, loaders, ash and fuel handling systems, bulldozers and small utility equipment;

• Work rotating shift hours, overtime, and irregular hours as needed to support reliable operation of the facility;

• Record data such as temperature of equipment, hours of operation, fuel consumption, temperature or pressure, water level, analysis of flue gases, voltage load, and generator balance;

• Uses prescribed plant operations procedures to adjust manual control or override automatic controls to bring equipment into recommended or prescribed operating range;

• Operate the plant equipment in a safe manner through the use of plant operations procedures as directed by the Shift Supervisor;

• Perform routine plant rounds and record keeping;
• May assist with scheduled, unscheduled, and preventative maintenance tasks;
• Perform all aspects of water test and treatments;
• Comply with company plant safety and regulatory procedures;
• For safety reasons, must be able to communicate both audibly and visually.
• Possess a conceptual understanding of plant systems, including hydraulic theory;
• Ability to interpret drawings, blueprints, schematics and diagrams for a variety of

systems;
• Ability to operate heavy equipment, including loaders, dozers and forklifts as necessary;
• Ability to weld and fabricate basic assemblies;
• Ability to install, align, dismantle and move stationary industrial machinery and

mechanical; equipment, such as pumps, fans, and conveyors according to layout plans;
• Ability to inspect and examine machinery and equipment to detect and investigate

irregularities and malfunctions;
• Ability to interpret lube oil analysis results and make recommendations;
• Computer competency is a necessity;
• Proficient technical report writing skills.

Page 2 of 2

Effective 01.2022

Requirements:

Education
• High School graduate or equivalent

Experience
• Valid driver’s license
• Minimum of two-four (2-4) years’ experience and/or training equivalent combination of

education and experience in a Biomass facility or similar industrial environment.

Work Process Skills
• While engaged in company business, employees are expected to conduct themselves in

a courteous business-like manner, showing respect and consideration for fellow employees and other site personnel, such as contractors and guests;

• Cooperate with your co-workers in a manner that is positive and constructive; accept that there are different opinions and ideas; discuss issues in a professional manner looking for solutions that can be resolved at your level;

• To communicate work related issues along with recommended solutions to your coworkers and/or supervisor in a timely and professional manner;

• Be accepting of changes to your day to day routing as the business needs dictate;
• To be appropriately dressed and ready for work prior to the start of a working shift

through to the end of the shift;
• Comply with all Atlantic Power policies and procedures.

Physical Requirements
• Ability to perform manual tasks including but not limited to operation of hand and

power tools;
• Ability to lift at least 80 lbs.;
• Ability to bend and maneuver in tight, cramped quarters;
• Ability to work in hot, noisy and dark environments;
• Ability to work at heights;
• Ability to work with and wear respiratory protection;
• Ability to reach with hands and arms above shoulder level and at shoulder level;
• Ability to walk, stand, stoop, kneel, and bend for prolonged periods of time;
• Able to grip and manually manipulate, often with repetitive motion, items such as, but

not limited to, hand tools and machine parts;
• Ability to communicate clearly with plant personnel, including the ability to give and

receive instructions over a radio;
• Ability to see clearly; safely and readily identifying the labels, gauges, dials and

indicators typically encountered in performing job duties;
• Ability to read, write and understand instructions and procedures in English;
• Ability to work outside of a normal shift rotation during call-outs or planned

maintenance outages.