Assistant Power Plant Manager

Job Summary

Location: Marshall, MI

This position is responsible for overseeing, managing, and directing the day-to-day operation and maintenance activities for utility and energy-related assets located within the newly constructed Central Utility Plant (CUP) located at Ford’s BlueOval Battery Park Michigan complex located in Marshall, MI; along with the associated distribution infrastructure needed to supply Steam, Hot Water, Chilled Water, and Cooling Water to BlueOval Battery Park Michigan.  Plant equipment includes the following: (2) 7.8 MW Solar Taurus 70 Gas Turbine Generators with associated Rentech 160 KPPH Heat Recovery Steam Generator’s with Duct Burners and Fresh Air Firing capability, (2) 14,000 MBH Hot Oil Heaters, (4) 25,000 MBH, steam-to-hot water heat exchangers, economizers, deaerators, boiler feed water pumps, and condensate pumps.  Also included is a 14,450 ton modular chilled water plant with an associated 15-cell, 48,000-gpm modular cooling tower. Balance of plant equipment includes air compressors, water treatment systems, pumps, filters, instrumentation, PLC controls and 15/5 kV, 480 V and 125 VDC electrical systems.

Position will be located on site during the CUP’s construction, startup, and commissioning with the responsibility of ensuring that the facility and staff are ready to begin 24/7/365 operations at project completion and turnover.

Key Accountabilities

• Support the hiring, onboarding, and training of the DTE Marshall hourly Operations Staff
• Participate in daily construction team meetings and assist with oversight on the quality of the CUP construction with an emphasis on the long-term operation of the facility
• Work with hourly workforce to create punch list items needed for the on the CUP’s systems to facilitate a safe and efficient turnover from construction to operations
• Work with the commissioning agents to transition the Lock Out Tag Out system and responsibility from Construction to Operations
• Ensure that the utility assets are operated in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner while ensuring all contract deliverables are met
• Supervise and direct the daily activities of an hourly workforce consisting of 10 Operating Engineers, a Lead Operating Engineer, and an IC&E Technician
• Directly manage 3rd party vendors and contractors as required
• Understand and adhere to all commercial and contractual obligations
• Develop and maintain a close working relationship with the Utility and key customer personnel (Ford)
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

Must have a high school diploma or GED and a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in the operation, maintenance and administration of powerhouses, utility systems or similar plant assets.  Experience with (Gas Turbines, HRSG’s/Boilers, Chillers, Steam Distribution, Medium Voltage Switchgear, Pumping Systems and Ancillary Equipment,) is required. 

Other Qualifications

• Experience supervising unionized labor is preferred
• Must demonstrate an ability to understand and administer complex commercial agreements related to delivering reliable energy services to a Customer on a 24 hour per day, 7 day per week basis
• An understanding of the operation and maintenance of plant equipment, including the importance of ensuring high availability, reliability, and efficiency
• Working knowledge of powerhouse equipment and systems, including but not limited to chillers, electrical distribution, heat exchangers, steam distribution, chemical treatment equipment, transformers, motors, pumps, piping/valves, instrumentation, control systems, etc.
• An understanding of energy efficiency practices and energy conservation techniques
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, etc.)
• Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Ability to develop and manage operating & maintenance budgets
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
• Capable of working alone or as part of a team without a significant level of supervision
• Ability to balance time and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Capable of promoting and maintaining strong, positive relationships with coworkers, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and customers
• Willingness to share expertise and knowledge with other team members for the benefit of the entire Onsite Energy business unit
• A technical school degree is preferred

Physical Demands & Working Conditions

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is frequently required to:

• Occasionally stand or walk and stoop or kneel
• Frequently sit
• Talk and hear, use hands and fingers; handle and feel' and able to reach with hands and arems extensively 
• Enter and work in confined space areas, including boilers, condensers, tanks, etc. to evaluate equipment condition or inspect work efforts by assigned resources
• Frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight. Occasionally lift or move onjectos of up to 40 pounds in weight
• Use computers with exposure to video display terminals; and some repetitive motion associated with data entry, the use of a computer mouse, and while using other office equipment
• Possess the following vision requirements: close, color, distance, peripheral, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

Work both in a business office setting and a plant site. Occasionally be exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or himid conditions, and may work near moving mechanical parts and/or machinery. Occasionally be exposed to fumes or airborne particles and vibration. Be in a work environment that is usually moderat but may become loud at the plant site

Additional Information

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.