Renewable Energy Plant Operator NY - DOT

Job Summary

Location: Scipio Center, NY

This position is responsible for performing maintenance and operations for a dairy farm-based biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG) processing facility. The site consists of four anaerobic digesters and a facility that strips carbon dioxide and other constituents out of the biogas stream, creating RNG. The RNG is then compressed into CNG trailers which are trucked to a DTE owned facility outside of Manitowoc, WI, where it is decompressed and injected into an interstate pipeline. Employees receive a generous compensation and benefit package including:

• Competitive wages and an annual performance bonus
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401k with top-tier company match
• Paid time off including vacation, sick time, holidays, and parental leave
• Tuition assistance
• Advancement opportunities

The employee will be required to operate and maintain a DOT regulated pipeline. Employee will be subject to random drug screening during employment per DOT PHMSA requirements. 

Key Accountabilities

• Conduct day-to-day operations and maintenance of the plant, which will involve working with mechanical and electrical equipment
• Maintenance of digesters (mixers, pumps, etc.), compressors, gas purification systems and pipelines
• Diagnosing and correcting adverse digester and plant conditions and malfunctions
• Respond to alarm conditions, troubleshoot, and repair systems to restore operational capacity
• Adhere to company and project specific health and safety requirements, participate in monthly safety audits and inspections
• Maintain administrative records including logbook, filing system for drawings, instruction books and manuals, spare parts inventory, and records
• Support, assist and direct the work of contractors on-site
• Routinely operate a motor vehicle and/or off-road vehicle on undeveloped terrain
• Required to respond to plant upset conditions (call-outs) outside of normal business hours, work unscheduled overtime and may occasionally be required to travel to other work locations
• Employees may be required to work rotating or alternate shifts to support plant needs
• Ability to work independently with little or no supervision

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Possess a valid driver’s license and have a good driving record
• Knowledge of mechanical, electrical and instrument control systems including equipment such as motors, blowers, controls, and pumps
• Ability to analyze problems, develop solutions and recommend sound alternatives
• Ability to work overtime including call outs outside of normal business hours, weekends, and holidays
• Basic computer skills and proficiency with MS Office applications

Other Qualifications

Preferred:

• A technical degree in an electrical or mechanical field is preferable, or equivalent work experience with electrical and mechanical systems
• Familiar with gas compression and/or gas transportation
• Previous military experience

Other Requirements:

• Required to respond to plant upset conditions (call-outs) outside of normal business hours, work unscheduled overtime and may occasionally be required to travel to other work locations using personal transportation (travel expense reimbursed within policy limits).

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 required to:

• Ability to wear personal protective equipment including, but not limited to hearing protection, hard hat, safety boots, safety glasses or goggles, flame-resistant/arc flash uniform, gloves, vest, gas monitor, respirator.
• May be required to use respiratory protection. Use of certain respirators require employee to be clean shaven (except for facial hair that does not affect the respirator seal) when reporting to work.
• Use hands and fingers to handle and manipulate objects (tools, equipment, and vehicle controls), as well as to talk and hear (in person, telephone, and/or via 2-way radio) in noisy environments.
• Routinely operating a motor vehicle and/or ATV style off road vehicle on unimproved terrain.
• Use computers, mouse, keyboard, and other office equipment.
• Ability to sit, stand, climb, or walk for 8 - 14-hour shifts, including walking long distances, up and down stairs/ladders, uneven ground (i.e., shallows, steep slopes, gravel, mud, etc.).
• Ability to enter and work in pits and/or non- permit confined space areas.
• Frequently squat, stoop, kneel, grasp, balance, crouch, reach, pull, and push objects.
• Frequently lift objects of up to 35 pounds in weight and occasionally lift or move objects of up to 50 pounds in weight.
• Vision requirements for this position include close vision, color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, including extreme heat/cold, wet and/or humid conditions. Most work is within the vicinity of a municipal solid waste disposal facility. Potential exposure to gases, vapors, fumes or airborne particles, hot and cold surfaces, vibration, landfill/municipal waste, manure, biogas, low or high voltage electrical hazards, and noisy environments.  

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.