Job: Plant Manager – Neal Hot Springs geothermal plant, Oregon

U.S. Geothermal is seeking to fill the position of Plant Manager for its Neal Hot Springs geothermal power plant in Vale, Oregon. The position provides operational and maintenance management of the plant by USG Oregon, LLC (a subsidiary of U S Geothermal, Inc.)

The Neal Hot Springs geothermal power plant is located 15 miles west of Vale, Oregon and is a TAS Binary Cycle low temperature turbine generator set, of nominal 22 MW or greater capacity.

US Geothermal believes strongly in a team approach to leadership, and the successful candidate will share that conviction.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Including but not limited to:

• Supervise facility staff including training, work prioritization motivation and safety. This includes direct oversight of facilities operating procedures, maintenance procedures and programs, spare parts and inventory systems.
• Oversee all routine operational tasks including rounds, data collection, and water chemistry.
• Provide first line of support to the facilities in the event of an operational upset.
• Optimize facility performance. Identify, investigate, define, and resolve facility operational and maintenance problems.
• Assist in the preparation of the annual capital and O&M budgets.
• Support compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Achieve a general understanding of all contracts, permits and other governing documents and adherence to those documents.
• Prepare monthly reports regarding operations and maintenance activities.
• Assign and oversee completion of all work orders per schedule with updates to scheduling.
• Prepare plans for all major maintenance evolutions, including personnel, contractor, and vendor scheduling and interface.
• Monitor, evaluate and maintain facility performance as required per PPA and other agreements in order to ensure that capacity and efficiency are maximized.
• Devise and implement improvement projects both capital and non-capital that increase the profit of the facilities.
• Assist in identifying and managing warranty claims as necessary.
• Perform any other reasonable duty or responsibility dictated by the VP of Operations.
• Ensure that the VP of Operations is informed of general plant status at all times.
• This position requires occasional travel.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• The successful candidate will have extensive knowledge of turbine and ancillary equipment theory, operation and maintenance;
  Controls experience, particularly Allen Bradley Compact Logix/Micrologix 5000 based software platforms a plus.
• A level of advanced technical skills, such as rotating-equipment vibration analysis, electrical troubleshooting, etc. desired.
• Must also have a basic knowledge of environmental regulation and permit requirements or the ability to rapidly assimilate same.
• Will possess proven leadership and demonstrate qualities as a dynamic, pro-active professional.
• Experience with Ormat Energy Conversion turbines a plus.
• Brush generator experience desirable.
• Closed loop thermodynamic systems experience, including HRSGs, Boilers, OEC, and turbines, a plus.
• Prefer an individual with excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Capable of working safely in a plant atmosphere, including ability to hear aural alarms and see hazardous conditions.
• A strong understanding of plant operations and maintenance, with actual operating experience a plus.
• Must be capable of writing and/or editing plant operating procedures.
• Must have strong interpersonal, including verbal and written communication skills; accurate report-writing required.
• Must have basic skills in standard word-processing and spreadsheet software, such as MS Word and Excel.
• Must be able to supervise the implementation of data based programs for maintenance management software and vibration analysis software.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering (including derivatives), or other applicable field from an accredited college or university is desired.
• Exceptional work or military experience may be substituted for degree at our option.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in power generation.
• Material and Equipment Directly Used- Office equipment, including computer w/ applicable business software (currently Microsoft products).
• Various ordinary and specialized hand tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment and tools.
• All power plant equipment including pumps, turbines, electrical switchgear, valves, engines, boilers, etc.
• Chemical handling
• Vehicle maintenance and operation, including trucks, forklifts, mobile cranes, etc.

Working Environment

• Work is generally performed inside plant office or inside the plant but will require work outside in inclement weather, and in equipment packages.
• Individual will share on-call duties with senior control operator, and occasionally with the VP of Operations.
• Successful candidate is expected to reside within no more than about 80-minutes of the facility for all but the most inclement of weather.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid unrestricted driver’s license for the state of residence.

Physical Demands

• Work is generally not physically demanding but requires the ability to climb stairs and ladders, and lift 50 pounds and carry a few feet.
• Work is sometimes performed at high levels of exertion, especially during times of plant upset.
• Able to see so as to adequately perform the job requirements.
• Able to hear (at some acceptable dB limit of loss) in order to hear plant alarms, equipment condition, and to receive oral information.
• Able to wear a respirator.
• Able to physically participate in equipment removal, teardown, repair and replacement as required.

Mental Demands

• Able to perform common power-industry mathematics and analysis;
• Able to respond quickly and appropriately and direct others suitably during abnormal plant operating conditions, including bona fide emergencies;
• Able to clearly and accurately communicate verbally with subordinates and superiors as required;
• Able to analyze cause-and-effect relationships with plant systems;
• Able to efficiently devise clear written procedures, reports and business communications;
• Able to handle self and direct others during times of emergency such as fire, electrical storm, etc.

 Source: Monster.com

Alexander Richter

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