Fuel Supply Operator - NorthStar Clean Energy

Located in the Dort-Carpenter Industrial Center near Flint, Mich., Genesee Power Station is a renewable energy facility that burns a variety of biomass materials that would otherwise be landfilled, including: tree trimmings, land-clearing residue, construction debris, pallets, spools and other clean industrial wood wastes from furniture, automotive and other manufacturers, along with municipalities and tree service companies. The plant generates steam with a single conventional ABB Combustion Engineering VU-40 hydra grate boiler. Particulates are removed from the flue gas stream by a multi-cyclone and an electrostatic precipitator. Steam is converted to electricity using an ABB single-flow condensing turbine coupled to an ABB synchronous generator.

The electric output is sold pursuant to a long-term power purchase agreement with Consumers Energy. With its operating office in Flint, Michigan and wood collection centers in Macomb and Novi, Michigan, NorthStar Clean Energy affiliate Mid-Michigan Recycling procures wood waste used at the facility. Commercial operation began in 1995.

The Fuel Supply Operator is responsible for equipment operation and record keeping duties on a variety of moderately complex systems such as: wood fuel handling, ash handling, and heavy equipment within established procedures. Also responsible for various housekeeping and maintenance tasks.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Operate fuel and/or ash handling equipment which may include wheel loaders, track driven dozers and various machinery in a safe and efficient manner
• Logs significant activities and events and maintains accurate operational logs on mobile equipment
• Perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on mobile/fuel train equipment routinely and thoroughly. Clean mobile, fuel yard and heavy equipment, as required
• Maintain a safe work environment through job planning and identification and correction of hazards
• Inspect fuel deliveries for compliance as outlined in the wood waste procurement and monitoring plan
• Assist with plant operation and maintenance, as required; including forced and planned outages. Perform inspection and maintenance activities on all equipment in accordance with established schedules, or as needed
• Maintain a clean and safe work area; regularly clean, sweep, and pick up conveyor spillage; unplugs choke points / obstructions from fuel train components; report or resolve any unsafe conditions immediately
• Receive, unload, mix, stage, and stack/store fuel in a manner consistent with established fuel handling procedures. Reclaim fuel as necessary to support overall plant operation
  Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Be able to use standard computer software programs such as spreadsheets, word processors, databases and other common programs
• Have a thorough knowledge of Large Mobile Heavy Equipment (e.g., CAT D8 Dozers, CAT 938 loaders) operation and established procedures
• Previous experience operating and/or maintaining heavy equipment, including a bulldozer (e.g., construction, farming equipment)
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers and take direction from others
• Thorough knowledge of all fuel and ash handling systems and understanding of heavy equipment, plant procedures and measurement standards
• Ethics and standards of conduct

Position Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required
• Associate's Degree preferred
• 2+ years' experience in operating and/or maintaining heavy equipment (e.g., construction, farming equipment, bulldozer) required

Working Conditions:

• Indoor and outdoor work including in hazardous power plant environments including steam, hot water and computer work
• Field and Plant Operations