Auxiliary Operator

The Altavista Biomass Power Station is a renewable energy facility located within the Lynchburg, Virginia metro region, in the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The facility has a capacity of 51 MW and is equipped with two B&W boilers, a Mitsubishi steam turbine, and an Alstom generator working in synergy to generate electricity from biomass feedstocks. NAES has a long-standing operating history with the regulated electric utility that owns the station. The plant’s electrical generation is included as a valuable resource in the utility’s long-range plans.

Opportunity Summary

The Auxiliary Plant Operator supports daily operations at the Altavista Biomass Power Station, including start-up, shutdown, and routine tasks across fuel handling, boilers, and auxiliary systems. The plant features two Babcock & Wilcox boilers, a Mitsubishi steam turbine, and an Alstom generator converting biomass into renewable power. Duties include system inspections, basic maintenance, and coordination with the control room to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operations. Operated by NAES, Altavista is a key resource in the long-term energy plan of the regulated utility that owns the facility.

Your scope of responsibility as Auxiliary Operator will include the following primary functions:

• Assist with start-up, shutdown, and routine operations of biomass plant systems in accordance with established procedures and safety protocols.
• Operate and monitor key auxiliary systems such as biomass fuel conveyors, feed systems, ash handling equipment, air compressors, boiler feedwater systems, and emissions control systems (e.g., baghouse filters, SCR).
• Monitor plant operations involving two Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) boilers, a Mitsubishi steam turbine, and an Alstom generator, ensuring these components work in synergy to generate electricity from biomass feedstocks.
• Conduct routine inspections, diagnostics, and performance tests on assigned systems and components, and perform minor repairs or adjustments to ensure reliable operation.
• Carry out control room orders to prepare equipment for service or safely remove it from operation. Tasks include isolation, lockout/tagout, and ensuring all safety protocols are observed during clearances and handovers.
• Perform routine water chemistry analysis on boiler feedwater and condensate systems; operate the Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) to ensure compliance with environmental and regulatory standards.
• Maintain accurate and timely operating logs and shift reports in accordance with regulatory and company requirements; issue and approve Tag Outs when authorized.
• Identify and report abnormal or off-normal equipment or process conditions to the Control Room Operator (CRO), and support or take corrective actions as needed.
• Assist with mechanical and electrical maintenance activities including Lockout/Tagout support, equipment identification, troubleshooting, and maintenance request generation.
• Utilize a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to document work performed, track system performance, and assist with work planning and material requisition.
• Support NAES’s continued partnership with the plant’s regulated utility owner by upholding high operational standards for a facility considered a long-term strategic resource in the utility’s planning portfolio.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the control room or plant management in support of reliable and efficient plant operations.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Auxiliary Plant Operator reports to the Operations Manager and takes direction from the Plant Manager or Control Room Operator depending on assigned duties.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical demands include standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders, entering, and exiting equipment cabs, and traversing uneven or elevated surfaces. The role requires routinely lifting up to 50 pounds and performing tasks from elevated platforms, walkways, or in confined spaces.

Work may be performed in conditions involving dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise levels, and extreme temperatures near operating equipment. Outdoor tasks in all weather conditions are required, including in high-heat environments adjacent to biomass processing systems.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory and may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), respirators, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions are enforced in and around the facility to ensure plant safety and environmental compliance.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Auxiliary Operator follows a four-days-on, four-days-off rotation of 12-hour shifts, alternating between daytime and nighttime schedules. This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $27.07 to $30.00 per hour, along with an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications and Skills

We are seeking a capable and safety-minded Operator with foundational experience in biomass or thermal power generation operations and a strong commitment to teamwork and performance excellence.

• High school diploma or equivalent is required. An associate degree or certification in Power Plant Technology, Process Operations, or a related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in operations or technician roles within power generation or heavy industrial settings, ideally with exposure to biomass, waste-to-energy, or boiler-based steam generation systems.
• Hands-on experience operating or maintaining equipment such as biomass fuel handling systems, combustion systems, ash collection systems, air compressors, and feedwater systems is strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with water chemistry, basic emissions control technologies (e.g., baghouse, scrubber, SCR), and boiler water/steam cycles is beneficial.
• Experience working operating and maintaining steam turbines and generators. Prior experience with Mitsubishi steam turbines and Alstom generators is a plus.
• Basic understanding of combustion processes, steam systems, and thermodynamic principles in a biomass or similar environment.
• Working knowledge of industrial safety practices, including hazard identification, lockout/tagout, confined space entry, and fall protection.
• Understanding of electrical systems and equipment, including knowledge of electrical isolation procedures and general safety practices in high-voltage environments.
• Ability to read and interpret piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), equipment manuals, and operational procedures.
• Awareness of applicable safety and environmental regulations such as OSHA, NFPA, and EPA requirements related to biomass plant operations.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.