Operations Manager, Smarr Combined Cycle

Job Duties

This position will be responsible for integrating and developing the new Smarr Combined Cycle Plant processes, procedures, and operational tasks as required by OPC. This will include, but not limited to:

• Hiring of operations staff
• Coordinate training activities
• Supporting start up and commissioning activities with new plant staff
• Establishing budgetary needs for the station
• Working closely with Plant Manager and Maintenance Manager
• Developing operating and emergency procedures prior to commissioning
• Help support asset management and PM creation for all regulatory required activities
• Support other preventative maintenance creation with Maintenance Team
• Set up new administration building
• Establish LOTO program

This plant is expected to go into commercial operations in 2029. Once SMARR Combined Cycle is in commercial operation, the general function of the Operations Manager is to coordinate and supervise all plant operations to ensure that the facility is properly operated.

To assist in the operation of the power production facility owned by OPC, to provide reliable and efficient electric power generation in accordance with corporate safety policies and procedures and all applicable licenses, permits, regulatory, and governmental agencies. Establish and maintain standards, methods, and procedures to operate systems, equipment, and unit-plant performance testing.

Responsible for providing safe, reliable, and efficient electric power generation in compliance with corporate safety policies and procedures, mandatory electric reliability standards, FERC, NERC, EPA, EPD, OSHA, DOT, and all applicable governmental regulations.

Required Qualifications

Manage the Smarr Energy Facility day-to-day operations, personnel to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation in compliance with all policies, procedures, and regulations. Coordinate operations, maintenance, technical, and administrative personnel, warehousing, purchasing, and administrative programs to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant operation, complying with corporate policies and procedures and governmental regulations.

Provides direction and supervision to the administration and maintenance personnel, normally under the Maintenance Managers direction, as required when the Maintenance Manager is away from the plant site. Provide interface with various corporate departments as needed on planning, accounting, budget, engineering, reporting, and personnel issues and problems.

Prepare the operations department capital and operating budgets and is accountable for actual expenses in that area. Initiate and manage contracts, purchase orders, and blanket purchase orders, vendors, site security policies and procedures. Develop plan and implement cyber and physical security requirements.

Supervise the operator training programs to obtain maximum proficiency of plant personnel. Monitor and evaluate all operations training to ensure effectiveness of the programs. Develop advanced training plans and conference schedules for personnel. Audit the development of operating procedures, operator qualification statements, job description clearance, safety tagging, and skills development programs.

Make revisions to ensure maximum safety of personnel and equipment, economy of operation, and effective utilization of manpower. Analyze and resolve operating problems to ensure continuity and economy of the Plant Operations Department. Prepare requisitions to assure timely and adequate supply of equipment, materials, and supplies.

Maintain the knowledge and understanding of Oglethorpe Power Corporation policies and procedures. Emergency Action Plan, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Plan laws and directives as they apply in all employment practices. Has an administrative role in employee and labor relations.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent required. College degree preferred.

Experience

Required - Twelve (12) years progressively responsible power plant operations experience, to include gas-fired, coal, hydro, or nuclear units, of which four (4) years include supervisory management or leadership responsibilities.

Preferred - Shift operations, including control room experience. Previous experience with startup and commissioning new power plant units or integrating new power plant systems. Development of new employees with varying levels of experience.

Equivalent Experience - Combined years of equivalent education and experience must generally equal or exceed the required years of experience stated. Eight (8) years of experience, of which four (4) included supervisory management or leadership responsibilities, AND a four (4) year college degree. OR Ten (10) years of experience, of which four (4) included supervisory management or leadership responsibilities, AND two (2) years of college.

Equivalent experience will be determined based on a combination of education, training, and professional technical or military experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Education considered may include technical and college studies and degrees, industrial training programs, and certifications, and military training. Experience considered may include related industrial and military work. Supervisory management and leadership responsibilities may be considered in any work or military setting.

Specialized Skills

• A strong ability to work in a team environment.
• An effective manager of personnel and one that motivates others to succeed.
• Highly developed analytical and technical problem-solving capabilities.
• The ability to extract, comprehend, and develop instructions from technical manuals, journals, and drawings, technical literature, and other job-related material, and to effectively communicate orally and in writing, using the English language.
• Possess independent decision-making capabilities in stressful situations while keeping senior management informed.
• The ability to manage financial budget and assets for OPC property and associates.
• The ability to direct others in the performance of testing, checkout, and troubleshooting of equipment.
• The ability to provide technical direction and leadership when managing the modifications and/or repairs of plant equipment.
• The ability to perform contractor management as needed.
• Ability to use personal computers, including but not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications.
• Ability to plan, lay out, assign, manage, and inspect the work of others.
• Developing new operations team members from non-qualified to qualified operators.
• Bringing new units to commercial operation and implementing required procedures and processes.

Licenses, Registrations, and/or Certifications

• Valid drivers license, which meets the insurance eligibility requirements under Oglethorpe Powers qualification program.

Travel and Work Schedule

• Travel: 10%
• Unusual hours or overtime: 24/7 on-call status in response to plant emergencies.