City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Power Plant (600+ MW) Manager

Under nominal direction, this position is responsible for all aspects of power generation operations and maintenance (O&M) activities and capital improvement projects (CIP) at facilities with 600 MW or more of installed generating capacity.

1. Provides direction and guidance on design, engineering, operation, maintenance, and construction projects for power generating facilities.
2. Provides oversight and direction to ensure power generation facilities operate safely and efficiently to produce and deliver clean, affordable, and reliable energy to benefit Austin Energy’s (AE) retail customers via the ERCOT wholesale market.
3. Implements programs to ensure a culture of compliance with all applicable safety, security, environmental, and regulatory requirements; and City of Austin and AE policy requirements. Ensures that all applicable safety and compliance policies and requirements are strictly adhered to.
4. Conducts program assessments for long- and short-term strategic initiatives to enhance plant performance and availability.
5. Develops or assists in development of business cases as needed to support process improvement efforts regarding safety, compliance, availability, efficiency, and cost reductions.
6. Implements Quality Management System (QMS) to achieve ISO-9001 Certification and ensures certification is maintained.
7. Ensures fiscal responsibility for O&M and CIP facility budgets.
8. Directs the activities of plant operations including review and development of plant operating procedures, generation availability, reactive power support, and coordination with AE’s Real Time Desk.
9. Directs the activities of plant maintenance including predictive, preventative, and corrective maintenance programs.
10. Directs the activities of Plant Engineering including plant performance studies, maintenance support, root cause analysis, equipment assessment, technical specifications, and outage management.
11. Establishes and communicate employee’s performance and behavior expectations, creates employees’ accountability, and promotes employees’ engagement and development.
12. Oversees and manages personnel issues per City of Austin Personnel Policies and Procedures.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, development, establishing performance goals, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal. 

• Knowledge of operations, maintenance, and environmental processes and procedures for a power-generating plant, electric utility power systems, a combined heat and power plant, or other related industrial facility.
• Knowledge of power generation concepts, principles, and alternatives.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality management system requirements.
• Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local requirements affecting power systems or power production facilities.
• Knowledge of TCEQ and EPA regulations affecting power plants.
• Knowledge of ERCOT operating guides and protocols.
• Knowledge of technology and applications commonly used in power systems or power plant planning, maintenance, and operations.
• Skill in applying sound engineering and/or management principles in identifying, analyzing, and resolving issues.
• Skill in developing and utilizing root cause analysis and after-action reviews as applicable to equipment failures, process breakdown, and safety incident review.
• Skill in establishing and setting appropriate priorities.
• Ability to effectively manage and lead large-scale projects.
• Ability to manage 24/7 operation and maintenance activities.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards.
• Ability to communicate and maintain positive relationships with technical and non-technical staff.
• Ability to establish meaningful performance measures to achieve department goals and objectives.
• Ability to create and maintain positive relationships with internal and external customers.
• Ability to apply leadership experience.
• Ability to manage supervisors and shift workers.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Engineering, Business, Construction Science or in a field related to the job, plus seven (7) years of experience in operations and maintenance of a power generating plant, a combined heat and power plant, or other utility scale operation or related industrial facility, including five (5) years of experience which were in a leadership role including supervisory responsibilities.
• Relevant experience may substitute for education up to four (4) years.