NorthStar Clean Energy owns and operates independent power generating plants, natural gas assets and an energy marketing group for the non-utility segment of CMS Energy's business. We are proud of our strong history of reliably serving our utility, municipal, commercial and industrial customers. To learn more about CMS Enterprises business, please visit https://northstarcleanenergy.com/overview/default.aspx.

We are looking for:

The Grayling Generating Station plant is a 38 MW biomass-fueled renewable energy power plant that produces electricity. The fuel consists primarily of bark and sawdust from local lumber mills and the non-marketable biomass from lumbering operations.

The power produced supports the health of the forests, mitigates greenhouse gases (is “carbon neutral”), conserves landfill space and supports the electric grid in northern Michigan. The electric output is sold pursuant to a long-term power purchase agreement with Consumers Energy Company. This facility can produce enough electricity to power approximately 38,000 homes. Commercial operation began in 1992.

Plant operators under general supervision are responsible for the operation of industrial machinery and equipment. They monitor, control, and maintain these systems to ensure that they run smoothly and efficiently. He or she will support the smooth and efficient running of the plant, as well as ensuring that all safety protocols are followed. The plant operator will also be responsible for conducting regular maintenance and repairs on the plant equipment as directed. Performs the typical duties of Fuel Supply Operator as required.

• Meets qualifications of a plant operator
• Have a working knowledge of LOTO, confined space, P & ID's, hot work
• Ability to use experience, analytical judgement, to plan and perform diversified work
• Good decision-making skills to keep all crew members and site equipment safe
• Excellent communication skills to provide clear direction and feedback to all team members on the site
• Agility to be able to work overtime, as well as rotating shift schedules that include weekends and holidays
• Proven experience as plant operator

This position reports to the Operations Supervisor at Grayling Generating Station in Grayling Michigan.
This is a non-union position with NorthStar Clean Energy, the unregulated side of CMS Energy, and is not a position of employment with Consumers Energy.

We encourage you to apply if you have: an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered and reviewed.

• High School Diploma OR GED is required
• 2+ years power plant operations experience as an operator and/or previous control room experience required
• Meets all qualifications of the Fuel Supply Operator position which are incorporated into this job description
• Possesses ability to read and understand moderately complex drawings, piping, and instrument diagrams

Preferred Skills:

• Trades or technical background
• 3+ years as a plant operator
• Previous experience as a Biomass (Wood) Fuel Supply Operator
• Previous experience as a Shift Supervisor
• Ability to use analytical judgment to plan and perform diversified work, making decisions within prescribed limitations
• Ability to provide clear communication and work well with plant personnel

Hours and Travel

• Ability to work overtime, as well as any shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to work prolonged, irregular working hours
  

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

Occasionally (O) Frequently (F) Constantly (C)

0-33% AWD 33-66% AWD 67% - 100% AWD

(AWD = Average Workday)

Using the above chart, identify with each activity below, the frequency that the activity takes place in an average workday.

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. (O)
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist. Requires full use of lower extremities and back muscles. (O)
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on one knee or both knees. (O)
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. (O)
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. (O)
• Sitting: Sitting upright in the work area to perform duties. (F)
• Crawling: Positioning the body so that weight is evenly distributed on both hands and knees on a flat surface. (O)
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time. (O)
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances. (F)
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. (O)
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects to thrust forward, downward or outward. (O)
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position- to-position. Requires substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles. (O)
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling. (O)
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. (O)
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. (F)
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds with no less than a 40 dB loss at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts. (F)
• Light Work – Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 5 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Medium Work – Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Heavy Work – Exerting up to 70 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Visual Acuity Requirements including Color, Depth Perception, & Field of Vision.
• Machine Operator (including inspection) - This is a minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection), using measurement devices, assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

CONDITIONS THE WORKER WILL BE SUBJECT TO IN THIS POSITION

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The employee is required to wear personal protective equipment (including a Respirator)
• Medium Work: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include, close vision, color vision, depth perception, field of vision and the ability to adjust focus
• Machine Operator (including inspection) - This is a minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection), using measurement devices, assembly, or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes
• Inside environmental conditions: Protection from weather conditions, but not necessarily from temperature changes
• Outside environmental conditions: Minimal protection from weather conditions and temperature changes
• Extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour during a work shift
• Extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour during a work shift
• Noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the employee to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level
• Hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, and exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals
• Atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that may affect the respiratory system or the skin: Fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases or poor ventilation
• Oils: There is air and/or skin exposure to oils and other cutting fluids

Mental/Emotional Demands of the job

Temperaments applying to this job include:

• Performing repetitive or short cycle work
• Influencing people in their opinions, attitudes, and judgments
• Working alone or apart, in physical isolation from others
• Working under specific instructions
• Dealing with people from multiple functions
• Making judgments and decisions
• Dealing with changing priorities
• Giving direction to others without having formal authority
• Working under pressure to meet specific deadlines
• Able to handle sudden high levels of stress and physical activity
• Dealing with unplanned schedule changes, call-ins and prolonged working hours
• This role is part of a very limited sized staff which requires dropping the job at hand to assist elsewhere in the plant on short notice, which adds extra stress to an already stressful daily routine
• Rotating shift work

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION – PLEASE READ

• A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and requirements are essential job functions
• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities
• Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position
• Employees will be required to follow any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor
• Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently
• This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

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