Instrument Control & Electrical Team Lead - Onward Energy

THE COMPANY

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 4,000 MW of utility-scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North America’s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our associates, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation. Based in Denver, and Charlotte, Onward Energy is a company where people and power are always on. We are where renewable meets reliable. See www.onwardenergy.com for more information.

1. Mankato Energy Center (MEC) is a 720-megawatt natural gas-fired combined-cycle facility located within the city limits on the northern edge of the City of Mankato, Minnesota. project operates in the MISO power market and sells energy under contract to Northern States Power (NSP), a subsidiary of Xcel Energy. MEC I became commercially operational in July 2006 in a 1x1 configuration and is contracted through July 2028. In 2019 MEC II began commercial operations and is contracted with NSP through 2039. MEC I has a Siemens SGT6-5000F(3) combustion turbine rated at approximately 225 MW (at ISO Conditions) with a Nooter Eriksen HRSG. MEC II has a Siemens SGT6-5000F(4) combustion turbine rated at approximately 232 MW (at ISO Conditions) with a Nooter Eriksen HRSG. Both units deliver steam to a single Toshiba TCDF-40L steam turbine rated at 330MW.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This position is responsible for leading instrument, control and electrical personnel to support the efficient and reliable operation of the facility and ensure compliance with safety and environmental standards. This position is an integral part of the plant maintenance team, which will be responsible for executing our maintenance plan and clearly communicating with other team leaders and plant management on impeding issues as they arise.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist O&M Manager in providing oversight of and direction to all mission critical programs and processes such as performance management, outage management, project management, asset integrity and financial management.
• Provide visible safety leadership and actively contribute to the creation, implementation, and continuous improvement of a strong, sustainable safety culture. Drive real time safety accountability by engaging the team through safety meeting participation, job briefs, audits, training, accident investigation/event assessment, and job site observations.
• Follows all safety/environmental policies, procedures, rules, and participating in training. Promotes the company’s values, Accountability, Adaptability, Collaboration, & Excellence.
• Coordinate and lead all instrumentation, controls, and electrical functions necessary to ensure the efficient and reliable operation of the plant to meet scheduled production level. Must be able to take immediate and decisive action to minimize disruption of operations.
• Maintain and enforce safety procedures, including all lockout/tagout and safe work procedures. Maintain direct working relationships with environmental, health and safety representatives.
• Develop and direct the implementation of instrumentation, controls, and electrical procedures and plans to assure optimum efficiency and effectiveness in outage planning, considering equipment capabilities, customer demands, operating personnel, and equipment maintenance requirements.
• Provide direct leadership over crew effectiveness, quality, and productivity. Maintain a continuous presence in the work environment and assist in removing barriers with pre-requisites, materials, stakeholder, and other issues. Ensure correct crew composition and skills are in place to meet operational, reliability, customer, and financial objectives. Assist in preparing resource forecasts and providing input to longer-term work plans.
• Maintain needed site spare parts in coordination with ICE and warehouse personnel.
• Actively supports compliance with all applicable provisions of federal and state labor laws, environmental regulations, as well as company policies and procedures.
• Perform administrative activities necessary for the effective leadership of the department, including employee safety, selection and development of employees, salary administration, budget administration, employee counseling and motivation, organizational goals and objectives, planning, organizing, integrating, measuring, and reporting the work performed within the department.
• Develop contracts, in coordination with others, and oversee performance of instrumentation, controls, and electrical service agreements and support contractors required for on-site maintenance.
• Follows all safety/environmental policies, procedures, rules, and participating in training. Promotes the company’s values, Accountable, People First, Inclusive, Flexible & Excellence.
• Work under limited supervision.
• Independently prioritizes and executes responsibilities.
• Provide management direction in the absence of the O&M Manager.
• Support inventory management and procurement activities.
• Devise and implement profit improvement projects.
• Provide technical support to corporate business development and other Onward Energy plants as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

THE PROFILE TO SUCCEED

• Minimum of 7 years power plant experience (or similar process) with emphasis on plant control systems and instrumentation.
• Preferred bachelor’s degree in an engineering or related technical discipline.
• Extensive working knowledge of instrumentation, controls and electrical is required.
• Previous leadership experience is preferred.
• Moderate working knowledge of Maximo is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of either Emerson Ovation or Siemens T3000 DCS is preferred.
• Knowledge of industrial electricity and safety practices, precautions, and procedures is preferred.
• Maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity in all dealings with or on behalf of Onward Energy at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• Ability to lead, coach, and guide employees and understand the importance of positive employee relations.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, verbal skills that are persuasive, and the ability to promote business initiatives.
• Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and direct varied programs and tasks involved within the operations and maintenance functions.
• Ability to obtain and apply knowledge of competitive business practices in daily work activities and decision making.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to anticipate and accept changes in the organization and adapt to meet new requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Ability to demonstrate advanced computer knowledge of Word, Excel, Power Point, and various other programs.
• Ability to follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Ability to prioritize, handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
• Valid U.S. Driver license with acceptable MVR history.

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Associate will be required to adhere to large amounts of standing, walking, bending, squatting, and lifting. May be required to lift, carry, and move up to 50 lbs. Will use arms and hands to signal, grab, hold, turn, push, and pull objects, materials, controls and tools. Will occasionally work at heights, climb ladders, stairways, and work off of platforms. Will use vision abilities to focus, see short and long distances, colors, depth perception and peripheral vision. Will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to hard hat, safety glasses/goggles, ear plugs/muffs, masks/respirators, safety vests, gloves and steel-toe boots.
• Able to hear (at some dB limit of loss) in order to hear plant alarms, equipment condition, and to receive oral instructions.
• Able to see to determine plant operating conditions and to avoid safety hazards.
• Work extended hours and varied shifts with the possibility of weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload, and plant conditions. On Call status will be required.

THE TEAM

1. Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace our values of accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and excellence. At Onward Energy, we seek to find solutions rather than assign blame.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is generally performed inside the power plant but may work in all weather conditions ranging from warm/hot - cool/cold. Occasional rain. Noise levels will be moderate to high. Job site will contain light to heavy equipment vehicles, small to large equipment, materials, communication equipment and tools. People standing, walking, sitting, signaling and talking. Bells, whistles and alarms. Some travel to and work at other sites required.

THE TOTAL REWARDS

Onward Energy total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First,

and offers associates a comprehensive total rewards package which includes market competitive compensation, health, life insurance, and retirement savings benefits.

If you require an accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a disability to Recruiting@onwardenergy.com.

EEO STATEMENT:

Onward Energy is an Affirmative Action Employer, Females/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.