Plant Manager

The Halifax County Biomass (HCB) Project is a woody biomass-fueled electric generation facility located in South Boston, Virginia, encompassing a 104‑acre site. The plant, with a nameplate capacity of 49.9 MW, began commercial operation in late 2013. It utilizes sustainably sourced wood materials to generate renewable electricity, supporting both regional power needs and local forest-based economies. Opportunity Summary The Plant Manager provides leadership and direction for all operations at the Halifax County Biomass (HCB) Project, a 49.9 MW woody biomass-fueled facility, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance across fuel handling, combustion, maintenance, safety, environmental compliance, and administrative programs. The role oversees staffing, training, and personnel development while maintaining employee qualifications, engagement, and providing hands-on operational support as needed. Serving as the primary interface with the Owner, regulatory agencies, fuel suppliers, and the South Boston, Virginia community, the Plant Manager ensures compliance while supporting financial performance and promoting the facility's role as a sustainable energy provider supporting regional power needs and local forest-based economies. Your scope of responsibility as Plant Manager includes the following primary functions: Provide overall site leadership and governance by establishing clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and ensuring policies and procedures align with operational objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry standards applicable to a 49.9 MW biomass facility. Champion a proactive safety culture by promoting safe work practices, reinforcing safety expectations, and ensuring personnel remain vigilant in protecting themselves, coworkers, contractors, and the public, with emphasis on fire prevention, combustible dust hazards, and safe handling of woody biomass fuels. Ensure compliance with environmental permits, regulatory requirements, and landowner agreements, including air quality standards, emissions monitoring, ash disposal, and preparation and timely submission of required compliance reports. Direct and integrate core plant programs—including biomass fuel procurement and handling, operations, maintenance, safety, environmental QA/QC, training, and administrative functions—to support safe, efficient, and reliable generation. Administer the Management of Change (MOC) program to ensure all modifications to equipment, fuel systems, combustion processes, and procedures are properly reviewed, approved, documented, and communicated prior to implementation. Develop workforce staffing strategies and qualification frameworks, ensuring employees maintain required certifications, training, and competencies to support all operational phases. Strengthen organizational capability by identifying skill gaps, providing coaching and career development guidance, and supporting initiatives that enhance employee engagement, morale, and retention. Oversee performance and reliability of biomass boilers, fuel handling systems, and emissions control equipment, supporting O&M personnel, troubleshooting issues, and coordinating technical resources as needed. Plan and execute scheduled and forced outages, including major maintenance on boilers, fuel handling, and environmental systems, optimizing schedules, resources, and scope to improve reliability and control costs. Serve as the primary liaison to regulatory agencies, woody biomass fuel suppliers, and local community stakeholders, fostering positive relationships and promoting the facility's role as a responsible and engaged renewable energy provider. Administer commercial and contractual obligations, including O&M agreements, fuel supply contracts, power purchase agreements, renewable programs, interconnection requirements, and vendor agreements. Manage plant financial performance and procurement by developing budgets, monitoring expenditures, forecasting costs, applying cost controls, and overseeing vendor performance with focus on fuel quality and availability. Carry out and complete additional special projects and tasks as needed. 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. All NAES managers and supervisors have a direct and important role in ensuring that all work is performed in a healthy and safe manner. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each Supervisor's performance. Working Relationships The Plant Manager reports to the Operations Director and supervises the managers, technicians, and Plant Administrator. The Plant Manager is the single point of contact between NAES and the Owner on all matters pertaining to the operation, maintenance, and commercial management of the plant. Physical Requirements and Working Conditions Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds. Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions. Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility. 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 Plant Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours. 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. Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings. Compensation This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $142,600 to $199,500 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus. Professional Expertise & Qualifications We are seeking an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, paired with a strong history of career growth and a track record of excellence in achieving results. A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education. Extensive leadership experience in power generation, preferably within biomass, waste-to-energy, or thermal facilities, with prior Plant Manager or senior leadership experience strongly preferred. Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams, including operations, maintenance, technical, and hourly personnel in an industrial or power plant environment. Strong knowledge of plant operations, including fuel handling systems, combustion processes, and maintenance practices, with the ability to support troubleshooting and optimize performance. Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership, with experience implementing programs that address industrial hazards such as fire risk, combustible materials, and confined space operations. Experience ensuring environmental compliance, including air permits, emissions monitoring, reporting requirements, and regulatory inspections within a power or industrial setting. Solid understanding of power plant business operations, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control to support efficient and financially sound plant performance. Experience administering contracts and managing vendor relationships, including service agreements, fuel supply logistics, and contractor performance. Proven ability to lead change initiatives, improve operational performance, and enhance workforce engagement, reliability, and overall plant efficiency. Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to effectively engage employees, regulatory agencies, suppliers, and community representatives. 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.