Operations 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 Operations Manager leads operations at the Halifax County Biomass (HCB) Project, a 49.9 MW woody biomass-fueled electric generation facility in South Boston, Virginia. This role ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of plant systems while maintaining compliance with safety and environmental standards. The Operations Manager oversees budgets, staffing, and scheduling while driving continuous improvement through performance analysis. The position plays a key role in sustaining operational excellence, reliability, renewable generation, and environmental stewardship.

Your scope of responsibility as Operations Manager includes the following primary functions:

• Direct the Operations Team to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient biomass plant operations aligned with safety, environmental, and performance goals.
• Develop and manage the operations budget, aligning expenditures with production, reliability, and cost-control objectives.
• Oversee operator scheduling to ensure proper staffing for continuous, compliant facility operation, including on-call support for reliability and emergencies.
• Coordinate and monitor wood fuel handling—deliveries, storage, quality testing, and inventory—to maintain consistent combustion efficiency and emissions compliance.
• Optimize plant performance by analyzing operational data, combustion trends, and equipment reliability to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance Manager to assess equipment condition, prioritize work, and provide technical support to sustain readiness.
• Maintain accurate logs, records, and controlled documents—including manuals, procedures, reports, and compliance records—to ensure traceability, regulatory compliance, and support for audits and inspections.
• Lead training, skill development, and safety initiatives to strengthen team performance, sustain a safety-focused culture, and ensure readiness for operational, fire, or environmental incidents.
• Oversee the water chemistry program, including sampling, testing, chemical inventory, and lab maintenance to support reliable steam generation.
• Coordinate environmental compliance activities, ensuring adherence to permits, air quality standards, and corporate policies.
• Interface with grid operations or utility dispatch to ensure compliance with generation schedules and power delivery requirements.
• Manage contractor relationships and work scopes to ensure projects meet safety, efficiency, and performance expectations.
• Support asset management and reliability planning through long-term equipment improvement and replacement strategies.
• Prepare accurate operational and compliance reports for plant ownership, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Represent the facility in community or sustainability initiatives that support transparency and engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations, regulatory compliance, and overall facility performance.

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 Operations Manager reports to the Plant Manager and supervises subordinate operations personnel. The Operations Manager cooperates with the Maintenance Manager, Compliance Coordinator, Plant Engineer, and Plant Administrator as needed in the daily operation 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 Operations 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 $128,500 to $179,900 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 discipline is preferred, providing a solid foundation in biomass power generation and plant operations. Equivalent industry or military experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience supervising or managing operations personnel in an industrial or power generation environment is required, with the ability to lead teams in a safe, reliable, and performance-focused culture.
• Strong understanding of biomass plant operations, including boiler systems, steam generation, turbine-generator operations, fuel handling, water chemistry, and emissions control equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate operational and equipment performance data to improve plant efficiency, reliability, and overall generation output.
• Knowledge of environmental permitting and regulatory compliance requirements related to biomass generation, including air emissions, water systems, ash handling, and chemical management.
• Effective leadership, communication, and team-building skills, with the ability to collaborate across operations, maintenance, environmental, and management functions.
• Experience coordinating contractors, outages, and vendor-supported work activities while maintaining compliance with plant safety and operational standards.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a continuous process environment, respond effectively to changing operating conditions, and make sound operational decisions under pressure.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with CMMS platforms, plant control systems, and operational reporting tools preferred.
• 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.