Control Room Operator (CRO)

Power Industry Support, LLC is actively recruiting a Control Room Operator for the Buena Vista Biomass Power Plant located in Ione, CA. The facility is an 18 MW CFB Biomass fueled power plant.

We are looking for an experienced I&C Tech with a solid background in power generation with strong operations and organization skills. LOTO, Safe work permitting & confined space coordination a must. Solid fuel (Coal, Biomass, WTE) experience is a plus.

Salary Range: $42 – $48 an hour + Benefits

The hiring company does not provide sponsorship at this time.

Position Summary:

In a biomass facility, the Control Operator (CO) is a critical role, responsible for the continuous, safe, and efficient production of renewable energy. While the CO focuses on technical monitoring and direct system adjustments, he is also the senior operator on shift and is responsible for the safe, environmentally sound operation of all plant operations. The CO is the technical “pilot” of the facility, managing the plant’s Distributed Control System (DCS) or SCADA to maintain balance between fuel input and energy output.

Key Responsibilities:

● System Monitoring: Continuously observes HMI (Human Machine Interface) screens to track boiler temperature, pressure, flow rates, and fuel feed systems (chips, pellets, or waste).
● Process Adjustment: Remotely operates valves, pumps, and turbines to maintain optimal combustion and steam cycles.
● Water Chemistry: Analyzes boiler, cooling, and wastewater samples, adjusting chemical dosing as needed to prevent equipment corrosion.
● Alarm Response: Responds immediately to system upsets or alarms by following emergency shutdown or corrective procedures.
● Compliance: Monitors and records Continuous Emissions Monitoring System (CEMS) data to ensure the plant meets environmental regulations. Notify management of plant equipment failures affecting generation and make initial notifications to regulatory agencies when required.
● Responsibility: Review the Night Orders and review with your team during your shift tailgate and ensure completion of all assigned tasks promulgated.
The Control Operator also acts as the primary supervisor on duty, coordinating all personnel and safety protocols for a 12-hour rotating shift.

● Safety Leadership: Directs critical safety procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry permits, safe work permits and hot work authorizations.
● Team Supervision: Manages Plant Operators (PO) and Yard Operators (YO), ensuring proper coverage and resolving any personnel conflicts during the shift.
● Outage Management: Assists in the planning and execution of both scheduled and forced maintenance outages.
● Reporting: Maintains a detailed account of the shift activities in the plant operating logbook. Analyzes operational data to ensure the plant is operating at its top performance. Report and make proper notifications of all plant equipment failures in both the electronic logbook (E-LOG) and the Continuous Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
● Contractor Oversight: Supervises external contractors on-site during their shift to ensure they adhere to plant safety and operational standards.

Key Qualifications:

● Education: High school diploma/GED is standard; technical certifications in power plant operations are highly preferred.
● Experience: For CO roles, 6–8 years of experience in power generation (steam turbines/boilers) is often required for senior positions.
● Physical Demands: Must be able to work 12-hour rotating shifts (days/nights), climb ladders, and work in extreme temperatures (above 100°F or below 32°F).
● Technical Skills: Proficiency in PLC-based control systems (e.g., Allen Bradley, Siemens T3000) and understanding of P&IDs (Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams).

Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents. Benefits include Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, PTO, Sick Time, Bereavement and 401K.