Manager, Plant Maintenance - NorthStar Clean Energy

NorthStar Clean Energy decarbonizes the economy by providing clean energy and carbon management solutions to utility, municipal, commercial, and industrial customers enabling them to meet their sustainability and business goals. Additionally, we own and operate natural gas assets throughout the United States. To learn more about NorthStar Clean Energy, please visit www.northstarcleanenergy.com.

This position is with NorthStar Clean Energy, a CMS Energy company, and is not a position of employment with Consumers Energy. 

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.

We are seeking a highly skilled Maintenance Manager to lead all maintenance activities for our power plant operations. In this role, you will oversee the maintenance and repair of mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation/control systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance. As a key member of the leadership team, you will guide maintenance personnel, support hiring and development, and drive continuous improvement across the plant.

Key Responsibilities:

Maintenance Operations

• Establish and manage preventative maintenance programs and schedules.
• Oversee the repair and upkeep of electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation/control systems.
• Coordinate emergency repairs and ensure timely completion of permanent solutions.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, logs, and work documentation.
• Recommend equipment upgrades and improvements.

Leadership & Team Development

• Train, coach, and evaluate maintenance staff to meet performance standards.
• Oversee maintenance training programs to ensure skill development and compliance.
• Assign responsibilities, schedule personnel, and optimize the use of team capabilities.
• Support hiring decisions and lead team development initiatives.
• Provide leadership and technical support to other departments.

Inventory & Vendor Management

• Receive and evaluate contractor quotes and oversee work performed by external firms.
• Manage the receipt, inspection, and storage of incoming equipment and materials.
• Maintain adequate inventory of parts, tools, and supplies.
• Manage the tool room and related processes.

Budgeting, Compliance & Reporting

• Provide input to the plant operating budget related to maintenance activities.
• Maintain awareness of applicable government regulations and ensure team compliance.
• Develop and track maintenance team performance metrics and reports.
• Prepare required reports and participate in scheduled meetings.

Safety & Work Environment

• Promote a safe work environment through proactive job planning and hazard mitigation.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, environmental, and administrative regulations.
• Participate in training and pursue personal development goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of power plant maintenance and operations.
• Working knowledge of chemistry related to plant operations, environmental programs, and water treatment.
• Ability to interpret mechanical drawings, electrical one-lines, logic diagrams, and technical manuals.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make sound decisions, including in emergencies.
• Excellent communication, organization, and team facilitation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access).
• Ability to manage changing priorities and work extended hours when needed.

Position Requirements: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, or related field required with a minimum of seven (7) years’ of applicable experience
  • [OR] Associate degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or related field with a minimum of nine (9) years' of applicable experience
  • [OR] High School Diploma with a minimum of eleven (11) years of applicable experience
• Minimum 4 years in supervisory or management capacity, or in a role involving oversight and delegation of project tasks.

Working Conditions:

• The working conditions for this position may include, but are not limited to, the following requirements and environmental exposures. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The working conditions for this position may include climbing stairs; frequent walking; and the ability to sit or stand for extended periods. The role may require stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling, as well as lifting, moving, or carrying items up to 35 pounds. Employees must maintain close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, and must remain alert throughout the workday. Effective communication is essential, along with regular use of computers and related technology. The position may involve exposure to atmospheric conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, gases, and other airborne particles. Work environments may include high noise areas, confined spaces, and elevated locations, as well as extreme internal or external temperatures, including prolonged exposure to the sun. The role may also involve exposure to mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, and high/low pressure steam hazards, as well as high electrical voltage. Employees may be required to operate heavy or hazardous equipment and handle potentially hazardous chemicals while following established safety procedures.
  To support a safe and productive workplace, the Company may require a Fitness for Duty (FFD) evaluation to confirm an employee can safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. FFD testing will be used only in circumstances permitted by law and administered in a manner that is job related and consistent with business necessity.

Why should you join our team?

At NorthStar Clean Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program
  

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

We, at NorthStar Clean Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women’s Advisory Panel (WAP), Women’s in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capable, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

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.