Careers at Consumers Energy

Fuel Supply Operator - NorthStar Clean Energy (GRAYLING, MI, US)

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 Fuel Supply Operator is responsible for equipment operation and record keeping duties on a variety of moderately complex systems such as: wood fuel handling, ash handling, and heavy equipment within established procedures. Also responsible for various housekeeping and maintenance tasks.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Operate fuel and/or ash handling equipment which may include wheel loaders, track driven dozers and various machinery in a safe and efficient manner
Log significant activities and events and maintain accurate operational logs on mobile equipment
Perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on mobile/fuel train equipment routinely and thoroughly. Clean mobile, fuel yard and heavy equipment, as required
Maintain a safe work environment through job planning and identification and correction of hazards
Inspect fuel deliveries for compliance as outlined in the wood waste procurement and monitoring plan
Assist with plant operation and maintenance, as required; including forced and planned outages. Perform inspection and maintenance activities on all equipment in accordance with established schedules, or as needed
Maintain a clean and safe work area; regularly clean, sweep, and pick up conveyor spillage; unplugs choke points / obstructions from fuel train components; report or resolve any unsafe conditions immediately
Receive, unload, mix, stage, and stack/store fuel in a manner consistent with established fuel handling procedures. Reclaim fuel as necessary to support overall plant operation
Perform inspection and maintenance activities on all equipment in accordance with established schedules, or as needed
Perform scale house functions, including obtaining and labeling fuel samples, as required
Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Be able to use standard computer software programs such as spreadsheets, word processors, databases and other common programs
Have a thorough knowledge of Large Mobile Heavy Equipment (e.g., CAT D8 Dozers, CAT 938 loaders) operation and established procedures
Previous experience operating and/or maintaining heavy equipment, including a bulldozer (e.g., construction, farming equipment)
Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers and take direction from others
Thorough knowledge of all fuel and ash handling systems and understanding of heavy equipment, plant procedures and measurement standards
Ethics and standards of conduct
Capable of performing a number of routine duties involving various procedures which require minor decisions
Ability to work overtime, any shift schedule, including weekends and holidays.

Position Requirements:

Associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in operating and/or maintaining heavy equipment (e.g., construction, farming equipment, bulldozer)
- [OR] High School Diploma with a minimum of four (4) years of relevant experience
Previous experience in an industrial atmosphere or equivalent is a plus
Valid driver's license required

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.

Location:

The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is not offered for this position.

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.

Prin EPC Project Mgr (Gas Major Projects) (JACKSON, MI, US)

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7. 

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to the Parnall Office located in Jackson, MI  The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Principal EPC Project Manager oversees highly complex Renewables, Electric Distribution, Generation and/or Gas projects to ensure they are completed on time and within budget. The incumbent is responsible for leading and managing large project teams of employees and contractors in the successful planning, design, bid and build of the projects through commercial operations. Responsibilities include overseeing all project contracts, engineering, construction, quality control, safety and communication to ensure project objectives are met. The Principal EPC Project Manager will also lead management of the customer relationship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Coaches, mentors, motivates and provides technical and project expertise and guidance to cross functional project team members and influences them to take action on assigned work
Prepare monthly, annual and overall project forecasts for large Board of Director projects/programs and provide on-going cost reconciliation for project expenditures. Accountable to ensure projects are completed within monthly, annual and multi-year budgets.
Identify and recommend new cross-functional processes, techniques and standards that drive performance and continuous improvement as well as problem solving on existing projects for process improvements.
Manage large project teams and contractors to ensure appropriate resource management and proper completion of the planning, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning for utility projects. Ensure all team members and contractors are executing to technical specifications and requirements including all permitting, regulatory, engineering and environmental standards and procedures.
Develop and manage overall project KPIs and execution metrics for the project. Conduct data analytics and trend analysis and deploy problem solving methodologies to maintain performance and process adherence. Developed appropriate visual management and operating reviews.
Responsible for the planning, governance and execution of the Project from inception to closeout on large, complex Engineering & Construction projects using project management methodologies and procedures to achieve the desired scope, cost, schedule, quality, safety and performance objectives of the project.
Identifies and manages project schedules and dependencies and critical path using scheduling tools and methodologies such as predeceasing activities, resource loaded schedules and float. Ensure timely updates to activities and proper level of detail to track progress and communicate to the project team and appropriate stakeholders.
Prepare, lead, and manage all communication for project updates, overviews and issue resolution to key stakeholders including project teams, executive leadership, regulatory agencies, commercial and strategic customers and local community leaders. Responsibilities include agreement negotiations, preparing and presenting project progress reports and detailed issue resolution material.
Establish and manage complex project procurement strategies and contracts including contractor and customer negotiations and contract execution management to maximize operational and financial performance and mitigate financial risk.
Management and demonstration of strong technical acumen of engineering, construction management and quality oversight methodologies for complex designs and solutions. Lead problem solving and issue resolution for technical, construction or other quality issues. Establish and manage project risk mitigation strategies and methodologies to optimize project constraints and minimize risks impacting project execution.
Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Project Management proficiency: Experienced in the Project Management Institute PM knowledge areas of: Project Integration Management, Project Scope Management, Project Schedule Management, Project Cost Management, Project Quality Management, etc
Knowledge in engineering, construction management or technical acumen and knowledge of practical application of engineering science and technology. Very knowledgeable in construction methods and materials.
Experienced in leading a diverse, cross functional project team, providing guidance, mentorship and clear vision for project success. Knowledge of resource allocation methods, productivity improvement methods, and effective coordination of people.
Skilled in the development of comprehensive project plans, schedules and budgets and overseeing their execution.
Ability to connect and appropriately communicate, negotiate and influence key stakeholders including executive level management, strategic and commercial customers, regulatory and government agencies and all project team members
Expert in the use of the following project management tools: matrix diagram, control charts and Gantt charts. Expert in the use and development of visual management tools, understanding of the lean principles and practices.
Expert in critical thinking and decision-making skills as well as strategic thinking, trade-offs analysis, data analysis and analytics knowledge and utility business acumen.
Expert in risk mitigation techniques, problem solving methodologies and tools, countermeasure development and detail action plan execution.
Expert in development of quality plans, tools use and methodologies to ensure appropriate quality standard adherence for engineering, materials and construction execution.
Expert in contract methodologies and terms and conditions. Proficient in contract negotiations and administration. Ability to employ conflict resolution techniques.

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Applied Engineering or Relevant Field with 7 years of applied engineering or equivalent working experience. Significant project management experience working in accordance with EPM Project Lifecycle Processes (PLP) framework to improve predictability and effectively manage project risk
[OR] Associate's Degree in Applied Engineering or Relevant Field with 9 years of applied engineering or equivalent working experience. Significant project management experience working in accordance with EPM Project Lifecycle Processes (PLP) framework to improve predictability and effectively manage project risk
[OR] High School Diploma with 11 years of applied engineering or equivalent working experience. Significant project management experience working in accordance with EPM Project Lifecycle Processes (PLP) framework to improve predictability and effectively manage project risk

Certifications

Required Certifications/Licensures:(Project Management Professional (PMP))

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers 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 CMS 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 in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, 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, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.