NorthStar Clean Energy owns and operates independent power generating plants, natural gas assets and an energy marketing group for the non-utility segment. We are proud of our strong history of reliably serving our utility, municipal, commercial and industrial customers. To learn more about NorthStar Clean Energy, please visit NorthStar Clean Energy

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

Location:

This position reports to the Operations Supervisor at Grayling Generating Station in Grayling, Michigan.

This is a non-union position with NorthStar Clean Energy, the unregulated side of CMS Energy, and is not a position of employment with Consumers Energy.

We are looking for: Fuel Supply Operator

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.

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.

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

We encourage you to apply if you have: an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered and reviewed

High School Diploma OR GED is required
2+ years operating and/or maintaining heavy equipment (e.g., construction, farming equipment, bulldozer)

A thorough knowledge of Large Mobile Heavy Equipment (e.g., CAT D8 Dozers, CAT 938 loaders) operation and established procedures
Work a rotating 12 hour shift on a 28 day cycle
Ability to work overtime, any shift schedule, including weekends and holidays
Be fitted for and wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including respirators
Basic Computer Skills

The following skills may set you apart from others:

Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers and take direction from others
Capable of performing several routine duties involving various procedures which require minor decisions
Previous experience at a Power Generation Biomass facility
Associates Degree

In this role, you will:

Operate fuel and/or ash handling equipment which may include wheel loaders, track driven dozers and various machinery in a safe and efficient manner
Logs significant activities and events and maintains 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
Must complete Position Qualification Requirements (PQR) as assigned
Perform scale house functions, including obtaining and labeling fuel samples, as required

Hours and Travel

Ability to work overtime, as well as any shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays
Ability to work prolonged, irregular working hours

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions

Occasionally (O) Frequently (F) Constantly (C)

0-33% AWD 33-66% AWD 67% - 100% AWD
(AWD = Average Workday)

Using the above chart, identify with each activity below, the frequency that the activity takes place in an average workday.

Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. (O)
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at waist. Requires full use of lower extremities and back muscles. (O)
Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on one knee or both knees. (O)
Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine. (O)
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction. (O)
Sitting: Sitting upright in the work area to perform duties. (F)
Crawling: Positioning the body so that weight is evenly distributed on both hands and knees on a flat surface. (O)
Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time. (O)
Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances. (F)
Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward. (O)
Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects to thrust forward, downward or outward. (O)
Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position- to-position. Requires substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles. (O)
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling. (O)
Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm. (O)
Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. (F)
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds with no less than a 40 dB loss at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts. (F)
Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 5 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Medium Work - Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Heavy Work - Exerting up to 70 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Visual Acuity Requirements including Color, Depth Perception, & Field of Vision.
Machine Operator (including inspection) - This is a minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection), using measurement devices, assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

CONDITIONS THE WORKER WILL BE SUBJECT TO IN THIS POSITION

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee is required to wear personal protective equipment (including a Respirator)
Medium Work: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must frequently exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects
Specific vision abilities required by this job include, close vision, color vision, depth perception, field of vision and the ability to adjust focus
Machine Operator (including inspection) - This is a minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection), using measurement devices, assembly, or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

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's Advisory Panel (WAP), Women's Engineering Network (WEN), 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.