A power plant manager supervises the entire operation of an electricity-generating facility using his or her decision-making and leadership skills. The manager is in charge of the production and management teams, as well as ensuring that all safety and environmental procedures are followed by employees. It is the manager’s responsibility to ensure that reliable electrical service is provided using the most efficient methods possible.
The main task of a power plant manager is to manage people, despite the fact that his or her responsibilities are varied. The inventory control department, quality control personnel, and production departments are all directed and overseen by the manager. It is his or her responsibility to coordinate the work of each department in order to keep the plant running smoothly. To carry out these responsibilities, the plant manager must have excellent people skills.
He or she is usually in charge of coordinating the tasks of hundreds of employees and deciding how to assign employees based on their abilities. An effective plant manager inspires employees to work together as a team and adhere to industry regulations. The manager may be responsible for hiring and firing lower-level managers, as well as overseeing employee certification and training.
If the power plant must be shut down in an emergency, this job may require quick thinking. Typically, power plants supply electricity to entire cities or counties, affecting tens of thousands of homes and businesses. In a crisis, the power plant manager should be able to act quickly so that power can be restored quickly. He or she usually keeps an eye on electrical levels on a daily basis to ensure that there isn’t too much or too little power delivered to power grids.
Some power plant managers are also in charge of making and sticking to a business plan. This could include creating a budget to keep costs under control while the plant is running. He or she may also be assigned the task of writing annual reports to demonstrate adherence to environmental and maintenance standards. Some plant managers are subjected to annual testing and certification procedures, as well as periodic performance reviews.
To work as a power plant manager, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree, usually in electrical engineering. Some plant managers start as technicians and work their way up to managing a department before being promoted to plant manager. The manager must be physically fit and capable of walking for the majority of the day, as well as climbing onto equipment if necessary.