U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration https://www.onetonline.org 15m 3,856 #insights
The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
Sample of reported job titles:
Fuel Manager, Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Superintendent, Maintenance Supervisor, Operations and Maintenance Manager (O&M Manager), Operations Manager, Operations Superintendent, Operations Supervisor, Plant Manager, Utilities Superintendent
Tasks
Manage safety programs at power generation facilities.
Review biomass operations performance specifications to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
Review logs, datasheets, or reports to ensure adequate production levels and safe production environments or to identify abnormalities with power production equipment or processes.
Supervise operations or maintenance employees in the production of power from biomass, such as wood, coal, paper sludge, or other waste or refuse.
Supervise biomass plant or substation operations, maintenance, repair, or testing activities.
Conduct field inspections of biomass plants, stations, or substations to ensure normal and safe operating conditions.
Plan and schedule plant activities, such as wood, waste, or refuse fuel deliveries, ash removal, and regular maintenance.
Prepare and manage biomass plant budgets.
Evaluate power production or demand trends to identify opportunities for improved operations.
Inspect biomass gasification processes, equipment, and facilities for ways to maximize capacity and minimize operating costs.
Prepare reports on biomass plant operations, status, maintenance, and other information.
Manage parts and supply inventories for biomass plants.
Monitor and operate communications systems, such as mobile radios.
Shut down and restart biomass power plants or equipment in emergency situations or for equipment maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
Compile and record operational data on forms or in log books.
Monitor the operating status of biomass plants by observing control system parameters, distributed control systems, switchboard gauges, dials, or other indicators.
Adjust equipment controls to generate specified amounts of electrical power.
Test, maintain, or repair electrical power distribution machinery or equipment, using hand tools, power tools, and testing devices.
Operate controls to start, stop, or regulate biomass-fueled generators, generator units, boilers, engines, or auxiliary systems.
Technology Skills
Hot Technologies are requirements frequently included in employer job postings.
Work Activities
Working with Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Detailed Work Activities
Enforce rules or regulations.
Monitor environment to ensure safety.
Evaluate green operations or programs for compliance with standards or regulations.
Monitor green energy equipment, systems, or facilities.
Review documents or materials for compliance with policies or regulations.
Operate green energy production equipment.
Direct maintenance and repair activities in green energy production facilities.
Direct green energy production operations.
Supervise workers performing environmentally sustainable activities.
Compile operational data.
Maintain operational records.
Inspect operations of green energy facilities.
Schedule activities or facility use.
Schedule product or material transportation.
Prepare operational budgets for green energy or other green operations.
Maintain green energy production plant equipment.
Perform manual service or maintenance tasks.
Test green technologies or processes.
Analyze market research data.
Evaluate energy production data.
Communicate green energy production information.
Manage inventories of products or organizational resources.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Operate communications equipment or systems.
Work Context
Responsible for Others’ Health and Safety — 94% responded “Very high responsibility.”
Electronic Mail — 92% responded “Every day.”
Duration of Typical Work Week — 92% responded “More than 40 hours.”
Face-to-Face Discussions — 93% responded “Every day.”
Telephone — 83% responded “Every day.”
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 94% responded “Every day.”
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled — 91% responded “Every day.”
Responsibility for Outcomes and Results — 84% responded “Very high responsibility.”
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 90% responded “Every day.”
Work With Work Group or Team
Freedom to Make Decisions — 68% responded “A lot of freedom.”
Contact With Others — 57% responded “Contact with others most of the time.”
Structured versus Unstructured Work — 55% responded “A lot of freedom.”
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — 15% responded “Moderate results.”
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 47% responded “Extremely important.”
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable — 72% responded “Every day.”
Frequency of Decision Making — 60% responded “Every day.”
Coordinate or Lead Others — 29% responded “Important.”
Time Pressure — 65% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Exposed to Contaminants — 48% responded “Every day.”
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 41% responded “Extremely important.”
Letters and Memos — 35% responded “Every day.”
Exposed to High Places — 39% responded “Every day.”
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment — 23% responded “Not important at all.”
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures — 52% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — 40% responded “Every day.”
Deal With External Customers — 44% responded “Very important.”
Physical Proximity — 43% responded “Slightly close (e.g., shared office).”
Consequence of Error — 40% responded “Extremely serious.”
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment — 20% responded “Every day.”
Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting — 42% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions — 33% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
Public Speaking — 23% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
Job Zone
- Title
- Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor’s degree, but some do not.
- Related Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Job Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
- Job Zone Examples
- Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, chemists, art directors, and cost estimators.
- SVP Range
- 2-4 years of preparation (7.0 to < 8.0)
Training & Credentials
- State training
- Local training
- Certifications
- Apprenticeships
- Have a career path or location in mind? Visit Apprenticeship.gov
to find apprenticeship opportunities near you.
Skills
Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Management of Personnel Resources — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
Time Management — Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Operations Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.
Social Perceptiveness — Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Management of Financial Resources — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.
Management of Material Resources — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.
Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Systems Analysis — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Learning Strategies — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.
Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Persuasion — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
Troubleshooting — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Knowledge
Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Personnel and Human Resources — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Administrative — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Chemistry — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Economics and Accounting — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- responded:
Bachelor’s degree required - responded:
Associate’s degree required - responded:
Post-secondary certificate required
Abilities
Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.
Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
Speed of Closure — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
Interests
Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Conventional — Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Work Values
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Work Styles
Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.
Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Independence — Job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Wages & Employment Trends
Median wage data for Industrial Production Managers.
Employment data for Industrial Production Managers.
Industry data for Industrial Production Managers.
- Median wages (2020)
- $52.30 hourly, $108,790 annual
- State wages
- Local wages
- Employment (2020)
- 189,300 employees
- Projected growth (2020-2030)
Average (5% to 10%)- Projected job openings (2020-2030)
- 13,900
- State trends
- Top industries (2020)
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2020 wage data
and 2020-2030 employment projections.
“Projected growth” represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2020-2030). “Projected job openings” represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Job Openings on the Web
- State job openings
- Local job openings
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer:
Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries.
Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
Actively assisted with the O*NET data collection, helping to identify occupational experts who can be surveyed about their work in the occupation.
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