Management
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Also called: Fuel Manager, Maintenance Manager, Maintenance Superintendent, Maintenance Supervisor
US median pay
$126,060
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+2.6%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
17,000
252,100 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Management of Personnel Resources3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.8/5
- Time Management3.6/5
- Operations Monitoring3.4/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.2/5
- Instructing3.2/5
Knowledge
- Mechanical4.3/5
- Engineering and Technology4.1/5
- Production and Processing4.1/5
- Administration and Management4.0/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.9/5
- Public Safety and Security3.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree, plus 5 years or more of related work experience.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree61%
- Associate's degree17%
- Post-secondary certificate13%
Who this job suits
Mostly Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.