About This Career

Controls and monitors biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.

This career is part of the Energy cluster.

A person in this career:

• Operates biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions.
• Performs tests of water chemistry in boilers.
• Operates high-pressure steam boiler or water chiller equipment for electrical cogeneration operations.
• Operates equipment to heat biomass, using knowledge of controls, combustion, and firing mechanisms.
• Operates equipment to start, stop, or regulate biomass-fueled generators, generator units, boilers, engines, or auxiliary systems.
• Inspects biomass power plant or processing equipment, recording or reporting damage and mechanical problems.
• Records or reports operational data, such as readings on meters, instruments, and gauges.
• Operates valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust production of biofuels or biomass-fueled power.
• Calculates, measures, loads, or mixes biomass feedstock for power generation.
• Cleans work areas to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Exposure to pollutants, gases, dust, fumes, odors, poor ventilation, etc.
• Lighting is either extremely bright or inadequate
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
• Exposed to hazardous equipment such as saws, machinery, or vehicular traffic more than once a month
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
• Work at heights above 8 feet more than once a month on structures such as ladders, poles, scaffolding, and catwalks

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Picking out a particular sound in the presence of other sounds
• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Detecting sounds and hearing the differences between sounds of different pitch and loudness
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others

Work Hours and Travel

• Regular working hours and limited travel