Occupation · SOC 11-3051.04
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.
Median wage
$121,440
$74,900–$197,310
Projected growth
+1.9%
Slower than average
Annual openings
460
per year
Employed (US)
234,380
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,214 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionMonitoringActive ListeningManagement of Personnel ResourcesJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingTime ManagementOperations MonitoringSocial PerceptivenessInstructingWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesActive LearningTroubleshootingPersuasionOperation and ControlMathematicsLearning StrategiesNegotiationService OrientationScienceEquipment MaintenanceRepairingOperations AnalysisEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
MechanicalEngineering and TechnologyProduction and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementPersonnel and Human ResourcesPublic Safety and SecurityAdministrativeEducation and TrainingMathematicsComputers and ElectronicsChemistryEnglish LanguageDesignPhysicsEconomics and AccountingBuilding and ConstructionCustomer and Personal ServicePsychologyTransportationLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaTelecommunicationsTherapy and CounselingPhilosophy and TheologySociology and AnthropologyBiologyMedicine and DentistryGeographySales and MarketingHistory and ArcheologyForeign LanguageFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareComputerized maintenance management system CMMSDistributed control system DCSEmployee scheduling softwareInventory control softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word
Representative tasks
Working with ComputersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesProcessing InformationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsCoaching and Developing OthersGetting InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsDeveloping and Building TeamsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsAnalyzing Data or InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDocumenting/Recording InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleControlling Machines and ProcessesInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsPerforming Administrative ActivitiesInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming General Physical Activities
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Safety program protocols — follow and document under direct supervision at a biomass power generation facility.Regulatory compliance requirements — review and compare against biomass operations performance specifications with guidance from senior staff.Plant logs, datasheets, and reports — read and flag anomalies in production data under the direction of an experienced plant manager.Operations and maintenance personnel — assist in coordinating daily tasks under structured supervision on the plant floor.Field inspections — participate in walkthroughs of biomass plants and substations to observe normal and safe operating conditions.Fuel delivery schedules — support planning activities for wood, waste, or refuse deliveries using calendar and scheduling software.Plant budgets — assist in compiling cost data and expenditure records using spreadsheet software under managerial oversight.Industrial control software — monitor basic equipment status displays and report readings to senior operators in a biomass control room.Incident and maintenance reports — draft written summaries using word processing software following established templates.Equipment abnormalities — recognize and escalate non-routine conditions observed during routine monitoring of power production processes.
developing
Safety programs — implement and maintain at a biomass power generation facility with reduced direct oversight, ensuring staff adherence.Biomass operations performance data — review against regulatory requirements routinely and initiate corrective documentation when gaps are identified.Production logs and datasheets — analyze independently to verify adequate output levels and identify equipment or process irregularities.Operations and maintenance teams — supervise day-to-day activities in biomass power production, providing task direction and performance feedback.Plant and substation maintenance activities — coordinate repair, testing, and operational schedules using facilities management software.Field inspections — conduct routine inspections of biomass plants and substations, documenting findings and recommending corrective actions.Fuel and ash management schedules — plan and adjust delivery and removal logistics using inventory management and scheduling software.Plant budget components — prepare departmental budget drafts and monitor expenditures against approved allocations using spreadsheet software.Cross-functional coordination — align operations, maintenance, and safety teams through regular meetings and written communications using office suite tools.Personnel development — deliver on-the-job instruction to plant operators on equipment monitoring procedures and safety protocols.
proficient
Facility-wide safety programs — design, implement, and audit comprehensively across all operational units of a biomass power plant to sustain regulatory compliance.Regulatory compliance reviews — independently evaluate biomass operations performance specifications against evolving environmental and safety standards, resolving non-conformances.Production monitoring systems — analyze logs, reports, and industrial control software outputs autonomously to diagnose complex equipment or process abnormalities.Operations and maintenance workforce — supervise, evaluate, and develop staff across all shifts engaged in biomass power production from wood, coal, paper sludge, or refuse.Plant and substation operations — oversee all maintenance, repair, and testing activities end-to-end, applying systems analysis to optimize reliability and uptime.Field inspection programs — lead comprehensive inspections of biomass plants and substations, integrating findings into corrective action and continuous improvement plans.Integrated plant activity planning — orchestrate fuel deliveries, ash removal, equipment maintenance, and outage scheduling to maximize operational efficiency.Annual plant budgets — prepare, justify, and manage full-cycle budgets, applying financial analysis to balance capital investment with operational cost targets.Complex operational problems — apply structured problem-solving and deductive reasoning to resolve non-routine failures in biomass combustion or power generation processes.CAD and engineering documentation — interpret and apply engineering drawings and technology specifications to support plant modifications and equipment upgrades.
advanced
Organizational safety strategy — set direction for enterprise-wide safety culture across multiple biomass facilities, establishing standards that exceed regulatory requirements.Regulatory and policy leadership — represent the organization with regulatory bodies, shaping compliance frameworks for biomass power operations at an industry level.Performance management systems — establish key performance indicators and data governance protocols for production monitoring across a portfolio of biomass plants.Workforce strategy — lead hiring, succession planning, and talent development programs for operations and maintenance personnel across the biomass generation enterprise.Capital investment planning — direct multi-year budgeting and capital project prioritization for plant upgrades, fuel systems, and substation infrastructure.Operational excellence programs — design and champion continuous improvement initiatives that elevate efficiency, reliability, and environmental performance across all plant systems.Executive stakeholder communication — present complex biomass plant performance, risk, and strategic plans to boards, regulators, and investors using advanced presentation tools.Cross-functional organizational coordination — align engineering, finance, environmental, and operations divisions to execute integrated biomass plant strategy.Industry and technology leadership — evaluate emerging biomass conversion technologies and fuel feedstocks, directing adoption decisions that position the organization competitively.Mentorship and knowledge transfer — develop next-generation plant managers through structured coaching, formal instruction programs, and experiential leadership opportunities.
Also known as
14 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Biomass Plant ManagerBiomass Power Plant ManagerBiomass Power Plant SuperintendentBiomass Production ManagerDemand Generator ManagerFuel ManagerMaintenance ManagerMaintenance SuperintendentMaintenance SupervisorOperations and Maintenance Manager (O&M Manager)Operations SuperintendentOperations SupervisorPlant ManagerUtilities Superintendent