Fuel Supply Operator - NorthStar Clean Energy

NorthStar Clean Energy decarbonizes the economy by providing clean energy and carbon management solutions to utility, municipal, commercial, and industrial customers enabling them to meet their sustainability and business goals. Additionally, we own and operate natural gas assets throughout the United States. To learn more about NorthStar Clean Energy, please visit .

This position is with NorthStar Clean Energy, a CMS Energy company, and is not a position of employment with Consumers Energy.

The Grayling Generating Station plant is a 38 MW biomass-fueled renewable energy power plant that produces electricity. The fuel consists primarily of bark and sawdust from local lumber mills and the non-marketable biomass from lumbering operations.  The power produced supports the health of the forests, mitigates greenhouse gases (is “carbon neutral”), conserves landfill space and supports the electric grid in northern Michigan.  The electric output is sold pursuant to a long-term power purchase agreement with Consumers Energy Company. This facility can produce enough electricity to power approximately 38,000 homes. Commercial operation began in 1992. 

The Fuel Supply Operator is responsible for equipment operation and record keeping duties on a variety of moderately complex systems such as: wood fuel handling, ash handling, and heavy equipment within established procedures. Also responsible for various housekeeping and maintenance tasks.


Duties & Responsibilities:

• Operate fuel and/or ash handling equipment which may include wheel loaders, track driven dozers and various machinery in a safe and efficient manner
• Log significant activities and events and maintain accurate operational logs on mobile equipment
• Perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on mobile/fuel train equipment routinely and thoroughly. Clean mobile, fuel yard and heavy equipment, as required
• Maintain a safe work environment through job planning and identification and correction of hazards
• Inspect fuel deliveries for compliance as outlined in the wood waste procurement and monitoring plan
• Assist with plant operation and maintenance, as required; including forced and planned outages. Perform inspection and maintenance activities on all equipment in accordance with established schedules, or as needed
• Maintain a clean and safe work area; regularly clean, sweep, and pick up conveyor spillage; unplugs choke points / obstructions from fuel train components; report or resolve any unsafe conditions immediately
• Receive, unload, mix, stage, and stack/store fuel in a manner consistent with established fuel handling procedures. Reclaim fuel as necessary to support overall plant operation
• Other non-essential duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Be able to use standard computer software programs such as spreadsheets, word processors, databases and other common programs
• Have a thorough knowledge of Large Mobile Heavy Equipment (e.g., CAT D8 Dozers, CAT 938 loaders) operation and established procedures
• Previous experience operating and/or maintaining heavy equipment, including a bulldozer (e.g., construction, farming equipment)
• Ability to effectively communicate with co-workers and take direction from others
• Thorough knowledge of all fuel and ash handling systems and understanding of heavy equipment, plant procedures and measurement standards
• Ethics and standards of conduct

Position Requirements:

• Associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in operating and/or maintaining heavy equipment (e.g., construction, farming equipment, bulldozer)
  • [OR] High School Diploma or GED with a minimum of four (4) years of applicable experience 

Working Conditions:

• Indoor and outdoor work including in hazardous power plant environments including steam, hot water and computer work
• Field and Plant Operations

Why should you join our team?

At NorthStar Clean Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation packages
• Medical, Dental and Vision
• 401k with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 13 paid Holidays
• Paid time off
• Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at NorthStar Clean Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women’s Advisory Panel (WAP), Women’s in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capable, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.