Operations & Maintenance Technician II

Company Description:

Anaergia (TSX: ANRG) is a global leader in offering sustainable solutions for the production of clean energy and the conversion of waste streams to resources. Through a proven portfolio of proprietary technological solutions, Anaergia maximizes the generation of renewable energy, diversion of waste from landfill and reduction of greenhouse gases for customers across the municipal, industrial, commercial and agricultural sectors.

Headquartered in Burlington, ON, and through its multiple subsidiaries across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, Anaergia is trusted at more than 1,600 installations globally.

Job Overview

The Operations & Maintenance Technician II (OMT II) is an experienced site operator and maintenance technician responsible for supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the San Bernadino Bioenergy Facility's anaerobically digestible material (ADM) receiving area and renewable natural gas (RNG) systems. In addition to independently performing core operations and maintenance responsibilities, the OMT II is expected to demonstrate strong process knowledge, advanced troubleshooting capability, and a high level of ownership for overall facility condition and performance. This role monitors and adjusts plant operations, performs preventive and corrective maintenance, interprets process data and technical drawings, supports vendor and contractor activities, and helps reinforce safety, housekeeping, and operational standards across the site. The OMT II partners closely with plant management and is expected to demonstrate the judgment, accountability, initiative, and leadership behaviors associated with progression toward future plant leadership responsibilities.

Facility Description: Anaergia is managing the operations and maintenance for the Sterling Natural Resource Recovery Center (SNRC) anaerobically digestible material (ADM) receiving area.  The SNRC ADM receiving area receives high-strength organic waste in 5,000-gallon tankers and is offloaded to buffer tanks using an onsite pumping system.  The waste at the receiving area is co-digested with the municipal sludge, producing biogas.  The Biogas is treated and upgraded to renewable natural gas (RNG) and injected into the utility pipeline.  The biogas treatment and upgrading facility is owned and operated by Anaergia, and the facility is located on the SNRC property.  

Key Responsibilities

• Safely receive and unload liquid organic feedstocks from tanker trucks in accordance with facility operating procedures and feedstock acceptance criteria, independently addressing routine receiving issues and escalating abnormal conditions as appropriate.
• Verify manifests and delivery documentation, inspect incoming loads for contamination or unacceptable materials, collect representative samples for laboratory analysis as required, and ensure receiving activities are accurately and completely documented.
• Coordinate offloading activities with haulers and facility personnel to support safe and efficient material transfer, proactively addressing scheduling, unloading, or operational issues that may affect facility performance.
• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and routine field inspections, complete thorough daily site walks, identify developing equipment issues, and accurately document completed work and deficiencies in the CMMS.
• Independently monitor and operate plant process equipment in accordance with SOPs, safe industry practices, operating limits, and established production objectives.
• Interpret production data from SCADA, laboratory analysis, historian trends, and field observations; make appropriate operating adjustments within established procedures; and communicate abnormal trends or conditions to plant management.
• Lead or actively support troubleshooting of ADM receiving and renewable natural gas plant issues by identifying probable causes, tracing systems, reviewing process data and technical documentation, and coordinating corrective actions with plant management, engineering, vendors, or contractors as needed.
• Perform laboratory analysis of feedstock and digester material, evaluate results for operating trends or abnormal conditions, and provide accurate laboratory reports and observations to plant management and engineering.
• Model and reinforce all site safety procedures; actively participate in site safety initiatives; and hold contractors, coworkers, and self accountable for following safe work procedures and protocols.
• Identify spare parts and consumable needs, anticipate critical inventory requirements, prepare requisitions for approval, and coordinate with vendors as needed to support reliable plant operation.
• Maintain organized and operationally ready inventories of spare parts, tools, and consumables, including oils, grease, seals, bearings, and other maintenance materials, and proactively identify shortages or critical spares.
• Demonstrate safe and proficient use of forklifts, hoists, cranes, hand and power tools, and other equipment required to support plant operations and maintenance activities.
• Inspect and collect information on parts, piping, and equipment using rulers, calipers, and other measuring instruments to support troubleshooting, maintenance planning, repair, and replacement activities.
• Follow all safety SOPs and support fabrication and repair activities, including temporary lines, piping, patchwork, welding, grinding, or cutting work, within the employee's training and authorization.
• Take ownership of facility housekeeping and equipment condition by maintaining clean, organized, and safe work areas and reinforcing the same expectations with coworkers and contractors.
• Maintain accurate and current calibration records for required equipment and proactively identify upcoming calibration or service needs.
• Inspect and test eyewash stations, fire extinguishers, PPE, and other life-safety systems as assigned, promptly addressing or escalating deficiencies.
• Demonstrate site ownership by identifying and communicating safety, housekeeping, maintenance, reliability, and process concerns beyond assigned tasks and partnering with plant management to drive resolution.
• Serve as a dependable resource to less experienced team members by sharing site knowledge, reinforcing procedures and expectations, and supporting effective team execution without acting outside assigned authority.
• Must be available to work overtime, weekends, and extended hours as operational needs require, including response to plant emergencies or critical operating events.
• Perform additional duties requested by the Facility Manager and proactively support activities necessary to operate and maintain the facility in a safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient manner.

Goals

• Safety – Perform all work in accordance with Anaergia's safety policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and regulatory requirements while maintaining a safe working environment for employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Operations – Safely receive, inspect, unload, and document incoming liquid organic feedstocks while ensuring compliance with feedstock acceptance criteria and maintaining efficient receiving operations.
• Equipment Reliability – Operate, monitor, inspect, and maintain process equipment to maximize equipment reliability and plant uptime through preventive maintenance, routine inspections, and timely reporting of deficiencies.
• Process Performance – Monitor plant performance through SCADA, field observations, laboratory sampling, and operating data, and support process adjustments and troubleshooting activities to optimize facility performance.
• Maintenance & Housekeeping – Maintain facility equipment, tools, spare parts, calibration records, and work areas in a clean, organized, and operationally ready condition while accurately documenting maintenance activities in the CMMS.
• Compliance & Documentation – Complete all required operating logs, maintenance records, manifests, laboratory documentation, inspections, and regulatory records accurately and in a timely manner.
• Teamwork & Communication – Communicate effectively with haulers, contractors, supervisors, and coworkers to support safe, efficient, and reliable facility operations while responding to operational issues as they arise.
• Continuous Improvement – Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve safety, reliability, equipment performance, operating procedures, and overall efficiency.

Required Skills and Experience

• Required Skills:
  • Demonstrated ability to independently perform core OMT I-level operations and maintenance responsibilities at a consistently high level.
  • Strong ability to safely operate, monitor, and troubleshoot integrated industrial plant systems and process equipment using SCADA information, field observations, laboratory results, and operating trends.
  • Ability to trace plant mechanical systems and accurately read, interpret, and develop or update mechanical P&IDs and electrical single-line diagrams, along with equipment drawings, technical manuals, specifications, and operating procedures.
  • Working knowledge of anaerobic digestion and wastewater treatment processes, including key operating indicators associated with a healthy digester and wastewater treatment process, or a strong technical background and demonstrated ability to develop this knowledge quickly.
  • Working knowledge of pumps, conveyors, instrumentation, piping, valves, motors, and other industrial mechanical and electrical equipment, with the ability to identify system interactions and likely failure points.
  • Ability to perform mechanical troubleshooting, preventive and corrective maintenance, equipment disassembly/reassembly, lubrication, component replacement, and other routine repairs within training and authorization.
  • Proficiency with common hand and power tools, lifting equipment, and measuring instruments used in industrial operations and maintenance.
  • Ability to accurately document inspections, maintenance activities, operating conditions, repairs, and follow-up actions using the CMMS and other site records.
  • Ability to identify required replacement parts, tools, materials, and outside support; engage vendors and contractors effectively; and coordinate or oversee contractor work when repairs are beyond onsite capabilities.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of site-based experience in industrial operations, plant maintenance, wastewater treatment, anaerobic digestion, renewable energy, manufacturing, or a related industrial environment. Experience demonstrating increasing independence, technical capability, accountability, and ownership of plant operations is strongly preferred.
• Education: High school diploma or GED required. Technical or trade school certification in mechanical, electrical, industrial maintenance, wastewater, or a related field is preferred. An associate's or bachelor's degree in a related technical field may substitute for relevant technical training or experience.
• Physical Requirements: This position is based at our San Bernardino site and requires regular onsite attendance. Frequently walk throughout an industrial manufacturing facility, including climbing stairs, ladders, and elevated platforms; Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions; Ability to wear all required PPE, including hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed footwear, gloves, and respiratory protection as required; Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds; Ability to work around moving mechanical equipment, chemicals, noise, heat, and confined industrial spaces while following all safety procedures; Must be available for periodic after-hours remote support and occasional onsite response during plant emergencies or critical operating events.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record. Must be able to obtain and maintain required site certifications, including mobile crane, manlift, and forklift certifications.

For additional information on Anaergia, please visit www.anaergia.com

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Anaergia provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Anaergia will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities.