Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
Biomass Plant Technicians
Biomass Plant Technicians control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.
Table of contents
What they do
Biomass Plant Technicians control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.
- Operate high-pressure steam boiler or water chiller equipment for electrical cogeneration operations.
- Operate biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions.
- Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust the production of biofuels or biomass-fueled power.
- Operate equipment to heat biomass, using knowledge of controls, combustion, and firing mechanisms.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Biomass Plant Technicians clean work areas to ensure compliance with safety regulations. They preprocess feedstock to prepare for biochemical or thermochemical production processes.
A typical day for a Biomass Plant Technician will also include:
- Manage parts and supply inventories for biomass plants.
- Operate equipment to heat biomass, using knowledge of controls, combustion, and firing mechanisms.
- Operate high-pressure steam boiler or water chiller equipment for electrical cogeneration operations.
- Operate biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions.
- Operate equipment to start, stop, or regulate biomass-fueled generators, generator units, boilers, engines, or auxiliary systems.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Biomass Plant Technicians also read and interpret instruction manuals or technical drawings related to biomass-fueled power or biofuels production equipment or processes. They may also perform routine maintenance or make minor repairs to mechanical, electrical, or electronic equipment in biomass plants.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Biomass Plant Technicians manage parts and supply inventories for biomass plants. They might also calculate, measure, load, or mix biomass feedstock for power generation.
In addition, they preprocess feedstock to prepare for biochemical or thermochemical production processes.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them assess the quality of biomass feedstock.
To some Biomass Plant Technicians, it is also their responsibility to operate biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who want job security and a good working condition.
This career is perfect for people who love to work both indoors and outdoors.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Biomass Plant Technicians with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $35,220 to $45,320 per year or $17 to $22 per hour.
Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
---|---|---|
Highest (Top 10%) | $83,810 | $40 |
Senior (Top 25%) | $71,270 | $34 |
Median | $58,960 | $28 |
Junior (Bottom 25%) | $45,320 | $22 |
No experience (Bottom 10%) | $35,220 | $17 |
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
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Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
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On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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