Bioenergy Technician

Northern Bioenergy provides facility management for Gundersen Envision biogas facilities. The facilities are privately owned, but local and state stakeholders play a strong role. Biogas technology converts organic residue to a natural gas substitute. 

The Gundersen model converts the biogas to electricity in reciprocating IC engines. The plants are anchored in the agricultural sector with family-owned dairy partners, but serve many commercial food processing industries. There are many regional dairy and vegetable processors, including brewery and distillery waste that contribute material to the anaerobic system.

General Job Description

Currently, 10 full-time staff members operate 2 facilities. We contract with PLC automation (programmable logic controller) and network IT. We also work with administrative staff and client representation from Gundersen. The staff members include those with farming and equipment background, engine mechanics and industrial maintenance.

Responsibilities & Technology Overview

• There are many elements of wastewater operations, composting, organic material handling and pre-treatment. Thus many of the activities the existing staff members perform include rebuilding and repairing equipment, monitoring the SCADA, assisting in plant upgrades.
• The types of equipment one would support include screw press separation, centrifuge operation, de-packaging equipment, process controls such as pressure, temperature, ultrasonic level sensors, pneumatic controls systems, gas analysis and heavy equipment such as tub grinder, skid-steer loader, aerial lift and snow plow.
• We are also responsible for maintaining large (over 2 mega-Watt) Combined Heat and Power units and district heating and refrigeration/ gas treatment.
• There is also an independent compost operation on site turning out quality lawn and garden products. The plant has strict goals for phosphorus removal and watershed protection.
• And, the facility will soon include advanced nutrient capture through membrane technology.

Qualifications

• A background in either soil science, waste management, construction, facility operations and management, biological modeling/ mass balance and process controls is desirable.
• Skill or interest in instrumentation or automation is highly desired.
• The goal is to find an individual with skill sets and strengths that compliment and round-out the team.