Carbon Harvest Energy has the following openings in Brattleboro, Vermont:
Energy Plant & Greenhouse Maintenance Operator (see full job description below)
Lead Grower/ Hydroponics Specialist (see full job description below)
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Energy Plant & Greenhouse Maintenance Operator
Carbon Harvest Energy LLC is a developer of integrated renewable energy and food production systems. We produce energy to the grid and recover waste heat from our energy systems to fuel greenhouse-based agriculture, aquaculture and algae culture. Carbon Harvest’s™ “closed loop” systems strive to transform all waste streams and excess nutrients into electricity, heat, food and feedstocks. Carbon Harvest’s innovative systems demonstrate a more sustainable approach to year-round, local food and feed production in the North by eliminating the need for fossil fuel inputs and reducing methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Job Overview:
Brattleboro Carbon Harvest (BCH) owns and operates an integrated resource management facility that includes: the capture of landfill gas from the closed Brattleboro landfill; the generation of electricity through the combustion of this gas in an internal combustion engine; and the capturing of the waste heat from the generator’s engine for use in heating an adjacent greenhouse and aquaponics facility which raises fish, vegetables and algae. BCH is the first project of Carbon Harvest Energy, a Burlington Vermont based firm. Carbon Harvest Energy is currently in the planning stages for similar facilities at several additional New England sites and has plans to continue to expand into the future.
The Brattleboro Carbon Harvest Maintenance Operator is responsible for all aspects of the operation and routine maintenance of the CHP Plant as well as the landfill’s Gas Collection System’s (GCS) wellfield and piping network that supplies the gas to the Plant. This position is responsible for optimizing the performance of the CHP Plant and landfill wellfield in order to maximize electrical generation rates while meeting the heating needs of the adjacent greenhouse and algae processing facility. The Maintenance Operator is also responsible for the routine maintenance, repair and upkeep of the adjacent aquaponics greenhouse including the aquaponics system, greenhouse and head house structures, and surrounding grounds. The BCH Maintenance Operator is supervised by the Director of Agricultural Integrations or their designee.
The position requires strong mechanical and engine skills, including an understanding of gas and liquid hydraulic properties, heat exchangers, pumps, motors and SCADA control systems.
This is an opportunity for an experienced individual to join a company in its formative years and to grow with it in accordance with the individual’s capabilities and Carbon Harvest Energy’s future needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge and experience in the operation, maintenance and repair of industrial duty engines, generators, pumps, motors and piping systems
• Excellent independent problem solving and logic skills • Excellent organization skills, including the ability to plan and schedule
• Basic computer skills including working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and email software
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously
• Ability to read, interpret and follow technical manuals for procedures and safety
• Ability to work weekends to fulfill non-routine work requirements and respond to CHP Plant alarms
• A desire to join a business showing practical solutions and leadership in sustainable design in renewable energy and local food development• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions
• Moderate to strenuous physical effort required
Responsibilities:
CHP Plant and Landfill Gas Collection System
• Routinely monitor and record the quality of the landfill gas collected at individual wells and other monitoring devices with a portable gas analyzer (GEM 2000)
• Tune individual GCS wells so as to maximize the BTUs captured by the system and delivered to the engine/generator (genset)
• Maintain and improve the GCS piping network to eliminate leaks and blockages
• Maintain landfill gas (LFG) condensate removal devises and knockout tanks
• Recommend and implement improvements to the GCS to increase volume and quality of LFG collected
• Operate and maintain up to two 300 kW gensets to maximize the electricity generated and sold to the grid and minimize downtime and long-term costs• Implement a formal preventative maintenance program for the gensets
• Operate and maintain the Plant’s Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system
• Maintain the CHP Plant facility grounds and buildings
• Maintain an auxiliary flare and operate flare when gensets are not functioning
• Oversee record keeping and data collection systems for facility.
• Serve as the primary contact and first responder to the CHP Plant’s alarm notification system
• Procure parts and supplies needed to fulfill the above responsibilities
• Maintain compliance with all rules, regulations, permits and contractual conditions
• Ability to function; independently, as a member of a team, and as a supervised staff
• Other duties as required
Aquaponics Greenhouse
• Perform routine maintenance upkeep and repair of aquaponics systems components such as PVC piping, motors, pumps, filters, disinfectant equipment, water and wastewater management systems
• Perform routine maintenance on Facility structure and equipment (cooler, venting system and control systems)
• Daily, monthly and annual routine checklists for Facility preventive maintenance program
• Light construction as needed
• Record and report data as request in maintenance areas
• Identify and procure contractors as required
• Operate and maintain the greenhouse system’s climate control system
• Maintain the facility’s grounds and buildings
• Procure parts and supplies needed to fulfill the above responsibilities
• Maintain compliance with all rules, regulations, permits and contractual conditions
• Ability to function independently, as a member of a team, and as a supervised staff member
• Other duties as required
Compensation:
$35,000- $40,000/yr, dependent upon experience and skills; generous benefits package. Part time employment status will be considered if required by applicant.
Please submit cover letter, resume, and name, address and email of three references as one PDF document to jobs@carbonharvestenergy.com and reference Maintenance Operator in the subject line. Also indicate time frame of availability in cover letter. Deadline for applications is April 1, 2012. Only applications providing all requested information will be considered.
No phone calls please. Carbon Harvest Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Lead Grower/ Hydroponics Specialist
Job Overview:
Hydroponic/ Aquaponic crop production is a critical component of Carbon Harvest’s linked systems. The position requires knowledge and experience in Controlled Environment Growing Systems and Hydroponic/ Aquaponic vegetable production systems from design through operation; proven success in raising high-quality produce in similar systems; knowledge in plant science, integrated pest management, hydroponics, nutrient management, organic standards and practices (GAP certification), and; strong mechanical skills. This position is responsible for; maintaining, managing and training staff for optimized daily production; managing climate and environmental controls, nutrient/water testing, nutrient delivery systems,, record-keeping, plant propagation, germination, transplanting, and harvesting; maintaining food security, and; establishing written operating, management and maintenance protocols. Presently, produce of choice for the Brattleboro facility will include: basil, lettuce, and, to a lesser extent, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other herbs.
Preferred Qualifications:
BS or 5 years experince in Plant Biology, Plant and Soil Sciences, Aquatic Ecology, Environment Control Design or related field; experience collaborating with engineers on production system design; practical experience in commercial scale hydroponic or aquaponic production and an understanding of biology and engineering fundamentals for crop production as it applies to commercial field or greenhouse environment, and; experience in project management. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States, and fluent in written and spoken English. Candidates are highly self-motivated, can work independently and efficiently in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment and integrate well with a small, closely collaborating team.
Responsibilities:
Participate directly in hydroponic/aquaponic system design, start-up and operations; manage technicians and other personnel in hydroponic operations, maintenance and environment control; provide sound data assessment, record keeping and result reports; support general facility and equipment maintenance.
Compensation:
$35,000-$45,000/yr, dependent upon experience and skills; generous benefits package.
Please submit cover letter, resume, and name, address and email of three references as one PDF document jobs@carbonharvestenergy.com and reference Lead Grower in the subject line. Also indicate time frame of availability in cover letter. Deadline for applications is May 15, 2012. Only applications providing all requested information will be considered.
No phone calls please. Carbon Harvest Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer.