Visit out the Biomass Energy Basics page at the National Renewal Energy Laboratorys Web site, https://www.nrel.gov/research/re-biomass.html, to learn more about the field. Learn industry terminology by checking out glossaries, such as the one that is offered by the Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (https://www.energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/glossary).

Learn more about the biomass energy industry by attending industry events and conferences. For example, the International Biomass Conference and Expo is held each year in different parts of the country and offers opportunities to network with and learn from people working in the biomass field. Find information at http://www.biomassconference.com.

Participate in information interviews and job-shadowing experiences with biomass industry professionals to learn more about the field. Get involved in renewable energy competitions and participate in summer exploration programs in science, technology, and renewable energy at colleges and universities to obtain hands-on experience.

Visit the Web sites of industry associations such as the American Biomass Energy Association (https://www.usabiomass.org) to keep up with industry news and career opportunities. Search for biomass energy associations that are located in your region to find out about upcoming events. Volunteering at these events is another good way to gain valuable experience and talk with people about the different types of jobs in biomass energy. A part-time or summer job in a biomass power plant or renewable energy company is another good way to get a foot in the door. Find job listings through your schools career services office, via professional associations, and through employment Web sites.

Biomass power plant managers oversee the production and operation of power plants that transform biomass to usable energy. The biomass may be coal, wood, paper sludge, or other types of waste. Power plant managers make sure that equipment is functioning correctly and that workers and production processes are operating according to safety protocols and in compliance with federal and regional standards and regulations.

Managers of biomass power plants have many responsibilities beyond supervising plant employees and processes. They test equipment and make repairs, using specialized tools and testing procedures. They are knowledgeable about raw materials, quality control, costs, and other aspects of manufacturing, and rely on this knowledge when preparing and managing power plant budgets. Power plant managers also create and manage schedules for fuel deliveries, waste removal, and maintenance. They track inventory so that supplies and parts are readily available to keep the power plant operating safely and efficiently.

The job also entails administrative tasks, such as reading reports and analyzing data to keep up to date on production processes so that improvements can be made where needed. Power plant managers communicate regularly with other managers and power plant staff via e-mail, telephone calls, online video platforms, and face-to-face meetings.