Lead Operations and Maintenance; O&M) Technician

Lead Operations & Maintenance Technician

The Empire Generating Facility is a combined-cycle power plant that utilizes two General Electric (GE) Frame 7FA.03 gas turbines and a General Electric D11 extraction-point steam turbine in a 2x1 configuration. This setup provides a total capacity of 635 megawatts. By integrating gas and steam turbines, the plant maximizes efficiency, ensuring a reliable and substantial power output.

Opportunity Summary

The Lead Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Technician provides hands-on technical leadership for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of Empire Generating Facility's combined-cycle equipment and systems. This role leads troubleshooting, inspections, preventive and corrective maintenance, and day-to-day work coordination while providing technical direction and mentoring to O&M Technicians. The Lead O&M Technician works closely with plant personnel, contractors, and vendors to support equipment availability, reliability, and overall plant performance.

Your scope of responsibility as Lead O&M Technician includes the following primary functions:

• Lead and support the startup, shutdown, operation, inspection, and maintenance of Empire's two GE Frame 7FA.03 gas turbines, HRSGs, GE D11 steam turbine, Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems, and associated balance-of-plant and auxiliary equipment.
• Monitor plant operating parameters, equipment condition, alarms, trends, and performance data; identify abnormal conditions and initiate appropriate corrective actions.
• Perform and coordinate equipment inspections, operating tests, preventive maintenance, minor repairs, and troubleshooting to maintain safe and reliable combined-cycle plant operation.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control-system issues and coordinate repairs to minimize equipment downtime.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting support for PLCs, distributed control systems (DCS), instrumentation, electrical systems, and associated wiring and components.
• Ensure plant equipment is operated, maintained, and prepared for service in accordance with established procedures, safety requirements, and environmental standards.
• Provide day-to-day functional direction and technical support to O&M Technicians, including mentoring team members and coordinating maintenance activities.
• Prioritize and assign preventive and corrective maintenance work, inspect completed work, and help ensure maintenance activities meet safety and quality expectations.
• Serve as a subject matter resource for the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), ensuring work orders, maintenance history, equipment issues, spare-parts usage, and completed work are accurately documented.
• Maintain and review operating logs and plant records, ensuring abnormal events, equipment conditions, and maintenance activities are documented accurately and promptly.
• Coordinate with plant personnel, contractors, and vendors to support maintenance activities, equipment availability, and overall plant reliability.
• Support plant management with day-to-day operating priorities and other activities necessary to maintain safe, efficient, and reliable plant performance.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee's performance.

Working Relationships

The Lead O&M Technician reports to the Operations and Maintenance Manager and takes general direction from other plant management. Additionally, this position will coordinate with all other plant personnel to ensure safe and reliable plant operations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Lead O&M…