Operations & Maintenance; O&M Technician

Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Technician

NAES is seeking an experienced Technician to support the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the Niles Energy Center, a modern 1.08‑gigawatt gas‑fired combined‑cycle facility located in Niles, Michigan.

The O&M Technician performs field‑based monitoring, operations, maintenance, and safety tasks in coordination with the Control Room Operator. Responsibilities include assisting with equipment start‑up, shutdown, troubleshooting, and routine operation outside the control room while ensuring compliance with environmental and safety protocols.

• Support the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the power generation facility by performing field‑based monitoring, operations, maintenance, and safety tasks in coordination with the Control Room Operator.
• Receive comprehensive handover from the outgoing O&M Technician, covering special instructions and any irregular operating conditions. Examine logs and inspect equipment following lockout/tagout protocols.
• Monitor and operate boilers, gas and steam turbine generators, auxiliaries, and balance‑of‑plant systems from outside the control room. Perform start‑up, shutdown, and routine operating tasks in accordance with established procedures and under the guidance of the Control Room Operator.
• Prepare equipment for service following operating procedures and safety protocols. Conduct operating tests and inspections on assigned equipment to verify proper functioning and prevent downtime.
• Identify, report, and address abnormal or faulty conditions within guidelines to prevent equipment damage or hazards. Maintain accurate logs of operational activities, equipment status, and noted abnormalities.
• Continuously oversee emissions control systems to ensure regulatory compliance and promptly alert the Control Room Operator if deviations occur.
• Collect water samples and conduct chemical tests (e.g., pH, conductivity) per facility requirements and lab safety protocols.
• Safely manage hazardous chemicals and execute transfer operations, responding to spills or leaks swiftly and in accordance with emergency response guidelines.
• Control electrical breakers and switches as instructed, performing lockout and tagging procedures to isolate equipment safely for maintenance.
• Conduct scheduled reliability and operational tests on critical equipment—including lube oil pumps, turbine valves, trip systems, fire protection, and chemical safety apparatus—to verify proper function and readiness as directed.
• Perform routine maintenance, minor repairs, equipment calibration, and troubleshooting on plant machinery, instrumentation, and electrical systems. Assist maintenance teams during planned and unplanned outages to ensure safe, efficient task completion.
• Assist in troubleshooting and inspecting programmable logic controllers (PLCs), plant control systems, and distributed control systems (DCS) to ensure proper automation functioning.
• Oversee contractor and vendor activities onsite and provide status updates to the Control Room Operator as needed.
• Ensure work areas remain tidy and organized by conducting regular housekeeping duties across the facility.
• Maintain accurate documentation using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for work orders, including spare parts usage, reordering, and maintenance tracking.
• Perform additional duties as directed by control room staff and plant management to support effective plant operations.

Safety is a core value  employees must remain mentally alert, work safely at all times, and adhere to all safety warnings, posted signs, and NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is a key factor in performance evaluation.

The O&M Technician reports to the Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Manager and takes direction from the Plant Manager. They collaborate closely with operations and maintenance personnel and occasionally provide guidance to ensure the facility operates safely and reliably.

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods, climbing…