Lead Operations and Maintenance (O&M) 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 Technician works a rotating 12-hour shift schedule, alternating between days and nights to support continuous 24/7 operations. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability as needed to support plant operations and business needs.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $ to $ per hour, along with an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree in Power Plant Technology, engineering technology, or a related field preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of additional education.


• Significant hands-on combined-cycle power generation experience, including operation and maintenance of gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, and auxiliary equipment; GE Frame 7FA and D11 experience is preferred.


• Demonstrated leadership ability providing technical direction, coordinating work activities, and mentoring O&M Technicians.


• Journeyman-level knowledge of power plant operations and systems, including startup, shutdown, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of turbine-generators, pumps, valves, and mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.


• Strong technical knowledge of gas and steam turbine operations, CEMS, electrical systems, process controls, P&IDs, and plant operating parameters within a combined-cycle operating environment.


• Proficiency in reading and troubleshooting from blueprints, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and other plant documentation.


• Thorough understanding of plant safety practices, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), OSHA requirements, and applicable environmental standards.


• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, verbal and written communication, technical writing, and basic mathematical skills.


• Proven ability to coordinate contractors and vendors while supporting maintenance planning and execution in a safe and reliable operating environment.


• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.