Maintenance Technician - Faribault

Faribault Energy Park is a 265 MW combined-cycle facility owned by the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (MMPA). Meticulously developed to be both environmentally conscious and aesthetically appealing to the immediate surrounding area, the plant blends sustainability with efficient power generation. Powered by a GE Frame 7FA dual-fuel combustion turbine generator (CTG), and a A10 GE Steam Turbine, along with innovative resource management practices such as rainwater collection.

Opportunity Summary

The Mechanical Maintenance Technician at Faribault Energy Park plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of plant operations. They contribute to preventive, routine, and predictive maintenance programs, utilizing CMMS systems to collect and analyze data that supports operational decisions. Through effective troubleshooting and the repair of critical mechanical systems such as pumps, valves, and turbines, they ensure optimal equipment performance and safety during both routine and planned shutdowns. Collaborating with team members, they promote plant reliability and performance, while supervising contractors to maintain safety and quality standards.

Your scope of responsibility as Mechanical Maintenance Technician includes the following primary functions:

• Perform scheduled preventive, routine, and predictive maintenance tasks using CMMS while collecting, analyzing, and logging trending data, time, materials, and procedures to support operational decisions.


• Maintain spare parts inventory, plant maintenance equipment, operating manuals, technical references, diagrams, and CMMS records to ensure reliability, accessibility, and regulatory compliance.


• Read and interpret meters, gauges, and instrumentation to monitor operating conditions, including temperature, vibration, pressure, fluid levels, and water chemistry.


• Diagnose mechanical equipment issues promptly and recommend design or machinery modifications to enhance reliability and performance.


• Perform maintenance and repairs following blueprints, sketches, and technical procedures to ensure compliance with engineering standards.


• Maintain, repair, and overhaul mechanical systems and components, including pumps, valves, fans, gearboxes, compressors, turbines, boilers, heat exchangers, and auxiliary equipment.


• Assemble, disassemble, repair, and adjust all types of electrical and mechanical equipment, including piping, tubing, valves, and fittings under high/low temperature or pressure conditions, and perform certified welding when required.


• Set up and operate machine shop tools for precise machining tasks such as drilling, tapping, lathe operations, milling, surface grinding, and metal heating/cutting, ensuring proper alignment and balance of rotating equipment.


• Operate and maintain combined-cycle power-generating facility equipment independently, adhering to plant procedures.


• Participate in planned shutdowns and major repairs by inspecting equipment, diagnosing issues, and executing maintenance tasks safely and efficiently.


• Safely handle heavy machinery and materials using plant rigging and lifting equipment.


• Follow safety and environmental rules and regulations, identify hazards, and implement or recommend corrective actions to maintain safe working practices.


• Coordinate and schedule outage-related mechanical work, ensuring efficient resource allocation and minimizing operational disruptions.


• Collaborate with team members to execute maintenance tasks, share knowledge, and supervise contractors or outside technicians to ensure work meets safety and quality standards.


• Complete additional tasks as assigned by the Maintenance Manager or Plant Manager, demonstrating flexibility and commitment to plant operations.

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 Mechanical Maintenance Technician reports directly to the Maintenance Manager and receives general direction from other plant management. This role involves interfacing with contractors and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) personnel to ensure necessary support and coordination.

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

This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $39.07 to $54.77 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for a skilled Technician with experience in power generation operations and maintenance, coupled with a proven ability to contribute effectively to team success and consistently meet performance standards.

• An Associate degree in Plant Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Process Technology, or a related field is preferred. Alternatively, equivalent technical training in industrial maintenance or instrumentation and control is beneficial, though not required. Relevant industry or military experience may also be considered.


• Extensive hands-on experience in power-generating facility maintenance, preferably as a power plant mechanic, millwright, or in a similar role.


• Comprehensive knowledge of power plant operations, including preventive and predictive maintenance programs, with proven ability to maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and overhaul mechanical systems and balance-of-plant equipment such as pumps, valves, compressors, turbines, boilers, and auxiliary systems.


• Strong commitment to safety protocols and regulatory compliance, ensuring quality, safety, and operational standards are upheld during maintenance, repairs, and shutdown activities.


• Proficiency in assembling, disassembling, adjusting, and aligning electrical and mechanical equipment, including experience with precision measuring tools, diagnostic instruments, fabrication tools, and rigging equipment.


• Ability to read, interpret, and analyze data from meters, gauges, and instrumentation to monitor operational conditions, including temperature, vibration, pressure, fluid levels, and water chemistry.


• Skilled in performing machining, welding, and fabrication tasks to close tolerances, ensuring proper alignment and balance of rotating and stationary equipment.


• Strong teamwork and supervisory abilities, including collaborating with colleagues, sharing technical insights, and overseeing contractors or outside technicians to maintain safety and quality standards.


• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, for coordinating maintenance activities, documenting procedures, and providing clear reports to management and team members.


• 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 have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.