Lead Control Room Operator (CRO)

The Johnson County Power Facility, strategically situated 35 miles southwest of the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is a robust 268 MW natural gas combined cycle power plant. Since its inception in May 1999, it has been under the expert operation of NAES. This cutting-edge facility boasts a 1X1 configuration featuring the SW 501FC+ combined cycle technology, offering the versatility to be powered by either natural gas or diesel, ensuring reliability and efficiency in energy generation.

Opportunity Summary

The Lead Control Room Operator at Johnson County Power provides strategic oversight of all control room operations, ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient performance of plant systems. In this leadership role, the operator mentors and guides the team, directs responses to plant upsets, drives troubleshooting efforts, and enforces strict adherence to safety and environmental regulations. Serving as a key partner to the Operations Manager, the Lead CRO also manages scheduling, supports critical operational decisions, and assumes managerial responsibilities in the Manager’s absence.

Your scope of responsibility as Lead Control Room Operator will include the following primary functions:

- Direct the start-up, operation, and shutdown of all major plant equipment, including turbine generators, ensuring strict compliance with safety and operational standards.

- Oversee and coordinate the operation of combustion turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, generators, the RO Unit, and auxiliary systems, ensuring reliability and efficiency while making recommendations to optimize thermal and electrical output.

- Lead the response to plant upsets, alarms, and equipment malfunctions, serving as the point of escalation for troubleshooting and coordinating corrective actions with operators and technical staff.

- Provide leadership and mentorship to operators, assisting in staff training, re-qualifications, and development to improve team competency and promote professional growth.

- Serve as the Plant Training Coordinator, overseeing operator training programs and qualification management, including GPI, Veriforce, NERC, and ERCOT requirements, to ensure personnel maintain required certifications and competencies.

- Lead and actively participate in NAES Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance Programs, fostering a strong safety culture across the operations team.

- Hold team members accountable for adhering to safety and environmental rules, policies, and procedures while maintaining personal accountability.

- Conduct thorough and accurate shift handovers, ensuring operational continuity by briefing incoming personnel on plant status, issues, and concerns.

- Review and validate daily logs, plant records, and operating data—including AO plant rounds, data collection software, barcoding systems, emissions, efficiency metrics, and chemical/lab inventory—ensuring accuracy and compliance.

- Administer and support Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Safe Work Permit programs/software, while coordinating with maintenance during shifts and outages for equipment isolation, work requests, and troubleshooting support.

- Ensure operating manuals, P&IDs, technical references, and diagrams are properly maintained, and assist with updates using AutoCAD and preventive/predictive maintenance software.

- Maintain Distributed Control System (DCS) integrity through logic and graphic control changes, backups, historian management, and system cleanliness.

- Support and direct maintenance activities during normal shifts and outages, providing technical guidance and operational oversight.

- Assist the Operations Manager with daily oversight, scheduling, and manpower loading, and assume Manager responsibilities in their absence.

- Execute directives from the Operations Manager while serving as a key resource for plant operational decision-making and success.

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 CRO reports to the Operations Manager and responds to directions from the Maintenance Manager, and Plant Manager. The Lead CRO gives direction to other personnel as it pertains to the reliable operations of the facility.

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 $56 to $58 per hour, along with an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications and Skills

We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Operator with extensive power generation experience and demonstrated leadership ability. This role requires strong technical knowledge of plant systems, proven supervisory capability, and the ability to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations while supporting team development and compliance with all regulatory requirements.

- 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 be considered in lieu of education on a year-for-year basis.

- Extensive experience in power plant operations, with emphasis on control room leadership and system monitoring. Preferred experience includes direct operation of a combined-cycle, large-frame gas turbine power plant.

- In-depth knowledge of plant equipment, systems, and operational procedures, including turbine generators, combustion turbines, HRSGs, and balance-of-plant systems.

- Strong theoretical and practical understanding of combustion and steam turbine operations, closed system steam generation, industrial safety, hazardous waste management, and plant parameter monitoring.

- Proficiency in water chemistry control, including analysis of water conditions, water treatment facility operations, and safe chemical handling practices.

- Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, with a proven ability to direct, train, and develop team members to achieve high performance standards.

- Established track record of ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, with the ability to enforce standards among plant personnel.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey operational information and coordinate with management, staff, and external stakeholders.

- 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.

Experience

Preferred

- We are seeking a highly skilled Lead Operator with extensive power generation experience and demonstrated leadership ability. This role requires strong technical knowledge of plant systems, proven supervisory capability, and the ability to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operations while supporting team development and compliance with all regulatory requirements.

- 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 be considered in lieu of education on a year-for-year basis.

- Extensive experience in power plant operations, with emphasis on control room leadership and system monitoring. Preferred experience includes direct operation of a combined-cycle, large-frame gas turbine power plant.

- In-depth knowledge of plant equipment, systems, and operational procedures, including turbine generators, combustion turbines, HRSGs, and balance-of-plant systems.

- Strong theoretical and practical understanding of combustion and steam turbine operations, closed system steam generation, industrial safety, hazardous waste management, and plant parameter monitoring.

- Proficiency in water chemistry control, including analysis of water conditions, water treatment facility operations, and safe chemical handling practices.

- Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, with a proven ability to direct, train, and develop team members to achieve high performance standards.

- Established track record of ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, with the ability to enforce standards among plant personnel.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills to effectively convey operational information and coordinate with management, staff, and external stakeholders.

Education

Required

- Associates or better in Power Plant Technology or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Required

- Driver's License

Skills

Preferred

- Safety Statutes and Regulations

- Safety Policies and Procedures

- Safety Plan Creation/Maintenance

- Power Plant Operations

- Power Plant Fundamentals

- Power Generation

- Operations Management

- Control Room Operations

- Water Chemistry

- Chemistry Analysis

- Water Treatment

- Chemical Handling

- Piping & Instrumentation Design (P&ID)

- Leadership

Behaviors

Preferred

- Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

- Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them

- Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

- Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.