Lead Opeator

Magnolia Power LLC is a new, start-of-the-art combined cycle power generating facility in Iberville Parish. The 700 MW generating station will use General Electric’s 7HA.03 advanced-class gas turbine in a one-on-one combined cycle configuration to provide best-in-class efficiency and emissions.

Job Overview:

The Lead Operator provides senior operational oversight and leadership for a combined cycle power plant by supervising and supporting Shift Lead Operators and ensuring consistent, safe, and reliable plant operation across all shifts. This position establishes operational standards, ensures procedural compliance, and serves as a technical and decision‑making resource for shift leadership. The Lead Operator does not routinely serve as the on‑shift operator but maintains overall operational authority and accountability in coordination with plant management.

Responsibilities:

- Provide operational oversight and direction to Shift Lead Operators responsible for day‑to‑day control room and field operations.

- Ensure plant start‑ups, shutdowns, load changes, and abnormal operations are performed in accordance with approved procedures and best practices.

- Monitor plant performance, operating trends, and significant operational events across shifts.

- Serve as an escalation point for Shift Lead Operators during abnormal, emergency, or high‑risk operating conditions.

- Review and reinforce compliance with operating procedures, alarm response guides, and operating limits.

- Support operational planning, system lineup strategies, and plant readiness activities.

- Participate in incident reviews, trip investigations, and operational event analyses.

- Promote consistent shift‑to‑shift communication and operational alignment.

- Maintain high standards for operational professionalism and discipline.

Safety, Permit, and Work Control Oversight

- Provide oversight and governance of plant safety and work control processes managed by Shift Lead Operators.

- Ensure consistent application of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Safe Work Permits, Confined Space Entry, Hot Work Permits, and Job Safety Analyses (JSA).

- Review permit practices, system isolation approaches, and return‑to‑service processes for compliance with plant procedures and regulatory requirements.

- Support Shift Lead Operators in resolving permit conflicts, system boundary issues, and operational risk controls.

- Reinforce safety expectations and address procedural deviations or unsafe practices.

Leadership & Coordination

- Mentor, coach, and develop Shift Lead Operators and senior operators.

- Support training, qualification, and progression of operations personnel.

- Coordinate with Maintenance, Engineering, and Plant Management to align operational priorities and outage activities.

- Communicate plant operational risks, constraints, and performance issues to plant leadership.

- Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives related to operations, safety, and reliability.

Scope of Responsibilities

- Holds senior oversight responsibility for plant operations across all shifts.

- Does not routinely perform hands‑on control room operating duties but remains qualified to do so as needed.

- Acts as the primary operations subject‑matter expert and governance authority.

- Ensures operational consistency, discipline, and safety culture plant‑wide.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions:

- Primarily office and control room environment with periodic presence in plant areas.

- Occasional walking, climbing stairs, and use of PPE when entering operating areas.

- Exposure to plant environments including noise, heat, and outdoor conditions when in the field.

- Position may require on‑call availability to support abnormal or emergency events.

- All employees will participate in the Fitness-for-Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.

Qualifications:

- Minimum of five (5) or more years of power plant operations experience, preferably in a combined cycle generation facility.

- Demonstrated experience in a Lead Operator, Shift Lead Operator, or senior control room role.

- High school diploma or GED required.

- Associate Degree in Power Plant Technology, Electrical, Mechanical, or related technical discipline is a plus.

- Expert knowledge of combined cycle plant systems and operating philosophy.

- Strong understanding of multi‑unit coordination, transient operations, and abnormal event management.

- Proven ability to mentor and guide operational leadership staff.

- Deep familiarity with plant safety and work permitting systems, including LOTO, Safe Work, Confined Space, and Hot Work.

- Ability to interpret and enforce operating procedures, alarm response guides, and system diagrams.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills.

- Must possess the appropriate State driver’s license.

- Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Outlook, Word and Excel

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $63.00 per hour

Benefits:

- 401(k)

- 401(k) matching

- Dental insurance

- Health insurance

- Life insurance

- Paid time off

- Vision insurance

Work Location: In person