Relief Lead Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician

Located 30 miles south of Albany, New Athens Generating stands as a formidable energy hub in the town of Athens, NY. Boasting a capacity of 1,080 megawatts, it operates three Siemens 501G combustion turbine generators fueled by natural gas combined-cycle technology, ensuring efficient and reliable power generation for the region. Nestled amidst scenic landscapes, this facility serves as a vital contributor to the area's electricity grid, meeting the demands of modern energy consumption with cutting-edge technology.

Opportunity Summary

The Relief Lead Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician at New Athens Generating provides oversight and functional direction to plant personnel, ensuring safe and efficient operation of all plant systems, including the startup and shutdown of main equipment and auxiliaries. This role is responsible for performing preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance, conducting inspections and operational tests, managing consumables, maintaining logs, and ensuring procedural compliance across all operations. The Relief Lead O&M Technician also supports training and development of O&M staff, communicates effectively with internal and external stakeholders, serves as site representative after hours, and performs additional duties to maintain operational excellence.

Your scope of responsibility as Relief Lead O&M Technician will include the following primary functions:

Oversight, Supervision, and Safety

- Oversees and provides functional direction to plant O&M personnel regarding plant operations, including the startup and shutdown of main plant equipment and auxiliaries.

- Serves as the lead system representative on assigned systems.

- Operates under general direction and minimal supervision, following established procedures. Decisions are made within prescribed operating guidelines. Work involves recurring high-complexity situations, with occasional variations from the norm.

- Has the authority to control plant operations safely, ensuring no accidents occur and maintaining compliance with all environmental permits.

- Conducts routine tours of the plant to inspect equipment, provides direction and feedback to team members, and ensures site safety requirements and procedures are consistently observed. Identifies safety hazards and takes corrective action as necessary.

- Ensures all plant switching and tagging of equipment is conducted in accordance with approved lock-out/tag-out procedures and prudent operations and maintenance practices.

Operations, Maintenance, and Procedures

- Plans and performs routine preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on all systems and equipment.

- Performs electrical and mechanical inspections, troubleshooting, and operational tests on all power plant systems and components.

- Performs routine cycle chemistry and makes necessary adjustments to optimize efficiency. Monitors daily consumption rates of chemicals, gases, fuels, water, and other consumables; tracks inventories and initiates action to replenish them.

- Investigates plant problems, incidents, accidents, and unusual events, providing analyses, recommendations, reports, and appropriate follow-up plans.

- Maintains accurate shift operating logs, records, time sheets, material requisitions, work reports of downtime, outages, repair requirements, and production indices.

- Interprets operating and maintenance data based on established standards and sound plant practices.

- Develops, reviews, and revises operating and related procedures, ensuring procedural compliance in all plant operations and maintenance activities.

- Plans and performs housekeeping duties, maintaining housekeeping standards or initiating corrective action as needed.

- Develops and monitors the planned daily operations schedule.

Training, Communication, and Additional Duties

- Assists in the orientation, training, and development of new O&M Technicians. Designs, develops, and evaluates on-the-job and classroom training in operations and maintenance subjects.

- Prepares and administers lesson plans, visual aids, examinations, qualification standards, and other materials related to employee training and development.

- Communicates with personnel on-site and at other locations. Represents the company when dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, regulators, and other non-company personnel.

- Serves as the site representative after normal hours.

- Effectively communicates plant equipment condition and performance to supervision and fellow personnel, providing suggestions for plant improvements.

- Provide relief support by covering day and night shifts on an as-needed basis, and be able and willing to work overtime, whether scheduled or call-in.

- Conducts bulk offloads of plant chemicals as required.

- Ensures work is performed correctly the first time to meet customer needs and maintain operational excellence.

- Performs other duties necessary to fulfill plant requirements and support all other plant departments.

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 Relief Lead O&M Technician reports to the Operations and Maintenance Manager and takes general direction from other plant management. Additionally, this position provides guidance and advice to maintenance personnel on matters pertaining to plant operations and gives directions to O&M Technicians.

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 Relief Lead O&M Technician works a 12-hour rotating shift schedule, alternating between days and nights to support continuous 24/7 operations and ensure seamless shift transitions. 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 will also be required.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $48.63 to $58.21 per hour, along with an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications and Skills

We are looking for a results-oriented Lead Technician with experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, coupled with a track record of leadership, career development, and operational success.

- Ability to understand procedures and instructions specific to the area of assignment as would be acquired in four years of high school, with a preference for an Associate degree in power plant technology or a similar technology or engineering degree; experience may be considered in lieu of education on a year-for-year basis.

- Five (5) years of power plant experience in operations and/or maintenance, including experience with gas turbine combined-cycle operations preferred.

- Knowledge of power plant mechanical and electrical equipment, including motors, pumps, boilers, fluid systems, chemical handling, water treatment systems, pollution control equipment, AC and DC electrical distribution and control systems, and associated maintenance functions, with the ability to troubleshoot, maintain, install, and modify equipment as needed.

- Thorough understanding of the water treatment process through both hands-on experience and formal training, including successful completion of in-house training and testing, and knowledge of the impact of water treatment on overall plant operations, along with a broad understanding of chemistry and chemical applications in a power plant.

- Knowledge of power plant safety policies and procedures, particularly in high-energy systems, chemical handling, heavy equipment, rotating machinery, confined spaces, incipient fire suppression, and first aid.

- Basic understanding of fundamental principles of physics, mathematics, AC and DC electrical theory, chemistry, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid flow.

- Demonstrated ability to operate valves, switches, controls, keyboards, and other plant devices, as well as basic hand tools, portable electric and pneumatic tools, and rigging equipment such as winches, hoists, and slings.

- Ability to comprehend and apply technical information, including mechanical and electrical drawings (blueprints, P&IDs, single-line diagrams, schematics) to troubleshooting and problem-solving situations.

- Proficiency in operating and maintaining various analytical and test equipment.

- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to coordinate technical work across job families and with outside vendors and contractors, and outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills.

- 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 looking for a results-oriented Lead Technician with experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, coupled with a track record of leadership, career development, and operational success.

- Ability to understand procedures and instructions specific to the area of assignment as would be acquired in four years of high school, with a preference for an Associate degree in power plant technology or a similar technology or engineering degree; experience may be considered in lieu of education on a year-for-year basis.

- Five (5) years of power plant experience in operations and/or maintenance, including experience with gas turbine combined-cycle operations preferred.

- Knowledge of power plant mechanical and electrical equipment, including motors, pumps, boilers, fluid systems, chemical handling, water treatment systems, pollution control equipment, AC and DC electrical distribution and control systems, and associated maintenance functions, with the ability to troubleshoot, maintain, install, and modify equipment as needed.

- Thorough understanding of the water treatment process through both hands-on experience and formal training, including successful completion of in-house training and testing, and knowledge of the impact of water treatment on overall plant operations, along with a broad understanding of chemistry and chemical applications in a power plant.

- Knowledge of power plant safety policies and procedures, particularly in high-energy systems, chemical handling, heavy equipment, rotating machinery, confined spaces, incipient fire suppression, and first aid.

- Basic understanding of fundamental principles of physics, mathematics, AC and DC electrical theory, chemistry, thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid flow.

- Demonstrated ability to operate valves, switches, controls, keyboards, and other plant devices, as well as basic hand tools, portable electric and pneumatic tools, and rigging equipment such as winches, hoists, and slings.

- Ability to comprehend and apply technical information, including mechanical and electrical drawings (blueprints, P&IDs, single-line diagrams, schematics) to troubleshooting and problem-solving situations.

- Proficiency in operating and maintaining various analytical and test equipment.

- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to coordinate technical work across job families and with outside vendors and contractors, and outstanding leadership and interpersonal skills.

Education

Required

- High School or better

Preferred

- Associates or better in Power Plant Technology or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

- Driver's License

Skills

Preferred

- Safety Policies and Procedures

- Safety Plan Creation/Maintenance

- O&M - Operations & Maintenance

- Control Room Operations

- Mechanical Maintenance

- Mechanical Aptitude

- Power Plant Operations

- Power Plant Fundamentals

- Power Generation

- Gas Turbines

- HRSG - Heat Recovery Steam Generator

- Steam Turbine

- Water Treatment

- Water Chemistry

- Hazardous Waste Management

- Piping & Instrumentation Design (P&ID)

Behaviors

Preferred

- Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them

- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group

- Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

- Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Equal Opportunity Employer

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