Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical (IC&E) Technician

NAES•Altavista, VA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician at Altavista Power Station supports the safe and reliable operation of the facility’s instrumentation, control, and electrical systems. The 51-MW biomass-fired renewable energy facility uses two B&W boilers, a Mitsubishi steam turbine, and an Alstom generator. The technician performs calibration, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of equipment associated with biomass fuel handling, boilers, steam turbines, and emissions controls, supporting equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and compliance with safety and environmental standards. The position reports directly to the Maintenance Manager and receives general direction from plant management. It works closely with plant personnel and coordinates with contractors, vendors, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) representatives. All employees are expected to remain mentally alert, work safely, and follow NAES safety rules, procedures, warnings, and posted signs. The role involves substantial physical activity and work in industrial conditions, including dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise levels, and extreme temperatures near operating equipment. Outdoor work in all weather conditions, including high heat, is required. Personal protective equipment is mandatory and may include respiratory and fall protection; respirator fit testing may be required. Fitness for Duty participation includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening. The schedule may involve flexible shifts, extended working hours, weekends, holidays, and periodic callouts or on-call status as required by plant conditions and workload. The base pay rate is $40 to $46 per hour, with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience in instrumentation, controls, and electrical maintenance within power generation, biomass facilities, or comparable heavy industrial environments.
Hands-on knowledge of electrical equipment, including switchgear, motors, motor control centers, transformers, batteries, inverters, chargers, and generator excitation systems, with the ability to diagnose and resolve equipment faults.
Ability to install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot instrumentation and control systems, including PLCs, DCS, transmitters, control valves, analyzers, and associated field devices.
Understanding of industrial boilers, combustion controls, steam turbine systems, fuel handling equipment, and emissions control technologies.
Familiarity with PLC programming, ladder logic, control sequences, and turbine control systems, including interpretation and application of control system documentation.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, and OEM technical documentation.
Experience using CMMS, Microsoft Office, and related digital tools to manage work orders, document maintenance activities, maintain equipment records, and support reporting and communication.
Effective communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to collaborate with operations personnel, maintenance teams, contractors, and vendors.
Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license that remains in good standing.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role, including standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders over 50 feet, traversing uneven or elevated surfaces, entering and exiting equipment cabs, working in confined spaces, lifting up to 50 pounds, and working from elevated platforms or walkways.
Ability to work in dusty, noisy, fume-filled, and extreme-temperature conditions, outdoors in all weather, and to use required personal protective equipment.
Participation in the Fitness for Duty Program, including post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or a related technical field.
Equivalent technical training, military experience, or relevant industry experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
Experience with emissions controls and biomass-fired power generation.

Responsibilities

Install, calibrate, test, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain instrumentation and control systems, including PLCs, DCS, control valves, dampers, transmitters, analyzers, and biomass fuel handling controls.
Develop, modify, and optimize PLC and DCS control logic, including ladder logic and control sequences, in coordination with engineering and plant personnel.
Perform preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance on electrical equipment, including switchgear, motor control centers, transformers, motors, batteries, inverters, chargers, and generator excitation systems.
Calibrate pressure, temperature, flow, and level instrumentation and continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) using appropriate diagnostic and calibration equipment.
Troubleshoot control and monitoring systems for biomass-fired boilers, combustion controls, fuel conveyors and feed systems, steam turbines, and auxiliary equipment.
Inspect, calibrate, and functionally test turbine control systems to support reliable start-up, shutdown, and continuous operation.
Optimize boiler combustion controls, burner management systems, and emissions control equipment, including SNCR, lime injection systems, spray dryers, and particulate collection systems.
Coordinate contractors, vendors, and OEM representatives during maintenance projects, equipment repairs, and planned outages.
Maintain maintenance records, calibration data, equipment modifications, technical drawings, and work orders using the CMMS.
Promote safe work practices through hazard identification, lockout/tagout, electrical safety procedures, and compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements.
Support equipment reliability and continuous improvement through root cause analysis, troubleshooting, procedure updates, and corrective actions.
Assist with additional maintenance and operational activities as needed to support safe and reliable plant performance.