Lead Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician

NAES•Rensselaer, NY

16d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Technician provides hands-on technical leadership for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of Empire Generating Facility’s combined-cycle equipment and systems. This role leads troubleshooting, inspections, preventive and corrective maintenance, and day-to-day work coordination while providing technical direction and mentoring to O&M Technicians. The Lead O&M Technician works closely with plant personnel, contractors, and vendors to support equipment availability, reliability, and overall plant performance.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required
Significant hands-on combined-cycle power generation experience, including operation and maintenance of gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, and auxiliary equipment
Demonstrated leadership ability providing technical direction, coordinating work activities, and mentoring O&M Technicians.
Journeyman-level knowledge of power plant operations and systems, including startup, shutdown, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of turbine-generators, pumps, valves, and mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
Strong technical knowledge of gas and steam turbine operations, CEMS, electrical systems, process controls, P&IDs, and plant operating parameters within a combined-cycle operating environment.
Proficiency in reading and troubleshooting from blueprints, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and other plant documentation.
Thorough understanding of plant safety practices, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), OSHA requirements, and applicable environmental standards.
Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, verbal and written communication, technical writing, and basic mathematical skills.
Proven ability to coordinate contractors and vendors while supporting maintenance planning and execution in a safe and reliable operating environment.
Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Power Plant Technology, engineering technology, or a related field preferred.
GE Frame 7FA and D11 experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and support the startup, shutdown, operation, inspection, and maintenance of Empire’s two GE Frame 7FA.03 gas turbines, HRSGs, GE D11 steam turbine, Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems, and associated balance-of-plant and auxiliary equipment.
Monitor plant operating parameters, equipment condition, alarms, trends, and performance data; identify abnormal conditions and initiate appropriate corrective actions.
Perform and coordinate equipment inspections, operating tests, preventive maintenance, minor repairs, and troubleshooting to maintain safe and reliable combined-cycle plant operation.
Diagnose mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control-system issues and coordinate repairs to minimize equipment downtime.
Provide advanced troubleshooting support for PLCs, distributed control systems (DCS), instrumentation, electrical systems, and associated wiring and components.
Ensure plant equipment is operated, maintained, and prepared for service in accordance with established procedures, safety requirements, and environmental standards.
Provide day-to-day functional direction and technical support to O&M Technicians, including mentoring team members and coordinating maintenance activities.
Prioritize and assign preventive and corrective maintenance work, inspect completed work, and help ensure maintenance activities meet safety and quality expectations.
Serve as a subject matter resource for the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), ensuring work orders, maintenance history, equipment issues, spare-parts usage, and completed work are accurately documented.
Maintain and review operating logs and plant records, ensuring abnormal events, equipment conditions, and maintenance activities are documented accurately and promptly.
Coordinate with plant personnel, contractors, and vendors to support maintenance activities, equipment availability, and overall plant reliability.
Support plant management with day-to-day operating priorities and other activities necessary to maintain safe, efficient, and reliable plant performance.