Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician

NAES•Bristol, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Wolf Hills Energy is a 250-MW natural gas-fired simple-cycle peaking facility located at 14555 Industrial Park Road in Bristol, Virginia. The plant consists of five Pratt & Whitney Twin Pac Dash-1 combustion turbine units designed to provide fast-start generation capacity during periods of peak electrical demand. Commissioned in 2001, the facility serves the regional power grid by delivering reliable, on-demand generation and is strategically positioned within southwestern Virginia’s energy infrastructure. The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician at Wolf Hills Energy ensures reliable and efficient operation of simple-cycle combustion turbines and auxiliary equipment, including air compressors, fuel gas systems, generators, and balance-of-plant equipment. They perform startup, shutdown, inspections, and minor repairs while adhering to safety protocols and maintaining accurate operational logs. By collaborating with maintenance teams and leveraging Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), the technician supports equipment reliability and optimal plant performance.

Requirements

Ability to understand procedures and instructions related to the assigned area, typically acquired through four years of high school.
Hands-on experience in power generation operations, including the operation and maintenance of combustion turbines, generators, auxiliary systems, and simple-cycle generating facilities.
Proficient in startup, shutdown, and routine mechanical operations, with the ability to troubleshoot and repair mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems at a journeyman level.
Skilled in disassembling, inspecting, and reassembling plant equipment such as pumps, valves, compressors, and combustion turbine-generator components, with experience working on microprocessor and electronic control systems.
Strong understanding of combustion turbine operating principles, plant instrumentation, electrical systems, fuel gas systems, and process control monitoring for reliable plant performance.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply technical documentation including blueprints, wiring diagrams, schematics, and operational manuals while maintaining accurate maintenance and operational records.
Knowledgeable in safety protocols and regulatory compliance, including Lock-Out-Tag-Out (LOTO), OSHA standards, and environmental regulations applicable to combustion turbine generating facilities.
Effective at coordinating with cross-functional teams, contractors, and vendors to support maintenance and operational objectives, ensuring work is completed safely and on schedule.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with clear technical communication and documentation abilities, capable of conveying complex operational or maintenance solutions effectively.
Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

Nice To Haves

An Associate degree in power plant technology, a related technical field, or engineering is preferred.
Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.

Responsibilities

Perform controlled startup and shutdown of combustion turbines and auxiliary systems, following established procedures to ensure safe and reliable operation.
Operate and monitor major plant auxiliaries, including air compressors, generator cooling units, fuel gas systems, and water treatment systems, to maintain reliable power generation.
Perform routine inspections, operational tests, and minor repairs on assigned equipment to detect and correct issues before they impact performance.
Prepare equipment for service and strictly follow established safety and operational protocols to maintain a hazard-free work environment.
Maintain comprehensive and precise operational logs, detailing equipment performance, abnormal conditions, and corrective actions taken.
Identify and immediately report irregular operating conditions, implementing corrective measures within prescribed guidelines to prevent failures or safety incidents.
Collaborate with maintenance personnel during scheduled outages or repairs to support efficient and timely completion of tasks.
Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to accurately record maintenance actions, schedule preventive tasks, and track equipment status.
Document all work performed on equipment, including spare parts used, repairs completed, and follow-up actions required, ensuring accountability and traceability.
Execute both corrective and preventive maintenance orders promptly, adhering to high-quality standards and safety procedures.
Continuously monitor operational parameters such as vibration, pressure, temperature, fluid levels, and run-time hours using gauges, meters, and automated sensors.
Conduct hands-on inspections of machinery, listening for unusual sounds and checking for wear, lubrication needs, or adjustment requirements to prevent unscheduled downtime.
Diagnose mechanical and operational failures in combustion turbines, generators, and auxiliary systems, implementing repair strategies to maintain continuous operation.
Calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair plant instrumentation and electrical circuits to ensure accurate readings and reliable system performance.
Support control system maintenance by inspecting programmable logic controllers (PLCs), updating control cards, and verifying wiring and system functionality to maintain automation reliability.
Fulfill other tasks as assigned, contributing to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of plant operations.