Plant Manager

NAES•Johnstown, PA

19d•$180,000 - $215,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Fairview Energy Center is among the world's most advanced natural gas combined cycle power plants. It features GE's Frame 7HA.02 Gas Turbines in conjunction with a GE Steam Turbine. In 2020, the facility received recognition as Power Magazine's Top U.S. Facility. Situated approximately 8 miles north of Johnstown and 87 miles east of Pittsburgh, the plant is nestled in the Laurel Highlands, known for its hardwood forests, pristine trout streams, and thriving whitetail deer population. Opportunity Summary The Plant Manager provides overall leadership and direction for all aspects of combined cycle plant operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, and administrative programs, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance of the Fairview Energy Center. Responsibilities include overseeing staffing, training, and personnel development, maintaining employee qualifications, morale, and engagement, while providing hands-on support as needed. Serving as the primary interface with the Owner, regulatory agencies, and the surrounding Laurel Highlands community, the Plant Manager administers project and commercial agreements, manages budgets and financial performance, ensures compliance with safety, environmental, and contractual requirements, and works to enhance the plant’s and Owner’s reputation within the region and industry. Your scope of responsibility as Plant Manager includes the following primary functions:

Requirements

Extensive experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, paired with a strong history of career growth and a track record of excellence in achieving results.
A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
Experience as a Plant Manager at a natural gas-fired combined cycle power generation plant is strongly preferred.
At a minimum, prior experience in a supervisory leadership role overseeing and managing technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel at a natural gas-fired combined cycle power generation plant is required.
Extensive knowledge of business principles and operational practices within power generating facilities, with a focus on independent power producers.
Strong technical proficiency in plant operations and maintenance, with the ability to provide hands-on support and effective troubleshooting for operations and maintenance personnel.
Thorough understanding of safety regulations, with a consistent focus on fostering a culture of safety and accountability among plant staff.
Proven expertise in environmental compliance, budget development and oversight, organizational development, and contract administration.
Solid financial acumen supported by experience in budgeting, forecasting, and applying cost control methods to manage plant expenditures.
Driven problem solver and team builder with a successful track record of leading change initiatives to improve technical, human resource, operational, and financial outcomes.
Effective in managing community relations and serving as a liaison with regulatory agencies and local stakeholders.
Exceptional leadership and communication abilities, both oral and written, with skill in engaging individuals at all organizational levels.
Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

Responsibilities

Provide leadership to all plant personnel, conducting periodic reviews of policies and procedures to ensure alignment with Fairview Energy Center goals and industry standards.
Foster a safe working environment and promote a culture of safety awareness among all plant personnel, actively ensuring the safety of others.
Oversee the facility’s Management of Change (MOC) program to ensure that modifications to equipment, processes, and procedures—particularly those affecting the 7HA.02 combined cycle configuration—are properly reviewed, approved, documented, and communicated to affected personnel to maintain safety, compliance, and operational reliability.
Manage the plant's Safety, Operations, Maintenance, NERC Compliance, Administrative, Training, Chemistry, and Environmental QA/QC programs to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation of a high-performance HA-class facility.
Employ sound business principles, best-in-class techniques, and prudent utility practices to enhance plant profitability.
Ensure compliance with applicable environmental permits, regulations, and agreements with neighboring landowners within the Laurel Highlands region.
Prepare and submit required environmental and regulatory reports.
Serve as the primary contact with permitting and regulatory agencies and act as a liaison to the local community, leading community relations activities to enhance the plant’s image as a responsible and engaged neighbor.
Develop and implement staffing, training, and qualification plans for all O&M phases, aligning personnel goals with facility and Owner objectives.
Verify that certification status for all affected operations and maintenance personnel is maintained current.
Identify training objectives and employee development needs, providing coaching, career counseling, and professional development opportunities to maintain a high level of employee morale and motivation.
Direct planned and unplanned plant outages, optimizing outage schedules to increase production efficiency, minimize costs, and enhance profitability.
Support Operations and Maintenance personnel as required, assisting in equipment problem evaluation, and employing outside resources as necessary.
Oversee project agreements, including the O&M Agreement, energy supply agreements, service agreements, fuel purchase agreements, power sales agreements, and interconnection agreements, ensuring facility compliance.
Lead commercial activities at the plant level, including budgeting, procurement, and the administration of major contracts and vendor relationships.
Control and manage plant expenditures using budgeting, forecasting, and cost accounting methods.
Prepare and administer operating and capital budgets in accordance with the O&M Agreement, ensuring accurate financial reporting and cost control.
Maintain dependable, reliable attendance.
Carry out and complete additional special projects and tasks as needed.