Plant Manager

NAES • Johnstown, PA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

NAES is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead plant operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, financial performance, and workforce development at Fairview Energy Center. Fairview Energy Center is one of the world’s most advanced natural gas combined cycle power plants, featuring GE 7HA.02 gas turbines integrated with a GE steam turbine in a highly efficient combined cycle configuration. Recognized by Power Magazine as a Top U.S. Facility in 2020, the plant delivers exceptional reliability, operational performance, and grid support across the region. Located near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the scenic Laurel Highlands, the facility offers access to outdoor recreation, strong local communities, and the amenities of the greater Pittsburgh region. This role offers the opportunity to lead a premier HA-class combined cycle facility where operational leadership and technical expertise directly support plant reliability and performance. The Plant Manager serves as the senior site leader and primary representative to the Owner, contractors, regulatory agencies, and local stakeholders. This position is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in high-performance environments and is committed to operational excellence, accountability, and team development.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, industry experience, or military experience.
• Prior experience serving in a Plant Manager or other leadership role overseeing technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel within a gas turbine-based power generation facility.
• Strong technical knowledge of combined cycle plant operations and maintenance practices, including troubleshooting support and operational leadership.
• Demonstrated understanding of power generation business practices, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and operational performance management.
• Experience managing environmental compliance programs, regulatory obligations, and plant safety initiatives.
• Proven experience overseeing contractor relationships, commercial agreements, and major service agreements.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills with the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead organizational improvement initiatives and drive operational, workforce, and financial performance improvements.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with GE 7HA.02 gas turbine technology or other advanced HA-class combined cycle systems.
• Familiarity with independent power producer (IPP) operations and NERC compliance programs.
• Experience leading high-performance or award-winning generation facilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership for a world-class HA-class combined cycle facility, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations aligned with company objectives and industry best practices.
• Drive operational excellence initiatives focused on reliability, availability, operational readiness, and continuous improvement across all plant systems.
• Lead planned and forced outage activities, optimizing schedules, work scope, resources, and plant performance while minimizing operational impacts and controlling costs.
• Support Operations and Maintenance personnel through active leadership, technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and coordination of OEM and third-party technical resources.
• Champion a proactive safety culture built on accountability, engagement, and safe execution of all plant activities.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits, NERC obligations, regulatory requirements, and applicable industry standards through effective program oversight and timely reporting.
• Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process to ensure modifications to equipment, controls, procedures, and systems are safely reviewed, documented, communicated, and implemented.
• Oversee site Safety, Environmental, Chemistry, QA/QC, Administrative, Training, and Compliance programs to support safe and efficient combined cycle operations.
• Lead and develop plant personnel by fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and operational excellence across all plant functions.
• Develop and maintain staffing, training, qualification, and workforce readiness programs that support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.
• Support employee engagement and long-term organizational performance through coaching, professional development, performance feedback, and continuous improvement initiative.
• Lead plant-level budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and cost-control activities while maintaining strong financial discipline and accurate reporting.
• Oversee commercial, fuel supply, service, power sales, and interconnection agreements to ensure compliance and effective contractor and vendor performance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact between NAES and the Owner regarding plant operations, maintenance, commercial matters, and overall facility performance.
• Maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies, contractors, community stakeholders, and industry partners while promoting the facility’s reputation as a safe, reliable, and responsible member of the Laurel Highlands community.
• Perform additional duties and special assignments to support safe, reliable plant operations and Owner objectives.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package including annual performance bonus eligibility
• Opportunities for career growth and advancement across NAES operations nationwide

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager