Head Operator

Direct Energy Business; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

NRG Energy is seeking a Plant Operator to maintain megawatt generation demands while ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally sound operation. You will coordinate Plant Operators and support a safe work environment in a dynamic power plant setting.

The role requires adapting to shift work, rigorous safety standards, and knowledge of power plant operations to protect personnel and equipment. Successful candidates will have relevant training and licensing commitments.

Qualifications

• High School diploma, GED or equivalent knowledge of English, mathematics, and grammar.
• Completion of Plant Operator Training Program with on-the-job training (3 years).
• Completion of Control Room Operations Training Program or demonstrated Control Board Operations (Gas Plants).

Responsibilities

• Recognizes safety hazards and follows safety guidelines for personal protection and others.
• Demonstrates leadership capabilities and acts as a positive role model.
• Provide skill enhancement and on-the-job training to Plant Operators.
• Know environmental rules and regulations and apply them to work.
• Oversee safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally sound operation of equipment.
• Operate from the Control Room, boilers, main turbines, generators and plant systems during normal and emergency operation.

Skills

Leadership

Safety awareness

Team coordination

On-the-job training

Problem solving

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Plant Operator Training Program

Control Room Operations Training

Tools

Pi Operating System

Job description

Date: Oct 12, 2026

Location:

HOUSTON, TX, US, 77064

Company: NRG

Welcome to the intersection of energy and home services. At NRG, we’re all about propelling the next generation of leaders forward. We are driven by our passion to create a smarter, cleaner and more connected future. We deliver innovative solutions that make our customers’ lives easier—helping them power, protect, and intelligently manage their homes and businesses. To do this, we need creative and talented people to join our company.

We offer a dynamic work environment and a unified and inclusive culture. NRG fosters a strong sense of belonging that leads to better collaboration and business performance. Our company programs are designed to help employees develop the skills they need for success now and in the future. In everything we do, we aim to champion our employees and bring value to our customers, investors and society.

More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, LinkedIn, and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.

Job Summary

Maintain megawatt generation demands of our Qualified Scheduling Entity (QSE) while operating the unit in a safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally sound manner. Coordinates work efforts of Plant Operators to ensure all procedures are performed in a safe and efficient manner, to protect the safety of personnel and equipment.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities

• Recognizes safety hazards and follows safety guidelines for personal protection, protection of fellow workers and the protection of the public.
• Demonstrates leadership capabilities and acts as a positive role model, accepts responsibility for crew activities.
• Assist in providing skill enhancement training to other personnel, and on-the-job training to Plant Operators.
• Knowledgeable of environmental rules and regulations, and effectively apply them to all work situations.
• Oversee the safe, efficient, reliable and environmentally sound operation of equipment.
• Properly operate from the Control Room, boilers, main turbines, generators, plant auxiliary equipment, and systems during normal and emergency operation controlling flow and processing of electrical energy.

Working Conditions

Normal office environmental and/or power plant environment out-of-doors work environment. Out-of-doors environment at generating plant work locations includes:

• Position requires extended working hours and varied shifts with weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload and plant conditions.
• Work in and around rotating equipment, high voltage electrical equipment, high noise areas and elevations up to 250 feet.
• Performance of duties requires response to calls 24 hours/day, seven days/week and working irregular shifts.
• Emergency situations will require the use of a respirator and climbing stairs to reach safety shelters.
• Establish facial hair in the sealing area of a respirator is not permitted.
• Contact lenses are not permitted except for specific medical reasons.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma, GED or equivalent knowledge of English, mathematics, and grammar.
• Successful completion of Plant Operator Training Program to include on-the-job training or equivalent experience and skill to include on-the-job training (3 years).
• Successful completion of Control Room Operations Training Program or successful demonstration of Control Board Operations through on-the-job training (Gas Plants)
• Must have a City of Houston First Grade Stationary Engineers License – or commit to achieve this license within 12 months of transition to the role.

Additional Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of steam power plant system operations and basic power plant principles to daily decision making and work tasks.
• Knowledge of and ability to operate various switches and valves and the effect each has on the total operation.
• Ability to work without supervision inspection while carrying out duties.
• Ability to perform multiple task or assignments at the same time.
• Ability to use a personal computer and associated software.
• Ability to troubleshoot problems and make sound decisions to resolve them based on skill area knowledge of plant operations and equipment.
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment to direct activities of others and provide job instructions. Influences others toward action or a particular point of view.
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and listening ability to communicate effectively with management, co-workers, clients, vendors, equipment, plant, or system conditions.
• Ability to use addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to perform flow, pressure and meter calculation.
• Ability to operate computer systems to receive, analyze, comprehend and input data.
• Ability to learn mechanical & electrical controls, equipment and power plant equipment operation.
• Ability to monitor, record, and analyze data available through the use of shift logs, instruments, recording charts, annunciator systems and other monitoring devices.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematic diagrams, procedures and technical manuals.
• Ability to assist others in performance testing.
• Ability to Tag Out/Lock Out equipment per NRG’s Tag Out/Lock Out procedure.
• Ability to implement Plant Emergency Procedures as needed.
• Knowledge of Pi Operating System

Physical Requirements

• Power Plant Environment-Work both inside and outside in all temperatures and climate conditions in accordance with Heat Stress procedures. Around large rotating equipment energized electrical equipment in high noise areas, and/or in confined places, on elevations in excess of 250 feet, or from platforms at heights of 5 feet or greater. Climb stairways, ladders, and work from aerial devices.
• Must be prepared to work irregular or rotating shifts and respond to emergency callout 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
• Ability to work in mentally stressful environments: must be able to react to crises where immediate action is required to correct or curtail potentially damaging or hazardous situations.
• Work with and around hazardous and non-hazardous materials (reference the waste management guidance manual).
• Daily work expectation requires ability to perform tasks by walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, crouching, squatting, twisting, pushing, pulling, shoveling, climbing, and working with hand tools (up to 25 pounds) in position above and below head, and extended from body to complete repairs.
• Lift, carry, position and use tools and/or equipment (weighing up to 50 lbs.) in awkward positions, swing various weights of sledgehammers, stoop and bend to reach valves, pull on chain-falls or come-a-longs.
• Ability to twist the body and neck while driving company vehicles or operating company equipment.
• Performance of duties may cause frequent jarring of the body.
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required i.e.…steel-toed boots, respirators, goggles, safety glasses etc.
• Have ability to discern and respond to verbal and auditory signals.
• Ability to discern assorted colors.

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Protected Veteran Status/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

EEO is the Law Poster (The poster can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf)

Official description on file with Talent.

We support the use of AI tools to help you prepare for your interview (e.g., practicing responses, researching the role, or refining your resume). However, during interviews and assessments, we expect responses to reflect your own thinking, experience, and communication. Use of AI to generate or read answers in real time, complete assessments, or misrepresent your qualifications is not permitted and may impact your candidacy.

Nearest Major Market: Houston