Lead Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician

NAES; Town of Athens (NY); On-site; USD 76,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

NAES is seeking a Lead O&M Technician for New Athens Generating in Athens, NY. You will lead the operation, maintenance, and safety of a 1,080 MW gas-fired plant, directing startup/shutdown, monitoring systems, and ensuring reliability.

The role requires strong leadership, safety knowledge, and ability to mentor staff, with a rotating 12-hour shift and on-call expectations. Competitive hourly pay and bonus eligibility apply.

Qualifications

• Required high school diploma; associate degree preferred or demonstrated equivalent experience.
• Experience in power plant operations and maintenance is preferred.
• Familiar with safety standards including LOTO and confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, guidance, and safe operation of the plant on a 24/7 schedule.
• Coordinate startup/shutdown and daily operating schedules to meet generation needs.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance.
• Troubleshoot equipment issues and coordinate repairs to minimize downtime.
• Maintain logs, production data, and other required documentation.
• Train and mentor O&M personnel; communicate priorities to stakeholders.

Skills

Power plant operations

Maintenance

Troubleshooting

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in Power Plant Technology or Engineering Technology

Job description

Located approximately 30 miles south of Albany in Athens, New York, New Athens Generating is a 1,080 MW natural gas-fired combined-cycle power generation facility. The plant operates three Siemens 501G combustion turbine generators, providing efficient and reliable electricity generation to support the region's energy needs.

Opportunity Summary

The Lead Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Technician provides technical leadership and operational oversight to support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of New Athens Generating. This position directs plant operating activities, including equipment startup and shutdown, system monitoring, troubleshooting, and preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance. Serving as a lead technical resource, the Lead O&M Technician provides guidance to plant personnel, coordinates daily operations, troubleshoots equipment issues, and supports employee development, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement in plant safety and performance.

Your scope of responsibility as Lead O&M Technician will include the following primary functions:

Plant Operations, Leadership, and Safety

• Provide functional direction and technical guidance to O&M personnel, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations in accordance with established procedures.
• Coordinate plant startup, shutdown, equipment operation, and daily operating schedules to meet generation requirements and operational priorities.
• Conduct routine plant inspections to evaluate equipment condition, identify operating abnormalities, address safety hazards, and initiate corrective actions.
• Enforce established safety and environmental requirements, including equipment isolation, switching, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and safe work practices.
• Serve as the lead technical resource for assigned plant systems, supporting operational decisions, troubleshooting, and equipment reliability.

Maintenance, Reliability, and Plant Performance

• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on plant mechanical, electrical, and auxiliary equipment to support reliability and availability.
• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions, conduct operational testing, and coordinate repairs to restore equipment performance and minimize downtime.
• Monitor plant cycle chemistry, water treatment systems, and chemical inventories, making operational adjustments and coordinating replenishment and bulk chemical deliveries.
• Investigate plant incidents, equipment failures, and unusual operating conditions, documenting findings and recommending corrective and preventive actions.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, maintenance records, equipment status reports, production data, and other required documentation.
• Analyze operating and maintenance data to identify performance trends, equipment deficiencies, and opportunities for operational improvements.
• Develop, review, and update plant operating procedures, ensuring compliance with established technical standards and operational requirements.

Training, Communication, and Operational Support

• Train and mentor O&M personnel through hands-on instruction, technical guidance, qualification assessments, and structured training activities.
• Communicate equipment conditions, operational concerns, and maintenance priorities to plant management, fellow employees, contractors, and other stakeholders while representing the facility during assigned after-hours coverage.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Lead O&M Technician reports to the O&M Manager and receives general direction from plant management. This position provides operational guidance to maintenance personnel and functional direction to O&M Technicians.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Lead O&M Technician follows DuPont’s rotating 12-hour shift schedule, providing 24/7 coverage through a structured rotation of day and night shifts to ensure consistent and reliable plant operation. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $55 to $61 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications And Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required; an Associate degree in Power Plant Technology, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline is preferred. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in power plant operations and/or maintenance, preferably in a natural gas-fired combined-cycle generating facility.
• Strong technical knowledge of power generation equipment, including combustion turbines, boilers, pumps, motors, electrical distribution systems, water treatment equipment, and auxiliary plant systems.
• Demonstrated experience operating, troubleshooting, inspecting, and maintaining mechanical, electrical, and process equipment in an industrial environment.
• Thorough understanding of power plant water treatment, cycle chemistry, chemical handling, and their impact on equipment reliability and plant performance.
• Working knowledge of electrical theory, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid systems, and fundamental mechanical principles applicable to power plant operations.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, including piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, and equipment manuals.
• Proficiency in using hand and power tools, electrical and mechanical testing instruments, analytical equipment, and appropriate rigging devices.
• Familiarity with industrial safety requirements, including LOTO, confined space entry, hazardous energy control, chemical safety, and safe operation of high-energy systems.
• Proven leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide technical direction, mentor employees, and coordinate activities across multiple disciplines.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.