O&M Plant Technician Lead (Outside)

American Electric Power; Oregon (OH); On-site; USD 66,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks an experienced operations professional to lead and perform highly skilled work in gas/oil fueled power generation units, including turbines, HRSGs, transformers, and related equipment.

You will direct and develop operating procedures for abnormal conditions, troubleshoot controls systems, and ensure environmental and OSHA compliance while coordinating with contractors and support teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical field associate degree preferred.
• Minimum 7 years of power generation operations, maintenance, I&C, electrical, or mechanical experience with leadership.
• Equivalent combination of education, apprentice training, military technical training, and power generation experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate ethical behavior and strong leadership in safe, healthy practices and environmental stewardship.
• Start-up, operate, control, synchronize and shut down turbines, generators, HRSGs, pumps, exciters, transformers, and switchyard safely.
• Monitor alarms and abnormal conditions and report to supervision with recommended actions.
• Maintain boiler water chemistry and plant cycle chemistry; analyze data and adjust as needed.
• Communicate with Production Optimization Group to obtain dispatch orders and regulate unit output.
• Inspect, install, repair, and calibrate electrical, electronic, instrumentation, and plant control systems; perform interlock and circuit breaker tests.
• Perform mechanical maintenance including equipment alignment, rebuilds, and repairs of rotating equipment and valves.
• Execute predictive and preventive maintenance; analyze data and address potential equipment liabilities.
• Use work management systems and software (DCS, P-GADS, TAPIS, PI) to manage work orders and report status.

Skills

Leadership

Safety compliance

Environmental stewardship

Electrical & instrumentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in a technical field

Equivalent combination of education/training/experience

Tools

DCS

P-GADS

TAPIS

PI

Job description

Job Posting End Date: 11-03-2026. Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

Perform in a safe and efficient manner highly skilled work necessary in the operation and maintenance of gas/oil fueled electric generating unit composed of gas/steam turbines, generators, boilers/heat recovery steam generator (HRSGs), transformers, pumps, condensers, switchyard, and related auxiliary equipment. Operate the plant in startup, shutdown, steady state mode and abnormal conditions. Direct the work of outside operators, support personnel and contractors. Participate and direct others in development of operating procedures for abnormal operating conditions. Perform highly technical and skilled work in the checking, inspecting, repair, maintenance, installation and construction of plant equipment and structures. Perform and direct others in the troubleshooting of complex problems. Perform highly technical and skilled work in conjunction with troubleshooting the malfunctions and controls logic of electrical and electronic systems, digital control systems, communication systems, instruments and control systems, interlocks, computers, annunciator systems and recorders Perform technical work in chemical analyses, industrial hygiene and environmental testing and calculations related to the operating efficiency of power plant equipment. Perform and be responsible for environmental reporting and compliance with environmental and OSHA regulations. Conduct tests, surveys and layout work on plant projects. Communicate and coordinate activities affecting safe and efficient operation of plant in an often distracting and multitasking environment. Prepare and participate in development plans for lower classification employees and provides effective feedback. Provide leadership among peers and acts as exemplary representative of company in the community.

Job Description

What you will be doing:

• Demonstrate ethical behavior and show strong leadership in safe and healthy work behaviors and environmental stewardship. Adhere to proper operating practices and procedures designed to prevent injury, illness, and environmental noncompliance. Observe and comply with governmental and company environmental, safety and health regulations. Demonstrate a strong work ethic, integrity, and willingness to work and communicate effectively with all AEP employees and contractors.
• Perform and direct other personnel to start-up, operate, control, synchronize and shutdown turbines, generators, condensers, boiler/heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), boiler feed pumps, exciters, transformers, switchyard, and auxiliary equipment safely and efficiently. Operate valves, pumps and controls from the control room and remote locations as needed. Take appropriate actions in the event of abnormal plant equipment conditions and in accordance with plant guidelines for out-of-spec parameters. Monitor controlling, indicating, and recording devices, compare results with established standards and adjust as required to operating conditions. Enter and review data in the logbook.
• Monitor and respond to alarms and unusual conditions to ensure proper operation of equipment within established standards and report irregular and abnormal operating conditions to supervision.
• Perform and direct other personnel to maintain and monitor proper boiler water chemistry and other plant cycle chemistry by reviewing operational data and collecting and analyzing samples. Analyze data such as chemical test results, conductivity, pH, flow, and temperature readings, etc. and make appropriate adjustments. Direct others to make appropriate adjustments. Maintain and operate the water treatment plant.
• Communicate with corporate Production Optimization Group (POG) to obtain dispatch orders, confirm status and abnormal conditions. Regulate the unit(s) output in accordance with requirements and plant conditions.
• Perform and direct other personnel to monitor, inspect, install, remove, test, adjust, calibrate, troubleshoot and repair electrical, electronic, instrumentation and plant controls systems and components. Conduct electrical system interlock and circuit breaker trip checks to determine proper operational performance. Conduct interlock tests and performs functional tests on control systems and instrumentation. Perform control system monitoring and program modifications using a computer interface terminal. Use elementary, schematics, wiring and controls diagrams to locate, troubleshoot and repair control systems involving electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic components. Use electrical and instrumentation test equipment to troubleshoot and calibrate plant equipment.
• Perform and direct others in mechanical maintenance work including equipment alignment and rebuilds, and the use of machine shop and portable machining equipment. Perform and direct repairs of rotating equipment, valves, actuators, piping, etc.
• Perform and direct others in predictive and preventive maintenance work by inspecting, monitoring, lubricating, and testing plant equipment to determine conditions such as wear, corrosion, and deposits. Perform inspections and corrective maintenance activities on plant equipment and components. Conduct chemical tests and inspections to ensure proper operation of the plant. Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in clean and orderly fashion. Perform predictive maintenance data analyses and make recommendations toward addressing potential equipment liabilities. Assist in developing program requirements for predictive maintenance program.
• Use work management systems to initiate, retrieve, approve, and update work orders, material requests, budget and variance reporting, PM's and time entry, etc. Use various applications and software programs such as DCS, P-GADS, TAPIS, PI, etc. to extract data, analyze trends and report status to ensure plant reliability and efficiency.

What we are looking for:

• High school diploma or GED required. Associate degree in a technical field preferred. Equivalent combination of formal education, apprentice training, military technical training, and power generation experience will be considered.
• Minimum 7 years of power generation operations, maintenance, instrumentation & controls, electrical, or mechanical experience with demonstrated ability to lead work activities and provide technical guidance to others.

What you’ll get:

In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well‑being of our employees.

Where Putting the Customer First Powers Everything We Do!

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward‑thinking organization, this is the company for you!

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-008

Compensation Range:

$47.59 - $61.87

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: M – Medium Work: Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Hear about it first! Get job alerts by email. Log in to your Candidate Home Account today! If you don't have an account, you can create one.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.