Operations & Maintenance Technician - Trainee

Talen Energy; Byesville (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Talen Energy is seeking a skilled plant operator to join our combined cycle facility in Byesville, OH. You will monitor remote DCS/PLC controls, perform rounds, logs, and chemistry checks, and execute start-up/shutdowns per procedures.

Ideal candidates have 2–4 years in power plant operations, can document maintenance actions, and collaborate with maintenance and management to ensure safe, reliable operations.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of power plant operations or related industry.
• Ability to make competent decisions in emergencies.
• Able to write operating procedures and work requests.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Able to read mechanical drawings and P&IDs.
• 2–4 years related experience or training preferred.
• Familiarity with GE Mark VIe DCS is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain a combined cycle generating facility with minimal guidance.
• Use remote DCS and PLCs to control plant operations.
• Make operating decisions per safety, environmental, and regulatory rules.
• Conduct equipment rounds, logs, and water chemistry analyses.
• Record data from meters and gauges to verify conditions.
• Run start-up, shutdown, and normal/ emergency operations.
• Support compliance with administrative, operational, NERC, HSE programs.
• Maintain CMMS records and document maintenance actions.

Skills

Power plant ops

Emergency decisions

Documentation

Communication

MS Office

P&ID reading

GE Mark VIe DCS

Education

High School diploma

Associate degree/technical

Power/controls background

Tools

CMMS

DCS/PLC systems

Drawings interpretation

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains a combined cycle generating facility and all associated auxiliary and support equipment with minimal guidance or assistance.
• Proficient at operating the plant via a remote distributed control system (DCS) and programmable logic controllers (PLC).
• This position requires making operating decisions based on plant, safety, and environmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and using good judgment based on available operating data.
• Strictly adheres to all safety and environmental rules and regulations to protect employees and public safety.
• Conducts equipment rounds, logs, checklists, and water chemistry analysis to ensure equipment and systems are operating at peak performance.
• Reads meters, gauges, or automatic devices to record data such as pressures, temperatures, fluid levels, vibration, hours of operation, pressure, and fluid levels, water chemistry to verify operating conditions.
• Operate the facility during start-up, shutdown, normal and emergency conditions in accordance with operating procedures and instructions.
• Support activities to maintain compliance with all administrative, operational, NERC, HSE and other regulatory programs and procedures.
• Fully supports the use of a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) by demonstrating proficiency in using the system and entering data consistent with the facility maintenance philosophy.
• Records equipment discrepancies in detail on work orders and documents maintenance actions taken.
• Executes corrective and preventive maintenance work orders in a timely and high-quality manner.
• Shows diligence in documenting spare parts usage and re-ordering.
• Works closely with water treatment services provider in optimizing steam cycle chemistry performance.
• Responsible for ordering chemicals through established vendors.
• Maintains equipment by tightening fittings, replacing valve packing, gaskets, valves, gauges, etc. and cleaning, replacing, oiling, and lubricating other component parts and equipment as required.
• Opens and closes valves and breakers as required for proper system operation and mechanical and electrical isolation.
• Performs capital project and/or major program responsibilities as assigned by the Lead OMT or Operations Manager.
• Assists other OMTs in repairing and maintaining plant equipment.
• Assists in performing CEMS calibrations and gas bottle change outs.
• Perform general housekeeping and continuous improvement of the appearance of the facility.
• Maintain the cleanliness of all areas of the plant and control room, or other duties as assigned.
• Ensure all accidents, incidents, near misses, and potential hazards are immediately reported to Facility Management.
• Keeps the Lead OMT and/or Facility Management fully informed of unusual plant conditions and current job progress as it relates to facility operations when assigned on-shift.
• Works with Facility Management in managing the facility’s spare parts inventory, performing audits as needed.
• Supports outage planning and scheduling involvement as needed.
• Assist with development of Operations and Maintenance procedures as assigned.
• Supports the Operator training and qualification program.
• Ability to qualify as a Control Room Operator and Auxiliary Operator in accordance with established training procedures.
• Assist with performing Root Cause Analysis of failures.
• May operate plant equipment such manlift and forklift.
• Reads, understands, and complies with all regulatory procedures, permits and safety programs.
• Will support an atmosphere of employee involvement, trust, and motivation through employee mentoring, participation, empowerment, collaboration, and training.
• Foster a team culture which is flexible and adaptable to change, striving for continuous improvement in the accomplishment of work.

Required Skills / Knowledge

• Demonstrates knowledge of power plant operations or related industry.
• Demonstrates the ability to make competent decisions in emergency situations.
• Capable of writing operating procedures, work requests, and written records.
• Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel and Word.
• Demonstrates the ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical one-lines, logic drawings, technical manuals, and P&IDs.
• Experience 2 to 4 years related or industry experience and/or training; or a combination of experience and/or education preferred.
• Knowledge of advanced technology gas turbines, steam turbines, single shaft arrangements and commissioning experience is preferred but not required.
• Power Plant Control Room Operator experience is a plus.
• Experience with GE Mark VIe DCS is a plus.

Education Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate’s degree (AA) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school is preferred.
• Education in power generation, mechanical maintenance, electrical maintenance or instrument and controls is a plus.
• Possession of a State of Ohio (or any state) Stationary Steam Engineer’s License is a plus.
• Instrumentation and control and/or a mechanical background is a plus.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to do walking, reaching, climbing, and lifting (up to 50 pounds).
• Must be willing to work a 12-hour rotating shift and be available to work for call-ins and work coverage as needed to support reliable operation of the facility.
• Ability to work at heights and in confined spaces.

Talen is a leading independent power producer and energy infrastructure company dedicated to powering the future. We own, operate, and optimize high-quality power infrastructure across the United States. Our generation portfolio includes 15 generation locations capable of producing approximately 15.6 GW of power. Talen’s fleet generates electricity using a diverse mix of fuels, ranging from zero-carbon nuclear energy—including the Susquehanna nuclear facility—to natural gas, coal, and oil. We produce and sell electricity, capacity, and ancillary services into wholesale power markets across the United States, with generation assets located in key power markets. Our team is committed to generating power safely and reliably and delivering the most value per megawatt produced. Talen is also powering the digital infrastructure revolution. We are well-positioned to capture this growing industry, as artificial intelligence data centers increasingly demand more reliable, clean power. We have an inclusive, diverse, respectful, and collaborative workplace, and a strong commitment to innovation, teamwork, and integrity. Talen is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Talen Energy is committed to providing a safe, drug and alcohol-free workplace. Consistent with applicable law and any collective bargaining agreements, positions may be subject to pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. Talen Energy is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to diversity and the strength it brings to the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, disability, perceived disability, or any other protected characteristic as may be defined by applicable law. For more information visit www.talenenergy.com.