Technical Assistant - Power

Smurfit Westrock plc; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A manufacturing company is seeking a motivated Technical Assistant for its Power & Recovery Department in New York. This role involves developing training programs, analyzing KPIs, and providing leadership during weekend operations. Candidates should have a Bachelor's in Engineering or equivalent experience, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to work in industrial environments. Personal Protective Equipment is mandatory, and candidates will undergo drug screening post-offer.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in industrial power generation or utilities preferred.
• Ability to respond to issues after hours and on weekends.
• Willingness to wear PPE in operational areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage training programs for Power Department personnel.
• Analyze operational KPIs to improve efficiency and reliability.
• Participate in weekend duty rotation and provide leadership coverage.
• Assist in the design and commissioning of new equipment.
• Plan and execute department outages safely and efficiently.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Computer proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent experience

Job description

Overview

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Technical Assistant to join the Power & Recovery Department at the Fernandina Beach Mill. This role is critical in supporting operational excellence, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring the effective training and development of department personnel. The Technical Assistant will also collaborate closely with the Engineering team on new projects and provide leadership coverage during weekend operations as part of the weekend duty team.

This position requires a strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship, with the expectation to lead by example and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement in these areas.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive training program for Power Department personnel to ensure safety, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Collect, analyze, and report on daily operational Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to support data-driven decision-making for improving efficiency and reliability across the Power department.
• Participate in the weekend duty rotation, providing oversight and support for Power & Recovery operations.
• Serve as acting Assistant Superintendent when needed, ensuring continuity of leadership and operations.
• Assist in the design, installation, commissioning, and startup of new equipment and systems in collaboration with the Engineering Department.
• Participate in the planning and execution of department outages, ensuring safe, efficient, and timely completion of all scheduled work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or equivalent Power and Utility experience.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial power generation, utilities, or a related field is preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills is required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer skills/ability to develop proficiency is required.
• Must be able to work weekends as part of a rotating schedule.
• Respond to department issues after hours, weekends, holidays as required.
• This position requires work from the office as well as in operational areas of a fully integrated Pulp and Paper Mill with exposure to heat, noise, and other industrial hazards.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required and must be worn at all times in designated areas. This includes, but is not limited to: safety shoes, hard hat, gloves, hearing protection, and safety glasses.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.