Plant Manager

The Fairview Energy Center is among the world's most advanced natural gas combined cycle power plants. It features GE's Frame 7HA.02 Gas Turbines in conjunction with a GE Steam Turbine. In 2020, the facility received recognition as Power Magazine's Top U.S. Facility. Situated approximately 8 miles north of Johnstown and 87 miles east of Pittsburgh, the plant is nestled in the Laurel Highlands, known for its hardwood forests, pristine trout streams, and thriving whitetail deer population.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Manager provides overall leadership and direction for all aspects of combined cycle plant operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, and administrative programs, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable performance of the Fairview Energy Center. Responsibilities include overseeing staffing, training, and personnel development, maintaining employee qualifications, morale, and engagement, while providing hands-on support as needed.

Serving as the primary interface with the Owner, regulatory agencies, and the surrounding Laurel Highlands community, the Plant Manager administers project and commercial agreements, manages budgets and financial performance, ensures compliance with safety, environmental, and contractual requirements, and works to enhance the plant’s and Owner’s reputation within the region and industry.

Your scope of responsibility as Plant Manager includes the following primary functions:

• Provide leadership to all plant personnel, conducting periodic reviews of policies and procedures to ensure alignment with Fairview Energy Center goals and industry standards.
• Foster a safe working environment and promote a culture of safety awareness among all plant personnel, actively ensuring the safety of others.
• Oversee the facility’s Management of Change (MOC) program to ensure that modifications to equipment, processes, and procedures—particularly those affecting the 7HA.02 combined cycle configuration—are properly reviewed, approved, documented, and communicated to affected personnel to maintain safety, compliance, and operational reliability.
• Manage the plant's Safety, Operations, Maintenance, NERC Compliance, Administrative, Training, Chemistry, and Environmental QA/QC programs to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable operation of a high-performance HA-class facility. Employ sound business principles, best-in-class techniques, and prudent utility practices to enhance plant profitability.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental permits, regulations, and agreements with neighboring landowners within the Laurel Highlands region. Prepare and submit required environmental and regulatory reports.
• Serve as the primary contact with permitting and regulatory agencies and act as a liaison to the local community, leading community relations activities to enhance the plant’s image as a responsible and engaged neighbor.
• Develop and implement staffing, training, and qualification plans for all O&M phases, aligning personnel goals with facility and Owner objectives. Verify that certification status for all affected operations and maintenance personnel is maintained current.
• Identify training objectives and employee development needs, providing coaching, career counseling, and professional development opportunities to maintain a high level of employee morale and motivation.
• Direct planned and unplanned plant outages, optimizing outage schedules to increase production efficiency, minimize costs, and enhance profitability.
• Support Operations and Maintenance personnel as required, assisting in equipment problem evaluation, and employing outside resources as necessary.
• Oversee project agreements, including the O&M Agreement, energy supply agreements, service agreements, fuel purchase agreements, power sales agreements, and interconnection agreements, ensuring facility compliance.
• Lead commercial activities at the plant level, including budgeting, procurement, and the administration of major contracts and vendor relationships.
• Control and manage plant expenditures using budgeting, forecasting, and cost accounting methods. Prepare and administer operating and capital budgets in accordance with the O&M Agreement, ensuring accurate financial reporting and cost control.
• Maintain dependable, reliable attendance.
• Carry out and complete additional special projects and tasks as needed.

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. All NAES managers and supervisors have a direct and important role in ensuring that all work is performed in a healthy and safe manner. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each Supervisor’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Plant Manager reports to the Operations Director and supervises the managers, technicians, and Plant Administrator. The Plant Manager is the single point of contact between NAES and the Owner on all matters pertaining to the operation, maintenance, and commercial management of the plant.

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 Plant Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours. This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $180,000 to $215,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

We are seeking an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, paired with a strong history of career growth and a track record of excellence in achieving results.

• A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Experience as a Plant Manager at a natural gas-fired combined cycle power generation plant is strongly preferred.
• At a minimum, prior experience in a supervisory leadership role overseeing and managing technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel at a natural gas-fired combined cycle power generation plant is required.
• Extensive knowledge of business principles and operational practices within power generating facilities, with a focus on independent power producers.
• Strong technical proficiency in plant operations and maintenance, with the ability to provide hands-on support and effective troubleshooting for operations and maintenance personnel.
• Thorough understanding of safety regulations, with a consistent focus on fostering a culture of safety and accountability among plant staff.
• Proven expertise in environmental compliance, budget development and oversight, organizational development, and contract administration.
• Solid financial acumen supported by experience in budgeting, forecasting, and applying cost control methods to manage plant expenditures.
• Driven problem solver and team builder with a successful track record of leading change initiatives to improve technical, human resource, operational, and financial outcomes.
• Effective in managing community relations and serving as a liaison with regulatory agencies and local stakeholders.
• Exceptional leadership and communication abilities, both oral and written, with skill in engaging individuals at all organizational levels.
• 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 have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.

Qualifications Skills Preferred Power Plant Operations Advanced Power Plant Fundamentals Advanced Power Generation Advanced Budgeting Advanced Environmental Awareness and Stewardship Advanced Key Performance Indicators Advanced Microsoft Office Suite Intermediate Motivating Others Advanced O&M - Operations & Maintenance Advanced Safety Policies and Procedures Management Advanced Verbal and Written Communications Advanced Safety & Compliance Standards (OSHA/NFPA/EPA) Intermediate Safety Program Development and Maintenance Intermediate Leadership Advanced Management Intermediate Combined Cycle O&M Advanced Behaviors Preferred Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them Team Player: Works well as a member of a group Education Preferred Bachelors or better. Experience Preferred We are seeking an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, paired with a strong history of career growth and a track record of excellence in achieving results. A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education. Experience as a Plant Manager at a natural gas-fired combined cycle power generation plant is strongly preferred. At a minimum, prior experience in a supervisory leadership role overseeing and managing technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel at a natural gas-fired combined cycle power generation plant is required. Extensive knowledge of business principles and operational practices within power generating facilities, with a focus on independent power producers. Strong technical proficiency in plant operations and maintenance, with the ability to provide hands-on support and effective troubleshooting for operations and maintenance personnel. Thorough understanding of safety regulations, with a consistent focus on fostering a culture of safety and accountability among plant staff. Proven expertise in environmental compliance, budget development and oversight, organizational development, and contract administration. Solid financial acumen supported by experience in budgeting, forecasting, and applying cost control methods to manage plant expenditures. Driven problem solver and team builder with a successful track record of leading change initiatives to improve technical, human resource, operational, and financial outcomes. Effective in managing community relations and serving as a liaison with regulatory agencies and local stakeholders. Exceptional leadership and communication abilities, both oral and written, with skill in engaging individuals at all organizational levels. Equal Opportunity Employer
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