Lead Operations & Maintenance - Gas Plant

Reports to: Operations & Maintenance Manager | FLSA Status: Non-Exempt | Position Type: Full-Time | Office Location: Gaffney, South Carolina

About the Company

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 7 GW of utility-scale wind, solar, and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. The Broad River Facility (Broad River) is an 860-megawatt natural gas-fired simple-cycle facility located in Gaffney, SC, operating in the SERC power market with a long-term power purchase agreement with Duke Energy. The facility includes five GE 7FA.03 dual-fuel combustion turbines with once-through steam generators for summer peaking operations.

The Role

The Lead Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Technician assists in the safe and efficient operation of the power plant and supporting equipment. This position qualifies on all watch levels and performs routine rounds, readings, water/gas chemistry analysis, and equipment inspections. The base shift schedule is day shift, Monday through Friday, with occasional coverage for night shifts as directed. The role focuses on improving operations and maintenance programs, supporting outage planning, and leading the site’s safety program.

Responsibilities

• Provide operations shift coverage as required.
• Conduct daily morning meetings and interface with operations teams to improve communication, prioritize work, and organize tasks.
• Review daily reports, turnover sheets, and status boards for accuracy and integration into overall plans.
• Direct and perform routine unit/equipment performance monitoring, testing, and recommendations based on collected data.
• Support advancements in the operations qualification program.
• Communicate plant issues and keep management informed of unusual conditions, equipment damage, and job progress.
• Maintain accuracy of shift operating logs, records, and administrative documents.
• Diagnose mechanical malfunctions or failures of plant operating equipment.
• Manage the operational round system (electronic and/or hard copy) for data accuracy.
• Investigate plant problems, incidents, accidents, and provide analyses, recommendations, and follow-up plans.
• Maintain turbine history, including inspections, reports, outages, and specific problems.
• Utilize PI-Process Book to review and analyze data for performance or reliability issues.
• Direct contractors for equipment repair and assign staff points of contact.
• Improve the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), emphasizing Maximo for planning and scheduling work orders.
• Oversee inventory programs, including receiving, storing, use reporting, and replenishment.
• Integrate maintenance programs into daily activities to support continuous improvement objectives, including:
  • Inventory oversight and optimization
  • Predictive Maintenance programs
  • Routine work schedules and work orders
  • Asset Management and history tracking
• Participate in outage planning and lead weekly outage meetings.
• Provide outage project oversight, planning, and coordination.
• Assist with budget preparations and periodic reporting.
• Lead operations scheduling and coverage in support of the O&M Manager.
• Develop, review, and revise operating and maintenance procedures.
• Ensure procedural compliance in plant operations and maintenance.
• Act as a champion for continuous improvement in the plant.
• Attend offsite conferences or training classes as applicable.
• Support job responsibilities outside of scheduled work hours as needed.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Minimum of 7 years of power plant experience (or similar process) with emphasis on plant control systems and instrumentation.
• Preferred bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Extensive working knowledge of instrumentation, controls, and electrical systems.
• Previous leadership experience preferred.
• Moderate working knowledge of Maximo preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of GE Mark VI DCS preferred.
• Knowledge of industrial electricity and safety practices, precautions, and procedures.
• Ability to lead, coach, and guide employees while maintaining positive employee relations.
• Excellent writing, presentation, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and direct varied programs and tasks.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to organizational changes and meet new requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Advanced computer knowledge, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other programs.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license with acceptable MVR history.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Adhere to large amounts of standing, walking, bending, squatting, and lifting (up to 50 lbs).
• Use arms and hands to signal, grab, hold, turn, push, and pull objects, materials, controls, and tools.
• Occasionally work at heights, climb ladders, stairways, and work off platforms.
• Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses/goggles, ear plugs/muffs, masks/respirators, safety vests, gloves, and safety-toe boots.
• Able to hear plant alarms, equipment conditions, and receive oral instructions.
• Able to see to determine plant operating conditions and avoid safety hazards.

Work Environment

• Work is generally performed inside the power plant but may involve all weather conditions.
• Noise levels range from moderate to high.
• Job site contains light to heavy equipment vehicles, materials, communication equipment, and tools.
• Environment includes people standing, walking, sitting, signaling, and talking, as well as bells, whistles, and alarms.

Benefits

Onward Energy offers a comprehensive total rewards package, including market-competitive compensation, health and life insurance, and retirement savings benefits.