Control Room Operator (CRO)

Control Room Operator

The Dogwood Energy Facility, located near Pleasant Hill in Cass County, Missouri, approximately 35 miles southeast of Kansas City, operates within the northern SPP reliability council region. The plant operates a 2x1 configuration featuring Siemens Westinghouse 501F gas turbines, Toshiba HRSGs, and a Toshiba steam turbine. The facility maintains a strong reliability culture and a collaborative maintenance team environment.

Opportunity Summary

The Control Room Operator (CRO) at the Dogwood Energy Facility plays a critical role in ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of a 625 MW natural gas combined-cycle plant. This position is essential in supporting the plant's flexibility to participate in the SPP market, reinforcing its role as a key regional energy asset. The CRO continuously monitors all plant systems, addresses alarms, and upset conditions, executes startup and shutdown procedures, and ensures the plant meets generation and operational requirements while maintaining strict safety standards.

Your scope of responsibility as Control Room Operator will include the following primary functions:

• Perform the start-up, operation, and shutdown of all plant equipment, including Siemens Westinghouse 501F D2 Gas Turbines, Toshiba HRSGs, the Toshiba Steam Turbine Generator, and auxiliary systems, in compliance with safety and operational standards.
• Monitor and operate plant systems to maintain safe, efficient performance, ensuring readiness to participate in SPP market operations and respond to grid requirements.
• Actively support NAES Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance Programs, promoting a strong safety culture across all shifts.
• Adhere to all company safety and environmental rules, policies, and procedures, maintaining personal accountability.
• Maintain accurate and timely daily logs and plant records, including electrical output, steam output, emissions, fuel consumption, water usage, and heat rates.
• Review and analyze logs and records to verify equipment status, tag-out procedures, and overall plant administrative systems are functioning effectively.
• Maintain plant operating manuals, technical references, drawings, and preventive/predictive maintenance records.
• Report plant abnormalities promptly to ensure coordinated resolution of operational issues.
• Monitor plant equipment performance, respond to alarms, and coordinate with team members for troubleshooting and corrective actions.
• Assist with staff training and development initiatives to enhance operational competency and plant knowledge.
• Conduct comprehensive shift handovers, presenting plant issues and operational updates to incoming personnel.
• Maintain proficiency in operating all plant equipment and proactively monitor systems to identify potential operational issues.
• Participate in diagnosing equipment anomalies, supporting maintenance activities, and assisting in Lockout/Tagout, troubleshooting, and work request preparation during normal operations and outages.
• Control plant upset conditions by executing containment, control, and corrective measures as required.
• Review and revise plant procedures.
• Qualify at every level of the operations group.
• Take part in housekeeping items around the facility.
• Execute assigned tasks from the Operations Manager, contributing to the operational success of the plant.

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. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee's performance.

Working Relationships

The CRO reports to the Operations Manager and responds to directions from the Maintenance Manager, and Plant Manager. The CRO gives direction to other personnel as it pertains to the reliable operations of the facility.

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 CRO follows DuPont's rotating 12-hour shift schedule, providing 24/7 coverage through a structured rotation of day and night shifts. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $45 to $55 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications and Skills

• Ability to understand procedures and instructions specific to the area of assignment as would be acquired in four years of high school.
• Extensive experience in power plant operations, with a focus on control room management and system monitoring. Preferred experience in the direct operation of a combined cycle large frame gas turbine power plant.
• Strong understanding of plant equipment, systems, and operational procedures, including turbine generators, combustion turbines, and HRSGs.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of combustion and steam turbine operations, closed system steam generation, industrial safety, hazardous waste management, and the inspection and recording of plant parameters.
• Experience in water chemistry control, analysis of water conditions, water treatment facility operations, and chemical handling requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, including the ability to direct and develop team members effectively.
• Proven track record of adhering to safety and environmental regulations, with the ability to enforce compliance among team members.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information to management and team members.
• 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 serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.