Plant Manager

The Empire Generating Facility is a combined-cycle power plant that utilizes two General Electric (GE) Frame 7FA.03 gas turbines and a General Electric D11 extraction-point steam turbine in a 2x1 configuration. This setup provides a total capacity of 635 megawatts. By integrating gas and steam turbines, the plant maximizes efficiency, ensuring a reliable and substantial power output. Opportunity Summary The Plant Manager provides overall leadership for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Empire Generating Facility. This role oversees operations, maintenance, safety, environmental programs, staffing, and financial performance while ensuring compliance with regulatory, contractual, and company requirements. Serving as the primary liaison with the Owner, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders, the Plant Manager drives operational excellence, workforce development, plant reliability, cost control, and continuous improvement to achieve business objectives. Your scope of responsibility as Plant Manager includes the following primary functions: * Provide overall site leadership and governance by establishing clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and ensuring policies and procedures align with operational objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. * Champion a proactive safety culture by promoting safe work practices, reinforcing safety expectations, and ensuring the protection of employees, contractors, visitors, and the public. * Ensure compliance with environmental permits, regulatory requirements, and Management of Change (MOC) processes, including the timely preparation and submission of required reports. * Direct and integrate core plant programs, including operations, maintenance, safety, chemistry, training, administration, NERC compliance, and environmental QA/QC, to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the combined-cycle facility. * Develop workforce staffing, qualification, and employee development strategies by maintaining required certifications, identifying skill gaps, providing coaching, and strengthening organizational capability, engagement, and retention. * Oversee plant performance and reliability by supporting Operations and Maintenance personnel, assisting with complex troubleshooting of combined-cycle systems, and coordinating specialized technical resources as needed. * Plan and execute scheduled and forced outages, optimizing work scope, schedules, resources, and costs to maximize plant reliability, availability, and operational performance. * Serve as the primary liaison with the Owner, regulatory agencies, and community stakeholders, fostering positive relationships and promoting the facility's reputation. * Administer commercial agreements, procurement activities, and vendor relationships, including O&M, fuel supply, power sales, interconnection, and major service contracts, while ensuring contractual compliance and supplier performance. * Manage plant financial performance by developing operating and capital budgets, monitoring expenditures, forecasting costs, and implementing cost-control practices to achieve business objectives. * Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant performance, operational efficiency, workforce effectiveness, and long-term business results. * 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 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 $175,000 to $230,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus. Leadership & Technical Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred. Equivalent power generation, industrial, or military experience may be considered in lieu of formal education. * Extensive leadership experience in natural gas-fired combined cycle power generation, including experience leading multi-disciplinary plant organizations; prior Plant Manager experience preferred. * Demonstrated success leading operations, maintenance, engineering, and technical personnel within a combined-cycle power plant. * Strong knowledge of independent power producer (IPP) operations, plant performance, commercial business practices, and power market operations. * Advanced technical knowledge of combined-cycle plant systems and maintenance practices, with the ability to support complex troubleshooting and operational decision-making. * Proven commitment to safety leadership and fostering a strong safety culture through accountability, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. * Experience managing environmental compliance programs, regulatory reporting, permit compliance, and audit preparedness. * Strong financial and business management skills, including operating and capital budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and capital planning. * Experience administering commercial agreements, major service contracts, procurement activities, and vendor relationships while ensuring contractual compliance and performance. * Demonstrated success leading operational excellence and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance plant reliability, workforce effectiveness, and financial performance. * Excellent communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills, with experience collaborating effectively with Owners, regulatory agencies, contractors, OEMs, and plant personnel. * 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.