Lead One of the Most Advanced Combined Cycle Facilities in the World
Fairview Energy Center is one of the world’s most advanced natural gas combined cycle power plants, featuring GE 7HA.02 gas turbines integrated with a GE steam turbine in a highly efficient combined cycle configuration. Recognized by Power Magazine as a Top U.S. Facility in 2020, the plant delivers exceptional reliability, operational performance, and grid support across the region.
Located near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the scenic Laurel Highlands, the facility offers access to outdoor recreation, strong local communities, and the amenities of the greater Pittsburgh region.
NAES is seeking an experienced Plant Manager to lead plant operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, financial performance, and workforce development at Fairview Energy Center. This role offers the opportunity to lead a premier HA-class combined cycle facility where operational leadership and technical expertise directly support plant reliability and performance.
The Plant Manager serves as the senior site leader and primary representative to the Owner, contractors, regulatory agencies, and local stakeholders. This position is ideal for a hands-on leader who thrives in high-performance environments and is committed to operational excellence, accountability, and team development.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Reliability
- Provide overall leadership for a world-class HA-class combined cycle facility, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations aligned with company objectives and industry best practices.
- Drive operational excellence initiatives focused on reliability, availability, operational readiness, and continuous improvement across all plant systems.
- Lead planned and forced outage activities, optimizing schedules, work scope, resources, and plant performance while minimizing operational impacts and controlling costs.
- Support Operations and Maintenance personnel through active leadership, technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and coordination of OEM and third-party technical resources.
Safety, Compliance & Technical Programs
- Champion a proactive safety culture built on accountability, engagement, and safe execution of all plant activities.
- Ensure compliance with environmental permits, NERC obligations, regulatory requirements, and applicable industry standards through effective program oversight and timely reporting.
- Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process to ensure modifications to equipment, controls, procedures, and systems are safely reviewed, documented, communicated, and implemented.
- Oversee site Safety, Environmental, Chemistry, QA/QC, Administrative, Training, and Compliance programs to support safe and efficient combined cycle operations.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead and develop plant personnel by fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, professionalism, and operational excellence across all plant functions.
- Develop and maintain staffing, training, qualification, and workforce readiness programs that support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.
- Support employee engagement and long-term organizational performance through coaching, professional development, performance feedback, and continuous improvement initiative
Commercial & Stakeholder Management
- Lead plant-level budgeting, forecasting, procurement, and cost-control activities while maintaining strong financial discipline and accurate reporting.
- Oversee commercial, fuel supply, service, power sales, and interconnection agreements to ensure compliance and effective contractor and vendor performance.
- Serve as the primary point of contact between NAES and the Owner regarding plant operations, maintenance, commercial matters, and overall facility performance.
- Maintain strong relationships with regulatory agencies, contractors, community stakeholders, and industry partners while promoting the facility’s reputation as a safe, reliable, and responsible member of the Laurel Highlands community.
Perform additional duties and special assignments to support safe, reliable plant operations and Owner objectives.
Why Join NAES
- Lead one of the most advanced combined cycle power plants in the world
- Operate within a high-performance environment focused on operational excellence and reliability
- Work with experienced operations and maintenance professionals at an award-winning facility
- Join a respected industry leader with a broad portfolio of power generation assets across North America
- Competitive compensation package including annual performance bonus eligibility
- Opportunities for career growth and advancement across NAES operations nationwide
- Enjoy the lifestyle and outdoor recreation opportunities offered by Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands region
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 a strong operational leader with demonstrated experience leading combined cycle power generation facilities and developing high-performing teams in demanding operating environments.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, industry experience, or military experience.
- Prior experience serving in a Plant Manager or other leadership role overseeing technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel within a gas turbine-based power generation facility.
- Strong technical knowledge of combined cycle plant operations and maintenance practices, including troubleshooting support and operational leadership.
- Demonstrated understanding of power generation business practices, budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and operational performance management.
- Experience managing environmental compliance programs, regulatory obligations, and plant safety initiatives.
- Proven experience overseeing contractor relationships, commercial agreements, and major service agreements.
- Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and decision-making skills with the ability to engage effectively across all organizational levels.
- Demonstrated ability to lead organizational improvement initiatives and drive operational, workforce, and financial performance improvements.
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with GE 7HA.02 gas turbine technology or other advanced HA-class combined cycle systems.
- Familiarity with independent power producer (IPP) operations and NERC compliance programs.
- Experience leading high-performance or award-winning generation facilities.
Working Relationships
The Plant Manager reports directly to the Operations Director and supervises plant personnel and administrative staff. This position serves as the primary interface between NAES and the Owner for all matters related to plant operations, maintenance, and commercial management.
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 will also be required.
Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.
Physical Requirements & 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.
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.
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.