Instrumentation And Controls (I&C) Technician

The New Castle Generating Station, situated on a 270-acre site four miles south of New Castle, PA along the Beaver River, has undergone a significant transformation from a coal plant to a natural gas facility in 2016, breathing new life into its operations and contributing to the region's energy landscape. Equipped with three natural gas-fired steam boilers, the plant boasts a total potential MW output of 328. The plant is notable for its utilization of B&W Boilers and Westinghouse Steam Turbine Generators, controlled by an ABB DCS system.
Opportunity Summary
The Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Technician plays a vital role in supporting the fossil generating plant's mission to achieve maximum unit availability in a safe, efficient, and cost-effective manner while adhering to all environmental and regulatory standards. This skilled professional is instrumental in diagnosing and resolving intricate problems within instrument and control systems, spanning electronic, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and distributed control systems. The I&C Technician ensures the precision and compliance of instruments and Controls, conducts maintenance, and employs test equipment and hand tools for effective troubleshooting, contributing to a comprehensive approach to plant operations, safety, and quality standards.
Primary Job Duties

• Diagnose, isolate, and resolve problems with the operation of the instrument and control systems, involving electronic, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and complex distributed control systems.
• Verify the accuracy of the operation and calibration of instruments and Controls to ensure they meet Company and industry standards, adjusting, and replacing defective equipment.
• Perform maintenance of instruments and Controls, adhering to service schedules and maintaining service records.
• Use test equipment and hand tools (such as drills and screwdrivers) to troubleshoot and maintain devices and systems for the plant.
• Perform repairs and calibrations on continuous emissions monitoring system (CEMS) equipment, ensuring the maintenance of test gas documentation. Stay current with the ESC/CEM for UNIX System, including the Data Acquisition and Handling System (DAHS) software, by regularly updating and installing software supplements.
• Conduct troubleshooting and analysis on Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and turbine control equipment.
• Perform changes or additions to personal computers and computer programs using various PLC, data loggers, DCS, and performance monitoring systems.
• Analyze complex test and operating data, prepare charts and graphs, and report on results as assigned.
• Tune and modify complex control systems for boilers, turbines, generators, and other combustion controls.
• Interface with manufacturers' representatives, production crew, and other engineering personnel during installation and start-ups of new systems.
• Perform any task necessary for continuity or restoration of service in an emergency.
• Communicate the condition of equipment and the status of jobs to group leaders, supervision, operations, and other craft personnel and outside service representatives.
• Read and interpret instruction manuals, blueprints, and control system drawings, and apply knowledge to daily tasks.
• Complete all written and electronic records (e.g., work orders, calibration sheets, material requests) required to document the work in progress and as it is completed.
• Continually update knowledge of plant systems and instrumentation.
• Make decisions about the best way to repair equipment and determine the necessary resources (tools, time, equipment).
• Coordinate work activities with other crafts/contractors.
• Work with materials/chemicals (such as asbestos, silica, fiberglass, ammonia, hydrazine, lead, chlorine, PVC, acetone, PCBs, mercury), as well as oil, grease, etc.
• Ensure that procedures are issued and controlled as required by the QA/QC plan.
• Maintain Certification as a Visible Emissions Evaluator (Federal Reference Method 9) - if required.
• Maintain and enhance the safety of the I&C shop by implementing the Safety Plan and the goals established for the department, e.g., Job Safety Awareness forms, Safety Observations, Safety Meetings, etc.

NAES Safe
Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee's performance.
Working Relationships
The I&C Technician reports to the Maintenance Manager, works in cooperation with the operating utility on matters pertaining to the daily operation of the plant and responds to direction from the Plant Manager in the absence of the Maintenance Manager.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Physical requirements encompass standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds. Some duties necessitate the use of protective equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves, high-voltage protective equipment, arc flash suits, etc. Work with hazardous materials may be required, and there are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.
In the power plant environment, tasks include working outdoors in all climates and temperatures, working in and around rotating equipment, high-voltage electrical equipment, high-noise areas, and at high elevations. There may be work in confined spaces, some requiring the use of respiratory protective equipment. Work may be required in conditions where hazardous materials and/or toxic fumes could be present, with exposure to areas of high heat, steam, combustible gases, and other conditions normally encountered in an operating generation facility
Fitness for Duty
All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening.
Work Schedule
Regular work schedule is from Monday to Friday during regular day shift hours. Position requires extended working hours and varied shifts with the possibility of weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload, and plant conditions. "On call" status will periodically be required.
Compensation
Starting compensation will range $41 to $58 per hour.
Job Qualifications

• High school diploma with a demonstrated ability to understand procedures and instructions specific to the assigned area, typically acquired over four years of high school education.
• Must have had formal training in electronics, instrumentation, engineering, or a related technical discipline, or 2 years of military experience in electronics repair and calibration substituted for formal training.
• Extensive experience with industrial Instrument & Control maintenance experience in repair, inspection, calibration, and troubleshooting of related power plant equipment is advantageous.
• Skilled in troubleshooting DCS, PLCs, and turbine control equipment for optimal functionality and reliability, with proficiency in making changes to personal computers and programs using various PLCs, data loggers, DCS, and performance monitoring systems, showcasing comprehensive control equipment and software integration expertise.
• Complete understanding of plant operations and equipment required, including knowledge of regulatory and plant-specific codes and standards.
• Ability to comprehend technical manuals, classroom materials, and electrical and mechanical drawings, and relate these to actual equipment.
• Proficiency in operating test equipment such as multi-meters, loop calibrators, and frequency devices. Ability to use hand tools such as wrenches, screwdrivers, and small electrical hand tools.
• Leadership qualities and the ability to interface with multiple disciplines are required.
• Proficient in using a PC and learning associated software, encompassing databases, spreadsheets, and operating systems, with expertise in MS Office suite applications, particularly Excel, and demonstrated knowledge or aptitude to learn the D365 workflow computer application.
• Understanding of Reliability-Based Maintenance and Root Cause Analysis is required.
• Excellent communication skills, including both written and verbal proficiency.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Drivers License at all times.

About NAES
NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.
NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, 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 basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.