The Ellwood Power Station is a simple-cycle Peaker plant situated in Goleta, within Santa Barbara County, California. It houses a single Pratt & Whitney FT4 aero-derivative gas turbine twin-pack with a nominal capacity of 58 MW. Perched along the coastal lowlands near residential and open-space zones, the plant is activated during peak demand periods to provide rapid, dispatchable electricity.

Opportunity Summary

The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Supervisor at the Ellwood Power Station, a simple-cycle peaker located in Goleta, California, is responsible for setting and achieving operational goals, optimizing work processes, and maintaining effective communication with plant management and stakeholders. This role includes managing emergency response plans, implementing process improvements, and coordinating maintenance and renovation projects to ensure the facility remains in peak operating condition. The O&M Supervisor oversees all on-site operations, ensures compliance with safety and environmental regulations, manages comprehensive maintenance programs, and works closely with contractors and remote management to maintain the plant’s readiness for rapid startup during peak demand periods.

Your scope of responsibility as O&M Supervisor will include the following primary functions:

Serve as the on-site lead for all day-to-day activities at the Ellwood Power Station, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation during dispatch periods. Operate the plant’s Pratt & Whitney FT4 twin-pack gas turbine during startups, shutdowns, and load changes in accordance with procedures and dispatch instructions. Participate in remote operations coordination, ensuring effective communication with off-site dispatch/control centers during startup, shutdown, and operational events. Monitor plant conditions and immediately report normal, abnormal, or emergency situations to remote plant management; take corrective actions as directed or as required by established policies. Perform routine predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance activities to ensure equipment readiness and reliability. Conduct inspections and testing of auxiliary systems, electrical systems, and substation equipment, including HV/LV breakers and transformers. Oversee and perform water chemistry monitoring and treatment activities applicable to the plant’s systems (e.g., inlet fogging, emissions controls). Test and maintain standby systems such as emergency generators, batteries, fire protection systems, and critical instrumentation. Perform seasonal readiness activities, such as weatherization, freeze protection, and post-season inspections to maintain operational reliability year-round. Coordinate contractor activities for specialized maintenance or repairs, ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and work quality standards. Maintain accurate and up-to-date operational logs, maintenance records, and compliance documentation. Administer and adhere to safety programs, including Safe Work Permits, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), Confined Space, Hot Work, and Chemical Handling. Ensure compliance with NAES policies, site procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations. Ensure site security by monitoring access points, securing equipment and materials, and coordinating with security or local authorities as needed. Act as the primary point of contact for regulatory agencies, contractors, and other stakeholders visiting or working at the site. Prepare periodic reports and communicate plant status, maintenance needs, and operational issues to plant management. Perform other duties as assigned by Operations Director to maintain site readiness and support company objectives.

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. 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. This includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:

Conduct and support regular safety meetings (at least monthly). Address safety in all group meetings. Conduct inspections and observations by establishing a regular inspection process for the work area and a safety observation process for ongoing work. Lead these activities in accordance with any rules, requirements, or guidance established within your business unit, group, or division. Involve all NAES teammates in these activities. Analyze results, write work orders, and provide training and education to eliminate hazards, address at-risk behavior, and meet company regulatory requirements. Conduct safety observation tours of high-risk activities (e.g., confined space) to verify that employees are following safe practices, company procedures, and OSHA regulations. Hold one-on-one sessions with direct reports to discuss safety issues, communicate expectations, and coach safe behaviors. Respond to all safety-related incidents, including injuries, incidents, and near misses; write a report explaining what happened, identify the cause, and recommend corrective actions based on established business unit or division practices. Follow up as necessary to ensure corrective actions are taken.

Working Relationships

The O&M Supervisor reports directly to the Operations Director.

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 O&M Supervisor 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 may also be required.

Some travel will be required to participate in manager, owner, user group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $60 to $70 per hour, along with an annual performance bonus.

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

We are looking for a results-oriented leader with experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, coupled with a track record of leadership, career development, and operational success.

A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Extensive background in operating and maintaining combustion turbine power plants, preferably aero-derivative gas turbines, with strong expertise in preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs. In-depth understanding of simple-cycle gas turbine operations, auxiliary systems, and performance optimization in a peaking plant environment. Skilled in using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to track maintenance history, manage work orders, and control inventory. Proven ability to troubleshoot and analyze equipment issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions to sustain reliability and readiness. Track record in coordinating capital improvement projects, outage planning, and contractor activities to meet operational, budgetary, and strategic objectives. Comprehensive knowledge of safety regulations and best practices, with a history of ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal requirements while fostering a strong safety culture. Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective coordination with remote management, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders. 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 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.