Control Room Operator (CRO)

The Berkshire Power Plant is a 250 MW natural gas-fired, combined cycle facility featuring a single-shaft gas turbine. The facility utilizes a 340 MVA water- and air-cooled generator driven by both a 150 MW ALSTOM GT-24B gas turbine and an ALSTOM triple-pressure condensing steam turbine, producing an additional 100 MW. The gas turbine exhausts into a dual-pressure reheat Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG), operating at near-critical pressures.

Opportunity Summary

The Control Room Operator (CRO) at the Berkshire Power Plant oversees the safe and efficient operation of all plant systems, including monitoring, controlling, starting up, and shutting down equipment from the control room while ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards. This role requires a valid Second-Class Engineer License under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts License Law and involves managing plant logs, water chemistry, maintenance activities, and responding to alarms or upset conditions. The CRO also supports shift handovers, staff training, and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant performance.

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

• Responsible for the overall operation of the power plant, including operating, monitoring, inspecting, and controlling all plant parameters from the control room.
• Maintain a valid MA Second-Class Engineer License under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts License Law, serving as the operator engineer in charge of the watch.
• Operate, monitor, start up, and shut down all plant equipment, including combustion turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, generators, and auxiliary systems, ensuring safe and efficient performance.
• Oversee plant water chemistry and provide direction to maintain it within plant guidelines.
• Participate in daily preventive, scheduled, and repair maintenance activities in a safe, effective, and timely manner; assist with plant cleanup and housekeeping as directed.
• Ensure safe work practices, including lockout / tagout procedures, confined space entry, and hot work permits; supervise personnel and contractors to maintain compliance with safety standards.
• Actively participate in NAES Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance Programs, promoting a strong safety culture and adhering to all safety and environmental rules.
• Complete and maintain daily logs, plant and state logbooks, and other records documenting electrical and steam output, emissions, fuel and water consumption, heat rates, and operational activities accurately and timely.
• Enter work orders and other relevant data into the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), maintain inventories, and perform other CMMS tasks as directed.
• Review logs, records, and operational data periodically to ensure effective procedures, identify trends, and recommend improvements to plant operation.
• Monitor plant equipment performance, respond to alarms, and report abnormalities to ensure timely corrective actions.
• Assist in managing plant upset conditions, including containment, control, and corrective actions as required.
• Conduct thorough and accurate shift handovers, briefing incoming personnel on plant issues and concerns.
• Assist in staff training and development initiatives to enhance operational competency.
• Execute tasks assigned by the Operations Manager, contributing to the plant’s operational success.

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 other plant management. The CRO coordinates with all plant personnel as it pertains to the safe, efficient, and reliable operation 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 to ensure consistent and reliable plant operation. 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.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $55 to $64 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications and Skills

We are seeking a skilled Operator with a foundation in power generation operations, along with a proven ability to support team success and consistently meet performance standards.

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.