Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical (IC&E) Technician

The Halifax County Biomass (HCB) Project is a woody biomass-fueled electric generation facility located in South Boston, Virginia, encompassing a 104‑acre site. The plant, with a nameplate capacity of 49.9 MW, began commercial operation in late 2013. It utilizes sustainably sourced wood materials to generate renewable electricity, supporting both regional power needs and local forest-based economies.

Opportunity Summary

The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Halifax County Biomass by maintaining, calibrating, testing, and troubleshooting plant instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment. This position works with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler and combustion controls, emissions monitoring systems, fuel handling equipment, and steam turbine controls while supporting preventive and corrective maintenance, outages, and plant improvement activities.

Your scope of responsibility as IC&E Technician includes the following primary functions:

• Calibrate, test, troubleshoot, repair, and install plant instrumentation and controls, including transmitters, analyzers, control valves, fan dampers, variable speed drives, conveyors, fuel-feed systems, and associated field devices.
• Maintain and troubleshoot PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler control, combustion control, and other automation systems, including supporting logic modifications and control-system optimization.
• Perform preventive, corrective, predictive, and emergency maintenance on electrical equipment such as switchgear, motor control centers, motors, transformers, batteries, chargers, inverters, and generator excitation systems.
• Utilize electrical and instrumentation test equipment to diagnose equipment faults, complete wiring repairs, and verify proper operation of plant systems and components.
• Monitor boiler, steam turbine generator, biomass fuel handling, emissions-control, and auxiliary systems through plant control systems to identify abnormal conditions and support reliable operation.
• Conduct calibration, testing, and performance checks on turbine controls, boiler controls, combustion systems, CEMS equipment, and emissions-control systems, including SCR and hot precipitator equipment.
• Support outages, commissioning activities, equipment modifications, and maintenance projects by coordinating technical work with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, and vendors.
• Document maintenance activities, calibration results, equipment modifications, work orders, drawings, and other technical information accurately and in accordance with plant procedures.
• Contribute to equipment reliability and continuous improvement by assisting with troubleshooting, root cause investigations, procedure updates, and recommendations for plant performance improvements.
• Follow all applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements while identifying hazards and properly handling hazardous materials and regulated waste.
• Perform other duties as required to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the Halifax County Biomass Facility.

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 IC&E Technician reports directly to the Maintenance Manager and receives general direction from plant management. This position works closely with Operations, Maintenance, contractors, vendors, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) personnel.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical demands include standing for extended periods of time, climbing multiple levels of stairs, climbing ladders over 50 feet in height, entering and exiting equipment cabs, traversing uneven or elevated surfaces, and working inside confined spaces. The role routinely requires lifting up to 50 pounds and performing tasks from elevated platforms or walkways.

Work may be performed in conditions involving dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise levels, and extreme temperatures near operating equipment. Outdoor tasks in all weather conditions are required, including in high-heat environments adjacent to biomass processing systems.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory and may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), respirators, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions are enforced in and around the facility to ensure plant safety and environmental compliance.

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 IC&E Technician works a standard Monday to Friday day-shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $32 to $39 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

IC&E Qualifications and Technical Competencies

• Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control, Electronics Technology, Industrial Electrical Technology, Plant Technology, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent technical training or relevant industrial or military experience may be considered.
• Previous experience in power generation, biomass, manufacturing, or another heavy industrial environment involving instrumentation, controls, electrical maintenance, and plant equipment.
• Working knowledge of electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers, motors, transformers, batteries, chargers, inverters, variable speed drives, and generator excitation equipment.
• Hands-on experience installing, calibrating, maintaining, and troubleshooting instrumentation such as transmitters, analyzers, control valves, temperature and pressure devices, and related field equipment.
• Familiarity with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler and combustion controls, turbine controls, burner management systems, CEMS, and other plant automation systems.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, logic diagrams, technical drawings, equipment manuals, and OEM documentation.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting ability to identify instrumentation, electrical, and control-system problems, determine probable causes, and support corrective actions.
• Experience using CMMS or similar maintenance systems to document work orders, equipment history, maintenance activities, and calibration records.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, and vendors.
• 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.