Data Operations Associate Jobs in Athens, GA (NOW HIRING)

The Franklin Biomass Facility, located in Carnesville, GA, generates 55 net megawatts of clean, renewable energy by converting sustainably sourced wood biomass into electricity. The facility utilizes an advanced Foster Wheeler boiler, along with a hot precipitator and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system, to ensure efficient combustion and reduced emissions. With a single turbine generator, the plant reliably supplies power to the local grid while promoting sustainable energy practices and supporting long-term environmental stewardship in the region.

Opportunity Summary

The Associate Instrumentation, Controls & Electrical (IC&E) Technician supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Franklin Biomass Facility by assisting with the maintenance, calibration, testing, and troubleshooting of instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment. Working under the guidance of experienced technicians, this role helps maintain PLC, DCS, SCADA, turbine controls, and balance-of-plant systems while supporting preventive maintenance, plant reliability, environmental compliance, and safe operating practices.

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

• Assist with the installation, calibration, testing, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of instrumentation, control systems, electrical equipment, and associated plant systems to support safe and reliable operation.
• Support the maintenance and troubleshooting of PLC, DCS, SCADA, turbine control, and other automated control systems while assisting with system modifications and performance improvements.
• Perform preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance on electrical equipment, including switchgear, motor control centers, transformers, motors, variable frequency drives, batteries, chargers, and generator excitation systems.
• Calibrate and maintain field instrumentation, transmitters, analyzers, control valves, Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS), and other process control equipment to ensure accurate operation and regulatory compliance.
• Assist with testing, tuning, and troubleshooting of boiler, combustion, steam turbine, fuel handling, and emissions control systems to optimize plant performance and reliability.
• Read and interpret electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, schematics, and OEM documentation to perform maintenance and support troubleshooting activities.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, calibration data, equipment documentation, and plant drawings using the site's computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Support maintenance outages by coordinating with plant personnel, contractors, vendors, and OEM representatives while promoting safe work practices and compliance with company policies.
• Participate in root cause analysis, reliability initiatives, procedure improvements, and continuous improvement efforts to enhance equipment performance and plant reliability.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Franklin 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 Associate IC&E Technician reports to the Maintenance Manager and works closely with plant personnel, contractors, and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) representatives to support maintenance activities and plant operations.

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 Associate IC&E Technician typically works a Monday through Friday day shift schedule. Occasional overtime, flexible schedules, weekend and holiday work, and periodic on-call duty may be required to support plant operations, maintenance activities, outages, and emergency response.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $36 to $41 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Relocation assistance is available for non-local candidates, if needed.

Qualifications and Technical Competencies

• Associate degree in Instrumentation, Electrical Engineering Technology, Process Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Plant Technology, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent military, industrial, or technical experience may be considered.
• Technician-level experience in power generation, manufacturing, or another heavy industrial environment supporting instrumentation, electrical, or controls maintenance.
• Working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, including motors, motor control centers, switchgear, transformers, variable frequency drives, batteries, chargers, and related equipment.
• Familiarity with instrumentation and automated control systems, including PLCs, DCS, SCADA, transmitters, analyzers, control valves, and process instrumentation used in industrial facilities.
• Basic understanding of boiler, steam turbine, auxiliary equipment, fuel handling, and emissions control systems, with the ability to assist in troubleshooting and equipment performance improvements.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, P&IDs, and OEM technical documentation.
• Experience using computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and Microsoft Office applications for maintenance documentation and reporting.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, teamwork, and organizational skills, with the ability to work safely and effectively in a collaborative industrial environment.
• 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.