The Mechanical Maintenance Technician performs mechanical maintenance work to support safe, reliable, and efficient operation of power plants and auxiliary equipment. This position installs, inspects, troubleshoots, repairs, modifies, overhauls, tests, and maintains mechanical equipment and systems throughout the plant.

The position requires strong mechanical aptitude, safe work practices, the ability to follow procedures and job plans, and a willingness to develop mechanical maintenance skills in a power plant environment. The Mechanical Maintenance Technician works under the direction of the Mechanical Supervisor, Lead Mechanical Maintenance Technician, and assigned job leads to complete corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance work.

The Mechanical Maintenance Technician also supports contractors and engineers during major overhauls, projects, and large-scale equipment repairs, providing field coordination and technical guidance to ensure safe and effective execution.

Essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Perform mechanical maintenance work on power plant and auxiliary equipment, including inspection, troubleshooting, repair, replacement, adjustment, testing, and return-to-service support.
• Maintain and repair mechanical equipment such as pumps, fans, valves, conveyors, compressors, gearboxes, piping systems, pulverizers, coal handling equipment, and other plant mechanical systems.
• Support corrective, preventive, and predictive maintenance activities to improve equipment reliability and plant availability.
• Assist with equipment troubleshooting and system problem identification, and communicate findings to supervision, Lead Technicians, Planning, Operations, or Engineering as needed.
• Follow approved job plans, maintenance procedures, safety procedures, LOTO requirements, and plant standards during work execution.
• Use proper tools, rigging, lifting practices, precision maintenance practices, and safe work methods while performing assigned work.
• Assist in equipment disassembly, inspection, repair, alignment, reassembly, testing, and documentation.
• Support planned outage work, forced outage work, and emergent plant maintenance activities as required.
• Use the Computerized Maintenance Management System, such as Maximo, to review work orders, document work performed, enter work logs, and identify follow-up work as needed.
• Assist in identifying parts, materials, tooling, and support needed to complete assigned work.
• Maintain housekeeping and ensure work areas are left in a safe and orderly condition.
• Participate in safety meetings, pre-job briefs, post-job reviews, and other maintenance department meetings as required.
• Support continuous improvement by providing feedback on job plans, procedures, parts, tooling, and equipment issues.
• Develop mechanical maintenance skills through training, field experience, mentoring, and assigned qualification requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties in assigned area in a satisfactory fashion.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for this employment position.  REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.

Education/Experience

• High School or GED required.
• Two years of direct mechanical maintenance experience in a power plant, heavy industrial, manufacturing, or facilities maintenance environment required; or
• Four years of power plant experience in operations, equipment operation, equipment inspection, maintenance support, facilities maintenance, or other equipment-related plant work may be considered.
• Experience must include direct involvement with industrial mechanical equipment such as rotating equipment, conveyors, pumps, compressors, valves, fans, gearboxes, piping systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, or similar plant equipment.
• Candidates must demonstrate mechanical aptitude, safe work practices, ability to use tools, ability to follow procedures, and ability to develop into a qualified Mechanical Maintenance Technician.
• A two-year technical degree, apprenticeship, military technical training, or applicable industrial mechanical certification may be considered in lieu of some direct experience.
• Prior mechanical maintenance experience in a power plant or related heavy industrial environment preferred.
• Experience with alignment, rigging, welding, machining, hydraulics, pneumatics, lubrication, precision maintenance, or equipment troubleshooting desired.
• Candidate must pass the applicable EEI test battery to be considered.

Certification/Licensure

N/A

Knowledge of

• Basic mechanical maintenance practices in a power generation, heavy industrial, manufacturing, or facilities maintenance environment.
• Industrial mechanical equipment, including pumps, fans, valves, conveyors, compressors, gearboxes, piping systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and rotating equipment.
• Safe work practices, including LOTO, hazard recognition, PPE, elevated work, confined space awareness, and energy control.
• Basic troubleshooting methods for mechanical equipment and systems.
• Preventive and corrective maintenance practices.
• Basic understanding of steam power plant operations, auxiliary systems, and the impact of mechanical equipment reliability on production.
• Work order documentation and CMMS use, such as Maximo.
• Use of common hand tools, power tools, measuring tools, and maintenance equipment.

Skills, abilities and physical requirements

• Strong mechanical aptitude and willingness to develop mechanical maintenance skills.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, measuring tools, and maintenance equipment.
• Ability to follow written procedures, job plans, work instructions, safety requirements, and supervisor direction.
• Ability to communicate clearly with co-workers, supervisors, Lead Technicians, Operations, Planning, and Engineering.
• Ability to read and understand work orders, equipment manuals, drawings, procedures, and safety documents.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment issues and communicate observations clearly.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a maintenance crew.
• Ability to accept coaching, training, and field direction from qualified technicians, Lead Technicians, and supervision.
• Ability to work overtime, alternate shifts, nights, weekends, planned outages, and forced outages as required.
• Ability to work from elevated positions, climb stairs and ladders, access plant equipment, and work in close quarters or confined spaces.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, lift, carry, and move materials consistent with industrial maintenance work.
• Must be able to wear required PPE, including respirators, hearing protection, eye protection, and protective clothing.

Work Environment

The characteristics listed herein describe the work environment the employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this employment position.  REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS MAY BE MADE TO ENABLE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES TO PERFORM THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS.  While performing the duties of this position, the employee:

• Work is performed in both field and plant environments within a power generation facility. The role requires regular exposure to industrial conditions, including heat, noise, dust, and confined or elevated work areas.

Compensation and Benefits

At Prairie State, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as one grows and develops within a role. The base pay range we reasonably expect to pay for this role is between $39.97 per hour and $48.24 per hour. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as skills, qualifications, and relevant experience. In addition, this position is eligible to participate in the Company’s monthly incentive program. 

Employees are also eligible to receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement savings plan with Company match, life and disability insurance, and tuition reimbursement. Click here to learn more about Prairie State’s benefits. 

Prairie State offers all full-time employees paid time off, accruing 160 hours annually with gradual increases based on length of service, as well as nine paid holidays per year. Paid maternal and paternal leave is also available to employees that meet the eligibility requirements. 

Note: Prairie State benefits, compensation, and employee incentive programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.