Lead Mechanic WtE (St. Petersburg, FL)

Lead Mechanic (Power Plant Operations)

Position Summary

The Lead Mechanic is responsible for providing hands-on leadership and coordination of all mechanical maintenance activities within the power plant. This role ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of plant equipment by directing daily maintenance efforts, supporting troubleshooting and repairs, and ensuring compliance with company safety policies, maintenance procedures, and regulatory requirements.

The Lead Mechanic serves as a key liaison between Maintenance, Operations, contractors, and plant leadership while promoting equipment reliability, workforce development, and continuous improvement.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily mechanical maintenance activities to support plant operations.
• Assign work to mechanics and maintenance personnel while ensuring tasks are completed safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Review and prioritize work orders based on operational needs and equipment reliability.
• Troubleshoot, inspect, repair, and maintain a variety of rotating and stationary mechanical equipment.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on pumps, motors, compressors, conveyors, valves, gearboxes, boilers, turbines, fans, and related equipment.
• Assist with plant outages, equipment overhauls, shutdowns, and major maintenance projects.
• Identify equipment issues and provide recommendations for corrective and preventive actions.
• Coordinate with Operations regarding equipment isolation, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), testing, and return-to-service activities.
• Ensure compliance with all safety procedures including LOTO, confined space entry, hot work, fall protection, and PPE requirements.
• Verify availability of tools, parts, materials, and equipment prior to maintenance activities.
• Monitor usage and accountability of maintenance inventory, spare parts, and consumables.
• Provide technical guidance and hands-on support to mechanics during complex repairs and troubleshooting efforts.
• Inspect completed work to ensure repairs meet company standards and operational requirements.
• Communicate maintenance priorities, equipment conditions, and outstanding issues to supervisors and plant personnel.
• Support the development and optimization of preventive maintenance programs.
• Investigate recurring equipment failures and recommend reliability improvements to reduce downtime.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, inspection reports, equipment history, and work order documentation.
• Oversee contractor activities and ensure adherence to plant safety and maintenance standards.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns and emergency maintenance situations as required.
• Train, coach, and mentor mechanics and developing maintenance personnel.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Provide daily leadership and direction to the mechanical maintenance team.
• Establish clear expectations for safety, productivity, and quality of work.
• Coordinate manpower, schedules, and daily work assignments.
• Monitor work progress and adjust priorities based on plant operational requirements.
• Support employee training, development, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Promote effective communication and collaboration between Maintenance and Operations.
• Escalate safety concerns, equipment issues, production impacts, and personnel matters to management as appropriate.
• Lead by example through professionalism, accountability, and adherence to company values.

Qualifications

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum of 5 years of industrial mechanical maintenance experience.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, maintenance practices, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, mechanical drawings, P&IDs, equipment manuals, and technical documents.
• Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and work order systems.
• Knowledge of industrial safety procedures and maintenance best practices.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

• Technical degree, trade certification, or related vocational training.
• Previous Lead Mechanic, Senior Mechanic, or maintenance supervisory experience.
• Power plant, waste-to-energy, utility, manufacturing, or heavy industrial maintenance experience.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an industrial power plant environment.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and work at elevated heights.
• Ability to work in confined spaces when trained and authorized.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull tools, equipment, and materials.
• Ability to work around heat, noise, dust, vibration, chemicals, and other industrial conditions while wearing required PPE.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, overtime, and emergency call-outs as needed.

Position Objective

The Lead Mechanic plays a critical role in maintaining plant reliability by providing strong technical leadership and hands-on maintenance support. This position is responsible for ensuring equipment is maintained safely and efficiently while promoting operational excellence, workforce development, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement throughout the maintenance organization.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick Time & Holidays)
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Training & Career Development Opportunities

About FCC Environmental Services

FCC Environmental Services is committed to attracting, developing, and retaining top talent in a diverse and inclusive work environment. We focus on delivering world-class environmental solutions while fostering a culture of safety, innovation, teamwork, and professional growth.

FCC Environmental Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.