Combustion Turbine Operator

East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Inc; Winchester (KY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day-one medical

Free dental

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation and sick leave

No waiting period for benefits

Job summary

East Kentucky Power Cooperative is seeking a Combustion Turbine Operator for Smith Station, based in Winchester, KY. The role focuses on monitoring, operating, and maintaining combustion turbines and associated systems to ensure reliable power generation.

Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED with related technical training; associate degree or related certificate is a plus. The job requires strong attention to safety and the ability to work with CT Technicians and Dispatch.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; related technical training preferred.
• Experience with electrical and mechanical systems in industrial settings is desirable.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics, manuals, and blueprints.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, operate, and control combustion turbines and related equipment.
• Record plant data and logs; communicate issues to Dispatch Center.
• Perform routine maintenance and inspections; assist CT Technicians as needed.
• Ensure safety procedures and lockout/tagout practices are followed.
• Respond to alarms and abnormal conditions promptly and accurately.

Skills

Mechanical knowledge

Electrical knowledge

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or certificate in related area

Tools

LOTO software

Control panels

P&IDs & F&IDs

Job description

Combustion Turbine Operator- Smith Station- Expires- 9/19/2026

Located in the heart of the Bluegrass state, East Kentucky Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, KY which is just a short distance from Lexington. Our cooperative has a vital mission: to safely generate and deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our 16 owner-member cooperatives serving more than 1.2 million Kentuckians across 89 counties. We’re leaders in environmental stewardship and we’re committed to provide power to improve the lives of people in Kentucky.

As passionate as we are about providing smart energy solutions, we are equally excited about people. We strive to cultivate connected workplaces where great ideas are born and rewarding careers are built.

EKPC offers a wage and benefits package that ranks among the best in the state. There is no waiting period on our medical, dental and vision insurance plans so you are covered on day one, and the dental plan is free for employees. Our generous 401(k) retirement plan allows employees to start contributing to their plan after a month of service, and after 3 months of service, EKPC will automatically contribute 6.5% of base wages AND match employee contributions up to 4.5%. Our competitive vacation and sick leave package starts day one to allow for flexibly and a healthy work-life balance.

EKPC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Key Roles

This position is responsible for performing all duties and assignments to effectively monitor, operate, and control equipment associated with combustion turbines (CTs).

Key Responsibilities

Combustion Turbine Operator

• Performs general facility maintenance duties.
• Monitors, operates, and controls combustion turbines and auxiliary equipment and takes appropriate action to maintain normal equipment and system operation.
• Records plant operating data and files reports or logs.
• Monitors equipment fluids and replaces or adds with the correct fluid.
• Changes fuses, lamp indicators, and other protective devices.
• Assists CT Technicians in maintaining all equipment associated with the combustion turbine plant.
• Cleans assigned equipment and maintains a clean work area.
• Performs mechanical and electrical equipment and system tests.
• Assists CT Technicians performing complicated rigging.
• Operates overhead crane.
• Operates a water treatment and demineralizer (DM) plant.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Ensures proper operation of enclosure ventilation.
• Performs a walk down inspection for gas turbines and BOP using the walk down checklist.
• Inspects gas turbine and BOP equipment for vibration, noise, temperature, and leaks during operation and documents problems.
• Records hourly readings on appropriate logs.
• Reports megawatt total to Dispatch Center.
• Monitors and records fluid levels including CT lube oil block and BOP from DCS (fuel oil and NOx Water).
• Identifies unusual conditions and operates enclosure ventilation.
• Performs hourly unit walk down when on rotor barring.
• Sets up the gas yard for operation prior to start up.
• Shuts down gas yard after turbine shut down.
• Monitors fuel oil containment berm.
• Checks compressor oil levels.
• Checks differential pressure on instrument air filters.
• Takes air dryer readings including pressure and temperature.
• Starts and stops instrument air compressors.
• Checks for proper operation of chemical pumps in water plant.
• Monitors hourly during operation for abnormal conditions.
• Shuts down DM plant.
• Identifies and responds to equipment alarms.
• Identifies and responds to problems in plant operation.
• Starts and stop river water pumps.
• Checks water plant for proper operation.
• Checks general service transformer oil levels and alarms.
• Checks main transformer oil levels and alarms.
• Communicates with Dispatcher.
• Racks in and racks out 480v and 4160v circuit breakers under supervision.
• Opens and closes switches and breakers both locally and from control panel.
• Monitors status of Blackstart equipment.
• Performs daily checks on Blackstart diesels and auxiliary equipment.
• Understands operation of turbines and support systems.
• Inspects batteries for abnormal conditions.
• Inspects heat tracing.
• Inspects lube oil pumps.
• Inspects fuel oil filters.
• Follows safety procedures for oil spills.
• Lubricates motors and gear boxes.
• Lubricates pump bearings and grease fittings.
• Collects fuel oil samples.
• Performs necessary maintenance during Combustion Inspections under the guidance of supervision.
• Changes belts on equipment.
• Navigates control panel screens (Balance of Plant (BOP) Overview, CT Unit).
• Monitors and records equipment parameters locally and on control panel including temperatures, levels, pressure, and kWh.
• Monitors fire suppression systems including CO2 and plant.
• Opens and closes valves locally and from control panel.
• Locks and unlocks equipment from control panel.
• Monitors equipment status locally and from control screens including fan and pump motors, breakers, and valves (checks oil, vibration, and temperature).
• Operates printers (selects printer and changes paper).
• Uses a walkie talkie.
• Reports unusual events to proper personnel.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Relamps indicating lights for control board relays and switches.
• Starts gas heater for GE unit.
• Selects fuel for turbine operation.
• Resets DART II gas recorder.
• Starts gas compressor for LMS100.
• Troubleshoots compressor.
• Monitors raw water entering clarifier.
• Starts and stops water plant.
• Shuts down water plant.
• Isolates valves.
• Assists CT Technicians with maintenance.
• Responds to plant alarms including screens and local.
• Implements fire suppression systems including CO2 and plant.
• Locates breaker.
• Locates 480v and 4160v breakers.
• Racks out 480v and 4160v breakers.
• Removes breakers from cubicle.
• Uses remote racking equipment.
• Operates breakers with remote racking and switching.
• Uses hot sticks.
• Uses arc flash PPE.
• Resets fire protection system valves.
• Checks fire protection system for leaks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Use P&IDs and F&IDs.
• Use the cause and effect matrix.
• Transfers oil filters while online.
• Runs lube oil kidney system and collects oil samples for lab analysis.
• Inspects plant systems and equipment to determine operating status.
• Isolates transformers for maintenance.
• Installs grounds on isolated transformer.
• Performs Blackstart from dead switchyard condition.
• Builds process trends displays and analyzes process data.
• Uses histograms and SOE recorders to analyze failures for root cause.
• Develops operations procedures.
• Issues work orders to ensure safe, clean, and efficient plant, grounds, and work areas.
• Maintains documentation relating to plant operations.
• Issues lock out tag out (LOTO) request.
• Provides assistance, as directed, to ensure security of plant and grounds.
• Ensures correct procedures are followed during all phases of plant operations.
• Develops isolation procedures for safe and efficient LOTO.
• Performs switching in 138KV switchyard following clearance forms.
• Performs switching in 345KV switchyard following clearance forms.
• Uses LOTO software.

Performs other duties as assigned

Key Requirements

Education and Certifications / Licenses:

• High school diploma or GED. Associate's degree in a related area or an Energy Systems Power Plant Operator certificate preferred. Additional mechanical or electrical related courses highly desirable.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of mechanical or electrical related work experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of pumps and motors, valve operation and hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Working knowledge of power plant, compressor stations, paper mills, marine or aircraft propulsion systems, or manufacturing general maintenance highly preferred.
• Knowledge of water treatment facilities desirable.
• Must be able to read and understand schematic drawings, technical manuals, system logic, and blueprints.
• Must be a self motivated individual with the ability to work alone.
• Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
• Safety Awareness
• Contributing to Team Success
• Initiating Action

Working Conditions

• Must possess a valid driver's license and excellent driving record, and must live within one and a half (1.5) hours of the plant.
• Must work a 12-hour rotating shirt; on-call position; nonscheduled overtime is a normal part of job.
• Occasional lifting up to fifty (50) pounds; regular climbing and work at heights on stairs and ladders.
• Must pass a physical ability and aptitude test.
• Must be medically certified to wear respiratory protection.
• Must be able to appropriately don a respirator which would include no facial hair at the sealing surface.
• Must follow procedures for wearing all personal protective equipment.