Control Room Operator

eastenergyllc-com; La Grange (KY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

eastenergyllc-com is seeking a Control Room Operator to manage a biomass-fired boiler and a 3 MW steam turbine using Allen Bradley DCS and PLCs. The role focuses on safe, compliant, and reliable electrical generation and REC production.

The position requires monitoring process parameters, responding to alarms, and coordinating with maintenance to sustain continuous plant operation. Rotating shifts, weekends, and holidays may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience in power generation industry operating steam generators and steam turbines, preferably solid fueled
• Extensive hands-on operation and maintenance of steam generators, specifically solid fuel boilers
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, manuals and drawings
• Ability to interpret and react to alarm management systems
• Familiar with distributed control systems (DCS) and human machine interfaces (HMIs)
• Familiar with basic Microsoft products
• Able to work rotating shifts including holidays, nights and weekends

Responsibilities

• Evaluates and maintains proper operation of all machinery.
• Follows and promotes standard practices, refers to manuals to evaluate operation of machinery.
• Operate distributed control systems (DCS) to control boilers and steam turbine and ancillary equipment.
• Operate PLC controls to control wood yard and wood drying equipment and boiler ancillary equipment.
• Solve complex problems in a timely manner pertaining to operation of power plant equipment.
• Operate equipment to ensure uninterrupted power generation to the grid.
• Monitor and record pressures, temperatures, and fuel consumption.
• Identify symptoms requiring maintenance action and inform responsible personnel.

Skills

Power generation

Solid fuel boilers

DCS/HMI knowledge

Alarm management

Blueprints & drawings reading

Teamwork

Tools

Allen Bradley DCS

HMIs

Microsoft Office

Job description

Control Room Operator

Under general direction, operate one biomass fired boiler and one (1) 3 MW steam turbine by utilizing an Allen Bradley DCS and various PLC operated controls. Position does include operation of all associated equipment, in order to provide electrical generation and REC production in a safe, environmentally compliant and reliable manner.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Work Environment: Typically spends 20% of time in an operations field environmental. May need to work outside occasionally in inclement weather conditions. Majority of time will be spend in Control Room office type of setting

Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including dust, fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, rotating machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work temperatures, slippery surfaces, water and electrical hazards.

Physical Demands: Standing 25%, Sitting 50%, Walking 25%

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, fingers and arms and to speak and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stop, kneel or crouch and enter confined spaces. The employee will be occasionally required to use ladders or stairs. The employee must lift and or move up to 50 pounds. Specific ision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process upset conditions and alarms

Scope & Responsibilities

• Evaluates and maintains proper operation of all machinery.
• Follows and promotes standard and established practices, refers to operation and service manuals to evaluate and maintain proper operation of all machinery.
• Ability to efficiently operate distributed control systems (DCS) to control boilers, steam turbine, and their ancillary equipment.
• Ability to efficiently operate various PLC controls to control wood yard and wood drying equipment as well as various boiler ancillary equipment
• Ability to solve complex problems in a timely manner pertaining to the operation of the power plant equipment
• Operates equipment to ensure uninterrupted power generation to the grid.
• Monitors and records pressures, temperatures, and fuel consumption on the operating equipment.
• Identifies and informs appropriate individual of symptoms requiring maintenance action.
• Has knowledge to ensure the safe operating condition of machinery and takes immediate corrective action should unsafe conditions exist.
• May be required to obtain a certification to wear a full-face respirator
• Performs and promotes work in a safe manner according to established safety procedures and reports or rectifies any unsafe conditions.
• Displays willingness to work in a team environment and follow directions and instructions from members of management.
• Must be present and ready to begin working at the designated time.
• Must be available to work occasional scheduled or unscheduled overtime, as required.
• Must be willing and able to work rotating shifts that include holidays, nights and weekends.
• Must have ability to interface diplomatically with other employees and the public.
• Ability to hear and understand audible alarms, detect changes in noise levels of rotating equipment and portable radio communication
• Must be present and ready to begin working at the designated time.
• Must be available to work occasional scheduled or unscheduled overtime, as required.
• Must be willing and able to work rotating shifts that include holidays, nights and weekends.
• Must have ability to interface diplomatically with other employees and the public.

Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Experience in power generation industry operating steam generators and steam turbines to – preferably in a solid fueled facility
• Extensive hands on experience in the operation and maintenance of steam generators, specifically solid fuel boilers.
• Valid North Carolina driver license or the ability to obtain
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, manuals and drawings, and procedures
• Ability to interpret and react to alarm management systems
• Working knowledge of the maintenance of daily plant logs
• Familiar with distributed control systems (DCS) and human machine interfaces (HMI’s) controlling complex systems
• Familiar with basic Microsoft products
• Must have experience with sound safety practices using hand tools and power equipment related to job assignments
• Able to work rotating-shift assignments to support plant operations
• Ability to hear and understand audible alarms, detect changes in noise levels of rotating equipment and portable radio communication
• Ability to lift heavy equipment and carry materials up and down stairs with the capacity of lifting 50 pounds

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Training on the operation of boiler/turbine DCS controls, preferably Allen Bradley
• Training on CEMS and Emissions related control Systems
• General power plant heat transfer theory or related training
• Training on preventative maintenance and best practices.