Control Room Operator — Supercritical Power Plant

Vistra Corp.; Franklin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Oak Grove Management Co LLC in Franklin, Texas, seeks a Plant Operator to safely operate two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room. You will monitor boiler, turbine-generator, and balance-of-plant systems, respond to alarms, and coordinate startups, load changes, and switching actions.

The role requires at least six years of experience operating utility-scale generating equipment, strong DCS knowledge, and a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of related experience.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience operating utility-scale generating equipment from a control room.
• Understanding of supercritical steam generation and turbine-generator systems.
• Strong knowledge of DCS-based control and monitoring systems.
• Understanding of boiler combustion, steam-water systems, turbine operation, electrical generation, and major auxiliary systems.
• Ability to interpret trends, alarms, operating parameters, equipment indications, and process data to identify developing equipment or process issues.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic operating environment.
• Demonstrated effective oral and verbal communication skills and the ability to work successfully as part of a shift team.
• Ability to follow approved procedures while recognizing equipment or process conditions that are not behaving as expected.
• Strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and reliable generation.
• Ability to maintain accurate operating logs and other required documentation.
• Ability to work without direct supervision in unit upset conditions.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room.
• Maintain safe, stable, and efficient operation of the boiler, turbine-generator, and associated balance-of-plant systems.
• Monitor DCS indications, alarms, trends, process conditions, equipment performance, and operating parameters.
• Make timely operating decisions in response to changing unit conditions, equipment issues, system disturbances, and abnormal operating situations.
• Execute and coordinate unit startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment clearances, and switching activities in accordance with approved procedures.
• Work closely with field operators to verify equipment conditions and safely execute operating instructions.
• Operate and monitor lignite fuel-delivery systems, including rail unloading, conveyors, transfer equipment, bunkers, feeders, and associated controls.
• Monitor lignite inventory, fuel flow, conveyor performance, feeder operation, and material‑handling alarms to maintain a reliable fuel supply to the generating units.
• Coordinate with fuel-handling personnel and Shift Supervision regarding train deliveries, unloading priorities, fuel inventory levels, and lignite‑system operating conditions.
• Support the safe startup, shutdown, isolation, clearance, and restoration of lignite fuel-handling equipment.
• Identify abnormal equipment behavior, developing process issues, and fuel‑handling concerns before they become significant operating or reliability problems.
• Communicate equipment conditions, operational risks, and plant‑status changes clearly to the Shift Supervisor, maintenance personnel, engineers, fuel-handling personnel, and other plant personnel.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, records, and documentation, including unit operating status, fuel‑delivery activity, train deliveries, fuel inventory, and lignite‑system conditions.
• Support troubleshooting, incident reviews, and root‑cause identification following equipment, process, or fuel‑system issues.
• Follow all applicable safety, environmental, operating, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in emergency response, drills, training, procedure reviews, and continuous‑improvement activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by plant management.

Skills

Control room operation

DCS monitoring

Safety compliance

Boiler & turbine knowledge

Troubleshooting

Communication

Operating logs

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical/Associate degree or equivalent

Tools

PI System

Foxboro control systems

Job description

Oak Grove Management Co LLC in Franklin, Texas, seeks a Plant Operator to safely operate two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room. You will monitor boiler, turbine-generator, and balance-of-plant systems, respond to alarms, and coordinate startups, load changes, and switching actions.

The role requires at least six years of experience operating utility-scale generating equipment, strong DCS knowledge, and a commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.