Control Room Plant Operator – Lignite Power (24/7)

TXU Energy; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Vistra operates two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operations. The role monitors boiler and turbine systems, conducts startup/shutdowns, and coordinates with field operators to maintain continuous generation.

A strong safety and team-focused mindset is required. The position demands experience operating utility-scale equipment, understanding of supercritical steam cycles, and proficiency with DCS and PI/Foxboro systems.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of related experience.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• 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.
• Ability to interpret trends, alarms, operating parameters, equipment indications, and process data to identify developing issues.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure in a fast‑paced, dynamic 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 ops

DCS familiarity

Alarm interpretation

Decision making

Safety focus

Team communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

PI System

Foxboro control systems

DCS-based controls

Job description

Vistra operates two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant operations. The role monitors boiler and turbine systems, conducts startup/shutdowns, and coordinates with field operators to maintain continuous generation.

A strong safety and team-focused mindset is required. The position demands experience operating utility-scale equipment, understanding of supercritical steam cycles, and proficiency with DCS and PI/Foxboro systems.