Electric Plant Operator I, Electric Production

City of Santa Fe Springs; Alexandria (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health care

Dental insurance

Vision care

Retirement plan

Flexible spending accounts

Long-term disability

Wellness clinic

Job summary

The City of Alexandria seeks a power plant operator to manage routine and moderately complex tasks in a steam-driven plant transitioning to gas-fueled reciprocating engine generation.

You will monitor equipment, conduct inspection rounds, start/stop drives, maintain water quality, perform tests, and assist in the control room and maintenance teams. A high school diploma/GED and LA driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• Experience in operation of steam-driven and/or reciprocating internal combustion engine driven electric utility power plant.

Responsibilities

• Monitors equipment and system demands; performs hourly inspection rounds of plant equipment and reports malfunctions.
• Tests temperatures of bearings; reads gauges and recorders; logs data and reports unusual readings.
• Starts and stops gas-fueled reciprocating engine driven generation, boilers and turbines; adjusts flow and load under supervision.
• Handles customer service tasks: receives questions, dispatches appropriate personnel, logs actions.
• Operates and maintains equipment: lubricates, services, assists in inspection, overhaul, and repair of turbines and auxiliaries.
• Assists in operating the control room, gas-fueled engines, boilers, turbines and allied equipment.
• Maintains water quality: takes samples, conducts routine analysis, applies chemical treatment.
• Operates PC to enter and retrieve data; operates turbines, generators, cranes, switchgear and tools.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

The purpose of this classification is to perform routine and moderately complex work involved in the daily operation of a steam driven electric power plant being converted to gas fueled reciprocating engine driven generation at this time.

Examples of Duties

• Monitors the equipment and system demands: makes hourly inspection rounds of plant to observe the water level in tower and the operation of a variety of motors, pumps, compressors, fans, condensers, heaters, and gas fueled reciprocating engine driven generation as well as related equipment; reports equipment malfunctions and any other concerns to supervisor.
• Tests temperatures of bearings; reads gauges, meters, and recorders; logs required data and reports any unusual readings to supervisor.
• Under close supervision, brings the gas fueled reciprocating engine driven generation, boilers and turbines on and off line: starts up and shuts down pumps and fans; adjusts flow controls on turbine auxiliary equipment; adjusts load to cover demand.
• Performs customer service functions: receives and addresses complaints, questions, and service requests; dispatches the appropriate personnel; logs telephone calls and radio transmissions; records information regarding the situation and action taken to fulfill request.
• Operates and maintains equipment: lubricates and services equipment; performs various maintenance tasks; assists the maintenance crew in the inspection, overhaul, and repair of turbine generators and auxiliary equipment; paints and cleans equipment and plant to maintain plant appearance and operation.
• Assists in the operation of the control room, gas fueled reciprocating engines and appurtenant generators, high pressure boilers, steam turbines and allied auxiliary equipment.
• Under supervision evaluates and maintains water quality: takes water samples; performs routine analysis and administers proper chemical treatment as needed.
• Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data; operates high pressure steam turbine, electric generator, crane, power tools, high voltage switchgear, pumps, motors, compressors, gas fueled reciprocating engine driven generation, hand tools, grease gun, switchgear motor, hand, power, air and mechanics tools.

Typical Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED; experience in the operation of a steam-driven and/or reciprocating internal combustion engine driven electric utility power plant; or a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

After the commercial operations date of the new units, completion of Wartsila gas fueled stationary reciprocating engine / generator training.

Must possess a valid driver’s license. Will be required to obtain a valid State of Louisiana driver’s license at time of appointment and maintain throughout employment for this classification.

Applicants must supply complete and accurate information concerning their previous training and experience including a detailed description of their work experience, the names and addresses of all previous employers and the dates of employment. The information is subject to verification.

Examination may consist of a written test, a rating of training and experience, a performance test or any combination thereof deemed necessary to adequately screen and rank applicants. Examination notices will be sent out via email with a testing date, time, and location if applicable.

The City of Alexandria is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, or disability.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time employees, including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, sick leave, and a wellness clinic for employees.