Equipment Operator - In Grade

Energy Northwest; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive plan

Comprehensive benefits package

Pension & savings plans

Job summary

Energy Northwest seeks an Equipment Operator to monitor and operate plant systems outside the Control Room, collaborating with service organizations to ensure safe, efficient operations. The role starts under guidance and progresses to independent work once fully qualified.

Responsibilities include fuel handling, inspections, core refueling, and participation in emergency response teams. A POSS test is required; multiple qualification paths exist including high school with experience or nuclear

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 2 years of commercial power plant experience or current Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program enrollment with GPA 3.0+.
• NUC-NUC program enrollment with limited quarters/semesters remaining (qualification condition).
• Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program Associate Degree or Navy nuclear training or Engineering degree acceptable.
• Must pass Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) test.

Responsibilities

• Observe and operate nuclear plant systems for safe, efficient operation.
• Communicate with Control Room; maintain awareness of changing plant conditions.
• Verify and review procedures, sample and analyze chemistry and radiochemistry, document activities.
• Handle nuclear fuel, perform inspections and core refueling.
• Serve in Emergency Team, Hazardous Materials Response Team, and Fire Brigade.
• Work independently on qualified tasks and take on additional duties as needed.

Education

High school diploma or GED + 2 years power plant experience

Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program enrollment

Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program Associate Degree

Navy nuclear prototype training

Bachelor degree in engineering

Job description

GENERAL SUMMARY

Operates or monitors the operation of all plant equipment outside the central Control Room in such a manner as to ensure safe, efficient plant operation. The Equipment Operator works cooperatively with all plant service organizations for the effective performance of duties that interface with plant operations. Will initially work under the guidance of a fully qualified Equipment Operator. Once full qualifications are obtained, will work independently on assigned tasks.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Observes and operates nuclear power plant systems and components and performs functions of an operating nature required for safe, efficient plant operations.

• Communicates with the Control Room and participates in maintaining a mutual awareness of changing plant conditions and events which affect, or could affect, operation of the plant.

• Performs procedure writing verification and review, chemical and radiological sampling and analysis, housekeeping, and documentation.

• Performs nuclear fuel handling, inspections, and core refueling.

• Functions as a member or leader of the plant Emergency Team, Hazardous Materials Response Team, and Fire Brigade.

• Works independently on tasks for which qualified.

• Performs other tasks as required.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

High school diploma/GED plus two years of experience in a commercial power plant,

OR High school diploma/GED plus current enrollment in a Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program with no more than two quarters or one semester remaining and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (successful program completion while maintaining required GPA is a condition of continued employment),

OR an Associate Degree from a Nuclear Uniform Curriculum Program,

OR Navy Training with nuclear prototype school completion,

OR a Bachelor Degree in engineering from an accredited college or university.

The applicant must pass the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) test.

Placement as a percentage of the journey level wage rate will be based on the below:

75% - Non-Navy entry level requirements (see above).

80% - Non-Navy entry level requirements plus 6 months of commercial power plant operations experience.

85% - Non-Navy entry level requirements plus 12 months of commercial power plant operations experience.

90% - Non-Navy entry level requirements plus 18 months of commercial power plant operations experience OR Navy Training with nuclear prototype school completion.

95% - Non-Navy entry level requirements plus 24 months of commercial power plant operations experience OR Navy Training with nuclear prototype school completion plus 6 months of commercial power operations experience.

STARTING PAY RANGE

$47.09 - $59.65 Hourly

This is a bargaining unit position. The selected candidate’s starting hourly rate will be based on qualifications in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Unit Agreement.

INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

This role is eligible to participate in our annual incentive plan. Incentives are earned based on employee performance against defined metrics and company goals.

BENEFITS

Energy Northwest (EN) provides a phenomenal benefits package. Washington State also has no state income tax, and the Tri-Cities provides a cost-of-living lower than the national average.

EN offers substantial retirement benefits through three retirement programs including the Washington State Public Employees’ Retirement System pension plan (PERS), a 401(k) savings plan with an employer match component, and a 457(b) savings plan. EN also offers multiple options for medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance coverage. Other voluntary benefits may include flexible spending accounts (FSAs), tuition reimbursement, student loan repayment, childcare subsides, health reimbursement arrangement (HRA VEBA), health savings account (HSA), supplemental life insurances, credit monitoring/identity theft insurance, and more! Qualifying employees will typically start a personal time accrual rate of 160 hours per year and EN provides nine paid holidays throughout the Calander year; personal time accruals grow significantly at various service intervals.

We are an Equal OpportunityEmployer and do not discriminate due to race, color, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, national origin, veteran status or on the basis of disability.

Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal