Operations & Maintenance Plant Technician Associate

Ohio's Electric Cooperatives; Convoy (OH); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Ohio's Electric Cooperatives in Convoy, OH seeks an Operations and Maintenance Technician Associate or Intern to join the power plant team. The role works under supervision performing semi-skilled maintenance and operating duties in connection with power plant operation.

Responsibilities include equipment checks, control system troubleshooting, and supporting start-up/shutdown activities. You will contribute to safe, efficient operations while learning regulatory and safety requirements.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Power Plant Technologies, or Industrial Engineering Technology.
• Ability to read prints and specifications; basic testing and troubleshooting.
• Willingness to learn and follow plant procedures and safety rules.

Responsibilities

• Perform semi-skilled maintenance and operating duties under supervision.
• Assist in start-up/shutdown of turbines, generators, boilers, pumps, exciters, transformers.
• Monitor and report abnormal plant conditions and alarms to supervision.
• Assist with environmental, safety and health programs and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Safety awareness

Teamwork

Technical aptitude

Clear communication

Education

Associate degree

Job description

Our Mone/Convoy gas power plant is looking for an Operations and Maintenance Technician Associate or Intern to join the team. This role will work under close supervision, perform semi-skilled manual work, maintenance, and operating duties of a minor or routine nature in connection with power plant operation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Demonstrate ethical behavior and show strong leadership in safe and healthy work behaviors and environmental stewardship. Adhere to proper operating practices and procedures designed to prevent injury, illness, and environmental noncompliance. Observe and comply with governmental and company environmental, safety and health regulations. Maintain and ensure safe working conditions (including housekeeping activities), use of proper tools and equipment, and protective clothing & devices.
• Assist in performing equipment checks to ensure proper safe and efficient operations during the start-up, operation and shutdown of turbines, generators, boilers, pumps, exciters, transformers, switchyard, and auxiliary equipment. Operate valves, pumps, electrical disconnects, breakers and controls, etc. from remote locations as directed. Report all abnormal plant equipment conditions and alarms to lead O&M Technician or supervision.
• Maintain awareness of plant operations in order to optimize unit economics. Record and track discrepancies or errors and coordinate with others. Take immediate necessary actions in case of emergency.
• As directed, assist in monitoring, inspecting, installing, removing, testing, adjusting, calibrating, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical, electronic, instrumentation and plant controls systems and components. Assist and perform simple control system monitoring using a computer interface terminal as directed. Assist in using elementary, schematic, wiring and control diagrams to locate, troubleshoot and repair control systems involving electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic components. Use electrical and instrumentation test equipment to troubleshoot and calibrate plant equipment as directed.
• Operate hoists, fork‑lift truck, small tractors, aerial lifts, scissor lifts, mobile cranes, and automotive equipment. Inspect scaffold and rigging after completion of training and in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Assist in performing basic mechanical maintenance work including, dismantling, rebuilding, adjusting, aligning, packing, and cleaning equipment. Operate welding machine and gas torch to cut, heat, braze and make tack and temporary welds, etc. after completion of training and as directed. Clean and prepare surfaces for painting. Perform painting using brushes or spray equipment. Load, unload, move, open and handle materials, supplies and equipment.
• Operate machine shop and portable machine equipment such as shapers, drill presses and similar machining equipment to produce accurate measurements on all shapes. Master the ability to use appropriate tools and equipment. Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
• Perform basic predictive and preventive maintenance work by inspecting monitoring, lubricating, troubleshooting, and testing plant equipment to determine conditions such as wear, corrosion, and deposits. Perform inspections and basic corrective maintenance activities on plant equipment and components as directed. Assist in conducting tests and inspections to ensure proper operation of the plant.
• Learn how to use the work management systems to initiate, retrieve and update work orders, material requests, PMs, and time entry, etc. Use various computer applications and software programs to extract data and report status to ensure plant reliability and efficiency. Produce, revise, and maintain records, technical reports, procedures, and plant drawings as directed. Assist in conducting investigations and make calculations utilizing computer applications and programs, technical manuals, and procedures, etc. to ensure reliable and efficient plant operations. Assist in preparing required drawings/layouts on projects such as new construction, revisions to existing facilities and all types of power plant equipment.
• Assist in operating, monitoring, maintaining, and calibrating environmental and industrial hygiene equipment (such as emissions monitoring equipment, noise, and gas detection devices, etc.) in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Collect and analyse air, gas, water, and chemical samples as directed.
• Assist the work of other employees and direct contractor work as required. Conduct JSA briefings with plant employees and contractors. Utilize JHAs, MSDSs, etc. and follow established plant and company guidelines in job briefings. Work under the general direction of other O&M Technicians (Senior and/or Principle level) as well as plant supervision.
• As directed, isolate plant equipment and remove stored energy in accordance with the company Clearance Permit Procedure. Assist in obtaining hot work and confined space permits in accordance with company policies to complete work safely.
• Respond to emergency situations as directed. Assist others in maintaining plant security. Maintain proficiency in incipient firefighting, first aid and CPR. Understand and adhere to all SPCC, FRP and emergency response programs.
• Perform work as identified by other O&M Plant Technicians (Senior and/or Principle level) and plant supervision. Report & document safety and health near misses, incidents, accidents, and environmental hazards in accordance with company policies and procedures. Ensure compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations and company policies, procedures, standards and specifications.
• Assist supervision and other O&M Technicians (Senior & Principle level) by preparing sketches and taking notes for layouts/installation of equipment, new construction and remodeling of buildings.
• Attend and actively participate in environmental, safety and health, technical, business and leadership training and meetings. Share knowledge and train/mentor other employees. Report and correct any unsafe actions, conditions or near misses. Responsible for exercising maximum care and good judgment in preventing accidents and protecting the safety and health of fellow workers.
• Assist in managing the site inventory. Assist others in adding/deleting items to inventory and completing required inventory audits.
• Assist others in managing the site environmental program (all site environmental activities and tasks). Complete regulatory tasks under the guidance of other O&M Technicians (Senior & Principle level) and supervision. Assist corporate environmental personnel in preparation of environmental reports.
• Assist others in managing the site safety program. Assist corporate safety personnel in the development and management of new safety policies/procedures. Assist supervision and other O&M Technicians (Senior & Principle level) in revising policies/procedures as necessary.
• Assist others in managing the site NERC compliance program. Assist supervision and other O&M Technicians (Senior & Principle level) in completing NERC compliance tasks and activities.
• Assist supervision and other O&M Technicians (Senior & Principle level) in reviewing & approving site invoices.
• Under the guidance of supervision other O&M Technicians (Senior & Principle level), learn to operate the units. Operate the gas turbine and all plant auxiliaries as required, learn how to do the following: startup, operations, and shutdown of equipment, systems, and the plant in accordance with approved plant procedures. Report findings to the control room and/or supervision. Assist others in making necessary corrections, adjustments and/or repairs.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Associate Degree in Electronics, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, Power Plant Technologies, or Industrial Engineering Technology

Licenses and Certifications

• A physical abilities assessment is also required.
• Must obtain and maintain all necessary certifications and licenses as required.
• Must satisfactorily complete, in such time frames as may be established by the Company, all required training and job demonstrations and pass an examination as determined by the company to advance to the O&M Plant Technician classification in order to remain eligible for continued employment.
• Must possess the appropriate State driver's license.

Experience

• Successful completion of the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) and the Plant Maintenance Selection System (MASS) tests
• A review of Employment Testing Information, Test-Taking Tips, together with the POSS and MASS Practice Tests desired
• Relevant on-the-job experience or education above and beyond that described above may be substituted for part of the experience and/or education requirement

Abilities & Skills

• Ability to work effectively with other employees and contractors and learn to instruct and direct the work of others
• Ability to learn and perform duties in accordance with company rules, policies and procedures, OSHA environmental laws/regulations and applicable operating & maintenance procedures
• Must be able to learn the tools and equipment and their use as required in the work
• Possess the ability to perform required work physically and mentally in an often distracting and multitasking plant environment
• Ability to understand the care and attention required for the safe and efficient operation and maintenance of the equipment to which assigned
• Ability to read, interpret and work from prints and specifications
• Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manager
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers and plant management