Operations & Maintenance Technician - Trainee

talenenergy; United States; On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Talen Energy is seeking a skilled Power Plant Operator to join our team. You will operate and maintain a combined cycle generating facility, using DCS and PLCs to control processes and record data, while following safety and environmental rules.

Responsibilities include equipment rounds, recording measurements, assisting with maintenance, and contributing to outage planning and continuous improvement. A strong focus on teamwork and documentation is essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree in power generation or related field preferred.
• 2–4 years of power plant operations experience.
• Experience with GE Mark VIe DCS is a plus.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain a combined cycle generating facility per procedures.
• Use DCS/PLC to control plant processes and log data.
• Perform equipment rounds, readings, and water chemistry analysis.
• Ensure safety and regulatory compliance (NERC, HSE).
• Support outage planning and CMMS data entry.
• Maintain spare parts inventory and housekeeping.

Skills

Power plant operations

Emergency decision making

Reading drawings/one-lines/ P&IDs

MS Office

Clear communication

Education

High School diploma

Associate degree in power generation/related

Tools

GE Mark VIe DCS

CMMS

Job description

Duties and Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains a combined cycle generating facility and all associated auxiliary and support equipment with minimal guidance or assistance.
• Proficient at operating the plant via a remote distributed control system (DCS) and programmable logic controllers (PLC).
• This position requires making operating decisions based on plant, safety, and environmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and using good judgment based on available operating data.
• Strictly adheres to all safety and environmental rules and regulations to protect employees and public safety.
• Conducts equipment rounds, logs, checklists, and water chemistry analysis to ensure equipment and systems are operating at peak performance.
• Reads meters, gauges, or automatic devices to record data such as pressures, temperatures, fluid levels, vibration, hours of operation, pressure, and fluid levels, water chemistry to verify operating conditions.
• Operate the facility during start-up, shutdown, normal and emergency conditions in accordance with operating procedures and instructions.
• Support activities to maintain compliance with all administrative, operational, NERC, HSE and other regulatory programs and procedures.
• Fully supports the use of a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) by demonstrating proficiency in using the system and entering data consistent with the facility maintenance philosophy.
• Records equipment discrepancies in detail on work orders and documents maintenance actions taken.
• Executes corrective and preventive maintenance work orders in a timely and high-quality manner.
• Shows diligence in documenting spare parts usage and re-ordering.
• Works closely with water treatment services provider in optimizing steam cycle chemistry performance.
• Responsible for ordering chemicals through established vendors.
• Maintains equipment by tightening fittings, replacing valve packing, gaskets, valves, gauges, etc. and cleaning, replacing, oiling, and lubricating other component parts and equipment as required.
• Opens and closes valves and breakers as required for proper system operation and mechanical and electrical isolation.
• Performs capital project and/or major program responsibilities as assigned by the Lead OMT or Operations Manager.
• Assists other OMTs in repairing and maintaining plant equipment.
• Assists in performing CEMS calibrations and gas bottle change outs.
• Perform general housekeeping and continuous improvement of the appearance of the facility.
• Maintain the cleanliness of all areas of the plant and control room, or other duties as assigned.
• Ensure all accidents, incidents, near misses, and potential hazards are immediately reported to Facility Management.
• Keeps the Lead OMT and/or Facility Management fully informed of unusual plant conditions and current job progress as it relates to facility operations when assigned on-shift.
• Works with Facility Management in managing the facility's spare parts inventory, performing audits as needed.
• Supports outage planning and scheduling involvement as needed.
• Assist with development of Operations and Maintenance procedures as assigned.
• Supports the Operator training and qualification program. Ability to qualify as a Control Room Operator and Auxiliary Operator in accordance with established training procedures.
• Assist with performing Root Cause Analysis of failures.
• May operate plant equipment such manlift and forklift.
• Reads, understands, and complies with all regulatory procedures, permits and safety programs.
• Will support an atmosphere of employee involvement, trust, and motivation through employee mentoring, participation, empowerment, collaboration, and training.
• Foster a team culture which is flexible and adaptable to change, striving for continuous improvement in the accomplishment of work.

Required Skills / Knowledge

• Demonstrates knowledge of power plant operations or related industry.
• Demonstrates the ability to make competent decisions in emergency situations.
• Capable of writing operating procedures, work requests, and written records.
• Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel and Word.
• Demonstrates the ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical one-lines, logic drawings, technical manuals, and P&IDs.

Experience

• 2 to 4 years related or industry experience and/or training; or a combination of experience and/or education preferred.
• Knowledge of advanced technology gas turbines, steam turbines, single shaft arrangements and commissioning experience is preferred but not required.
• Power Plant Control Room Operator experience is a plus.
• Experience with GE Mark VIe DCS is a plus.

Education Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's degree (AA) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school is preferred. Education in power generation, mechanical maintenance, electrical maintenance or instrument and controls is a plus.
• Possessio