Operations Specialist

American Electric Power; Jenks (OK); On-site; USD 88,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking an Operations Specialist to lead plant activities, optimize safe and efficient generation, and implement improvements across operations and training. The role involves coordinating startups/shutdowns, contributing to LEAN initiatives, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

The position requires strong collaboration with production and plant teams, experience in power plant operations, and ability to work 12-hour shifts including

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from ABET-accredited institution with 6 years of power plant operations experience
• High school diploma or GED with 8 years of power plant operations experience

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and operational support to Energy Production and other plant groups.
• Assist in developing and maintaining normal, startup/shutdown, and emergency operating procedures.
• Participate in the development and delivery of operating training and related programs.
• Support plant safety and environmental compliance activities in accordance with company policies and governmental regulations.
• Provide support for unit startups and shutdowns under direction.
• Assist with LEAN initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support operational excellence initiatives through data gathering, monitoring, and reporting.
• Provide assistance with clearance permits and outage planning activities.
• Collaborate with plant personnel and departments to ensure safe and reliable operations.
• Perform assigned operational and administrative tasks to support plant performance.
• Perform work in accordance with the Corporate Code of Ethics.
• Respond to callouts and support plant availability as needed.
• Develop technical, troubleshooting, organizational, and communication skills.
• Perform systems walkdowns for basic assessments and troubleshooting.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to assist with presentations or training sessions.

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

High school diploma/GED

Job description

Job Posting End Date

09-25-2026

Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

Job Summary

Responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating and directing plant activities including plant operations to maximize the safe and efficient generation of electrical power . Analyze and implement improvements to plant operations, maintenance and design in order to maintain optimum economy in the operation of the plant. Oversee an/or provide plant's operator training and assessment activities , unit startups, ISO/RTO activities related to plant operations . Communicates with production ops.

Essential Job Functions & Tasks

• Provide technical and operational support to Energy Production and other plant groups, as assigned.
• Assist in developing and maintaining normal, startup/shutdown, and emergency operating procedures.
• Participate in the development and delivery of operating training and related programs.
• Support plant safety and environmental compliance activities in accordance with company policies and governmental regulations.
• Provide support for unit startups and shutdowns under direction. Assist with LEAN initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support operational excellence initiatives through data gathering, monitoring, and reporting.
• Provide assistance with clearance permits and outage planning activities.
• Collaborate with plant personnel and departments to ensure safe and reliable operations.
• Perform assigned operational and administrative tasks to support plant performance.
• Perform work in accordance with the Corporate Code of Ethics.
• Respond to callouts and support plant availability as needed.
• Develop technical, troubleshooting, organizational, and communication skills.
• Perform systems walkdowns for basic assessments and troubleshooting.
• Ability to work 12-hour shifts, including days, nights, and weekends.
• Ability to assist with presentations or training sessions.

What You’ll Get For An Operation Specialist Associate:

$87,633 - $131,453

What You’ll Get For An Operation Specialist:

$98,993 - $158,383

What You’ll Get For An Operation Specialist Senior:

$116,255 - $186,010

Basic Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET accredited institution or related technical field and 6 years of power plant operations experience; OR
• High school diploma/GED and 8 years of power plant operations experience

Experience:

Refer to Education section

Licenses/Certifications:

N/A

Compensation Data

Compensation Grade:

SP20-007

Compensation Range:

$87,633.00 - $151,132.50

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.