Operations Technician

vst; Odessa (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Odessa Ector Power Plant in Texas seeks a Control Room Operator to safely and reliably run plant systems, perform startups and load changes, and respond to alarms and emergencies.

You will monitor DCS, coordinate with the Control Room Coordinator, maintain logs and plant chemistry, and develop required qualifications including Water Plant Operator, Auxiliary Plant Operator, and CRO.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Willingness to complete OEPP operator qualification program.
• Ability to work rotating 12-hour day and night shifts, overtime, and outages.

Responsibilities

• Operate gas turbines, steam turbine, generators, and water-treatment systems per procedures.
• Monitor plant conditions via DCS, alarms, trends, and field indications; respond to abnormal conditions.
• Perform startups, shutdowns, load changes, and other operations under supervision.
• Respond to upsets, trips, alarms, and emergencies; communicate status and needs.
• Maintain logs, permits, event documentation, and shift turnover information.
• Collect samples and maintain proper plant chemistry; report results as needed.
• Coordinate maintenance and operations activities; verify plant configuration.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Computer literacy

Learning plant control systems

Safety awareness

Shift work flexibility

Education

High school diploma or GED

OEPP qualification program (WPO/APO/CRO)

Tools

DCS systems

Electronic log systems

Work-management systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Control Room Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of Odessa Ector Power Plant. The role monitors and controls plant systems from the control room and in the field; performs startups, shutdowns, and load changes; responds to abnormal and emergency conditions; and supports water treatment, plant chemistry, maintenance, and performance activities. This position reports to the Operations Manager and normally works under the day-to-day direction of the Control Room Coordinator. The successful candidate must complete and maintain qualification as a Water Plant Operator, Auxiliary Plant Operator, and Control Room Operator in accordance with the plant qualification program

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate the gas turbines, steam turbine, generators, water-treatment systems, and associated balance-of-plant equipment in accordance with approved procedures, operating limits, and dispatch requirements.


• Monitor plant conditions through the distributed control system (DCS), alarms, trends, field indications, and operator rounds; identify abnormal conditions and take timely, appropriate action.


• Perform plant startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment transfers, and other evolutions safely and efficiently under the direction of the Control Room Coordinator.


• Respond promptly to plant upsets, equipment failures, trips, alarms, and emergencies; stabilize plant conditions and communicate status, risks, and resource needs.


• Maintain awareness of market and dispatch conditions, plant capability, equipment limitations, and maintenance status; coordinate operating decisions with the Control Room Coordinator.


• Conduct field rounds and complete accurate equipment logs. Identify adverse trends, deficiencies, and emerging equipment problems, and initiate or support corrective action.


• Collect water and process samples, perform required testing, maintain proper plant chemistry control, and communicate results requiring review or action.


• Complete clear, accurate, and timely operating records, including logbook entries, electronic logs, work permits, event documentation, and shift-turnover information.


• Coordinate operations and maintenance activities, including equipment releases, clearances, return-to-service testing, and verification of plant configuration.


• Perform preventive maintenance and minor operator maintenance tasks within assigned qualifications and plant procedures.


• Follow all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including lockout/tagout, work-control, and applicable hazardous-work permitting processes.


• Review operating procedures and training materials, identify needed improvements, and support procedure revisions and continuous-improvement activities.


• Maintain required qualifications and complete assigned training. Develop the knowledge and capabilities needed to support or provide relief coverage for the Control Room Coordinator when formally qualified and designated.


• Perform other duties consistent with the position and operational needs of the plant.

Performance Expectations

• Demonstrate safe, conservative, and procedure-driven decision-making.


• Support environmental compliance and accurate, complete operating records.


• Promote reliable plant operation by preventing avoidable trips and identifying equipment issues early.


• Support plant availability, efficient startups, operating efficiency, and responsible cost control without compromising safety or compliance.


• Communicate effectively across shifts and work collaboratively with operations, maintenance, management, and support personnel.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.


• Ability to successfully complete the OEPP operator qualification program through the WPO, APO, and CRO positions.


• Ability and willingness to work rotating 12-hour day and night shifts, overtime, emergency call-ins, and outage assignments.


• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to provide clear work direction, complete permits, document plant conditions, and conduct thorough shift turnovers.


• Basic computer proficiency and the ability to learn plant control, electronic log, work-management, and administrative systems.


• Ability to exercise sound judgment, work effectively with limited supervision, and respond appropriately during abnormal or emergency conditions.


• Ability to successfully complete required pre-employment controlled-substance screening and other applicable employment requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of control-room or board-operator experience.


• Three or more years of combined-cycle power-plant operating experience.


• Experience operating gas turbines, steam turbines, generators, and balance-of-plan