Plant Operator Trainee

Alaska Power; Alaska; On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rotating Shift Schedule

401(k) contribution

Paid time off

Insurance: medical, dental, vision

Job summary

Alaska Power is seeking a Plant Operator Trainee to perform essential functions safely under supervision. You will gain experience in outage procedures, recordkeeping, and maintenance on generation equipment. Read electrical drawings, use basic tools, and support operation of power units with day and night shifts across Alaska facilities.

The position offers a 12-hour shift rotation, some nights in Valdez, and a benefits package under the CVEA contract. A high school diploma or GED is required.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or GED is required.
• Power generation or industrial plant experience preferred.
• Ability to read electrical/mechanical drawings and measures.

Responsibilities

• Function under outage conditions with procedures to maximize resources.
• Maintain records on generation, outages, fuel, and reporting changes.
• Provide minor repairs on vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
• Read electrical/mechanical drawings as required for routine maintenance.
• Monitor and control generation units from local and remote controls.
• Enter data on spreadsheets and word documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Safety procedures

Recordkeeping

Reading drawings

Basic math

Education

High school diploma or GED

Relevant power generation/industrial plant experience

Tools

Hand tools

Torque wrenches

Power tools

Job description

The Plant Operator Trainee performs all essential functions and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner using industry best practices. In addition to the specific functions described below, the essential functions of this position also require attendance at all assignments and job sites and the ability to understand and adhere to all safety standards. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

The Plant Operator Trainee is expected to perform the responsibilities of the Plant Operator under the guidance and supervision of experienced plant personnel.

• Ability to function under adverse outage conditions which requires a thorough working knowledge of operating procedures, outage restoration procedures, switching procedures, and maintenance program, as well as normal operating procedures to maximize resources, water, and fuel.
• Must keep up-to-date records on generation units, fuel availability, outages, switching, personnel activities that may affect the operation of the system, and report changes to supervisors per directives and communications.
• Maintain working knowledge of up to date first aid techniques and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Provide minor repair and maintenance on Cooperative vehicles, building grounds, and generation equipment in an efficient and thorough manner.
• Provide minor repair and maintenance on Cooperative’s electrical equipment, including furnaces, boilers, lighting, and generation-related equipment.
• Perform welding, fabrication, and remodeling as directed by the Chief Plant Operator.
• Keep plant and shop area clean and orderly, including parts storage area.
• Proficient in the use of basic hand tools and power tools to maintain equipment.
• Must be able to read and understand electrical/mechanical drawings as required to perform routine maintenance.
• Maintain working knowledge of applicable safety codes.
• Perform maintenance tasks on generation prime movers.
• Monitor and control power generating units using local and remote controls.
• Enter data on electronic spreadsheets and word documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Related Qualifications

Education/Experience

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent is required.
• Relevant power generation or industrial plant experience, including equipment operation and maintenance activities is preferred.

Certification/Licenses Required

• A valid Alaska driver's license is required.

Complete achievement of certain requirements herein may not be required if, in the opinion of the CVEA hiring supervisor, a particular candidate possesses significant offsetting characteristics, such as past accomplishments, experience, and education. Should an applicant be deficient in certain educational achievements, offsetting experience may be substituted or vice versa.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

The Plant Operator Trainee must carry out the following:

• Perform administrative duties to include planning, accurate recordkeeping, and reporting.
• Mechanical requirements include construction, electrical, plumbing, and repairing of facilities.
• Mathematical skills are required for calculating, problem solving, and reasoning in finding solutions.
• Basic reading and writing skills are required for correspondence and comprehension of technical reports.
• Computer and electronic device skills to control equipment, record data, and communicate.

Physical Activities and Demands

This position is considered a heavy work position. The Plant Operator Trainee position includes day and night 12-hour shifts (night shifts are in Valdez only) for seven consecutive days under a week-on-week-off rotation. After a ten-week shift rotation in Glennallen or a thirty-week shift rotation in Valdez, there will be a five-week relief shift of five eight-hour days.

In order to complete the essential functions, the Plant Operator Trainee will be required to perform the following:

• Exertion of force:
  a. Up to 100 pounds of force (O)
  b. Up to 50 pounds of force (F)
  c. Up to 20 pounds of force (C)
• Walk on varying surfaces including snow, ice, mud, gravel, and grease, while carrying equipment and/or supplies. (O)
• Measure fuel levels in outside tanks, shovel snow, access outside steel racks, perform building maintenance, move oil barrels, stock supplies, access parts and tools. (F)
• This position requires “being on your feet” for extended periods of time whether standing, walking, climbing, etc. (C)
• Standing on ground to relay tools to worker on an engine, generator, radiator, etc., or while operating controls, standing by, or during outages or testing. (C)
• Sitting while writing logs, writing/maintaining reports, operating computers or traveling by truck, snow machine, or ATV. (F)
• Operate hand tools, torque wrenches, manual hoist, etc., pull on ropes to obtain tools and equipment from ground to guide objects. (F)
• Reaching:
  a. Overhead with arms extended to operate hoist, guide equipment, etc. (F)
  b. At shoulder level (F)
  c. Below shoulder level to obtain tools and equipment (C)
  d. Removal and installation of valve covers, rocker boxes, and cylinder heads (O)
• Visual, verbal, and written communications (C)
  a. Read control panel, recording measurements (C)
  b. Distinguish colors used in coding (red and green) (C)
  c. Use of phones and 2-way radio (F)
  d. Sense generator operations and alarms (C)
  e. Phone, radio, and coworker communications (C)
• Dexterity to handle nuts and washers, use finger controls to operate torque wrenches and other hand tooling, control panel, voltage control, etc. (C)
• Climb stairs, hills, and ladders on engines with worst case scenario to climb and carry a 230-pound coworker in an emergency. (F)

Per the IBEW contract, the starting salary is 70% of the Plant Operator rate, or $44.35 per hour.

• CVEA maintains an excellent benefits program:
• Rotating Shift Schedule
• 401(K) contribution retirement program
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays

Additional benefits administered through the IBEW:

• Major medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Short-term disability and long-term disability insurance