Plant Operator Trainee

Dairyland Power Cooperative; Alma (WI); On-site; USD 28,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Dairyland Power Cooperative in Alma, WI seeks a Plant Operator Trainee to complete training requirements toward the Plant Operator role while performing essential plant tasks. The trainee will gain hands-on experience across turbine/generator systems, operate valves and electrical switches, and participate in safety programs.

Responsibilities include outage maintenance, housekeeping, procedure updates, and rotating through Areas I–III to learn the plant’s operations safely and efficiently.

Qualifications

• Must read and understand procedures, blueprints, and technical information.
• Must be computer literate and able to navigate Windows-based programs.

Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance during outages.
• Perform housekeeping to keep plant clean and hazard-free.
• Complete Plant Operator Trainee requirements for Areas I–III.
• Operate valve, switches, and equipment up to specified pressures and voltages.
• Rotate through operating areas to maintain plant systems knowledge.
• Assist with drafting and updating operating procedures.

Skills

Procedures reading

Blueprints understanding

Critical thinking

Reading comprehension

Windows literacy

Education

Associate degree or 2-year diploma in related field

Tools

Windows

Job description

PLANT OPERATOR TRAINEE (ALMA, WI)

The Plant Operator Trainee is responsible to timely complete all training requirements leading to the Plant Operator position, while performing the essential job functions of steps as completed.

The Plant Operator Trainee is responsible to timely complete all training requirements leading to the Plant Operator position, while performing the essential job functions of steps as completed.

The Impact You’ll Make In This Role:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Perform maintenance during outages.
• Perform housekeeping activities to keep the plant clean, orderly, and free from hazards.
• Perform other duties as assigned. Attain a thorough working knowledge of equipment, procedures, policies, and safety rules by active participation in training programs.
• Complete requirements as Plant Operator Trainee Area III and be responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and surveillance of designated turbine/generator auxiliaries, steam generator auxiliaries and other assigned plant auxiliary equipment per the Operator training program.
• Complete requirements as Plant Operator Trainee Area II and be responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and surveillance of the turbine/generator, steam generator and other assigned plant auxiliary systems per the Operator training program.
• Complete requirements as Plant Operator Trainee Area I and be responsible for the coordinated operation of the turbine generator and steam generator in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner per the Operator training program.
• Required to be capable of performing the following operational functions: Operate manual and automatic valves that could range in size from ¼” to 24” and range in pressure from negative to 2,000 PSI. Be able to distinguish colors, especially the difference between red, green, and yellow. Be able to use tools such as long handled scrapers to clean coal systems. Must be able to identify differences in sound levels to find equipment problems. Operate electrical switches and breakers up to 24,000 volts.
• Initiates maintenance request for repair of equipment.
• As you become qualified, rotate through the operating areas routinely to maintain knowledge of plant systems.
• Assist with drafting and updating operating procedures by reviewing, editing and initiating as needed.
• Responsible for understanding and following DPC policies, plant operating policies and procedures, lockout/tagout procedure, environmental guidelines, safety programs, Hazardous Substance Emergency Plan and all state and federal reporting and permit requirements.

Your Experience and Expertise:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience:

(Internal Candidates) - Associate Degree or two (2) year diploma in directly related field or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

Applicant must have a background in industrial operations, computer software, maintenance, electrical or instrumentation and possess basic mechanical, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills. Applicant must complete a state-approved Plant Operator apprenticeship program within three (3) years of entering the position.

(External Candidates) - Associate Degree or two (2) year diploma in directly related field or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

Applicant must have a background in industrial operations, computer software, maintenance, electrical or instrumentation and possess basic mechanical, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills. Applicant must complete a state-approved Plant Operator apprenticeship program within three (3) years of entering the position.

Skills:

Must be able to read and understand procedures, blueprints, and technical information. Must be computer literate and be able to navigate through windows-based programs.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands:

Sitting, standing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, twisting upper body, walking, bending, reaching, stretching, writing, hearing, speaking, seeing, fingering, grasping, climbing (stairs, ladders, sky climber, confined spaces), pushing, pulling, lifting (up to 75 pounds; 40 pounds frequently). Become trained and operate scissor lifts and forklifts as required. Must have the ability to wear protective equipment (safety glasses, hard hat, respirators, etc.). Must have the ability to become respirator certified.

Environmental Demands:

Work indoors and outdoors, occasionally in extreme cold, heat, and temperature swings, and often in extreme noise. Work around mechanical and electrical hazards, and occasionally work around fumes/odors, dust, chemical and toxic waste hazards.

Other Job Characteristics:

Team-oriented crews working rotating shifts. Off-duty availability. Frequent interaction with co-workers. Work overtime as required.