Power Plant Operator (Smithland Hydroelectric Facility)

American Municipal Power, Inc.; Smithland (KY); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Smithland Hydroelectric Facility is seeking a maintenance-focused operator to monitor and operate the plant on a daily basis. You will function as a control room operator, starting and stopping units and coordinating discharge rates while tracking hourly readings and equipment performance.

Responsibilities include everyday maintenance, safety briefings, updating Maximo work orders, and ensuring reliable power delivery to the grid with minimal interruptions.

Qualifications

• Two-year technical degree or two years experience in plant operations/maintenance or equivalent military experience.
• Ability to read instruction manuals, blueprints, and schematics.
• Knowledge of operation and maintenance of control devices and metering systems in power plants.
• Good problem solving skills, and basic mechanical and electrical skills.
• Ability to stay calm and follow complex instructions during emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Operate as control room operator; start/stop units, coordinate discharge rates, and monitor hourly readings.
• Clean intake debris to maximize head for the units.
• Respond to faults or alarms from the plant control switchboard and clear alarms.
• Assist in maintenance of equipment throughout the plant and transmission lines.
• Assist with operation of oil purification system on a scheduled basis.
• Prepare and update daily logs and Maximo work orders/inventory.
• Suggest improvements to operation manuals, plant procedures, PM plans, and safety procedures.
• Follow environmental and regulatory compliance procedures.
• Perform work to maintain other plant facilities and perform miscellaneous tasks.
• Assist with scheduling and coordinating power delivery to the grid with minimal interruption.
• Prepare daily logs of work performed and plant visitors.
• Deliver plant equipment supplies as needed.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Skills

Control room operation

Reading manuals

Reading blueprints/schematics

PLC experience

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Emergency response calmness

Education

Two-year technical degree in Engineering Technology

Tools

Maximo system

Job description

This position will report out of the Smithland Hydroelectric Facility

Reports To

Operations and Maintenance Supervisor

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Basic Functions

Responsible for the overall daily monitoring and maintenance of the hydroelectric plant.

Essential Functions

1. Functions as a control room operator. Assists or performs the responsibilities associated with starting and stopping units, coordinating unit discharge rates, monitoring and maintaining upstream pool in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers, records and reports operating information such as hourly readings of distribution metering, river flow, unit blade positions, unit temperatures, and dissolved oxygen monitoring equipment.

2. Cleans debris from intake racks utilizing the trash rake, log grabber and other equipment to provide for the maximum head for the units.

3. Acknowledges and responds to faults or alarms from the plant control switchboard and takes appropriate action to clear the associated alarms.

4. Assists in the performance of plant maintenance on equipment throughout the plant and transmission line including, but not limited to pumps, motors, fans, valves, instrumentation, transmission line poles and substations.

5. Assists with the operation of the oil purification system on a scheduled basis.

6. Prepares and updates the daily log of work performed including creating, performing and updating work orders and inventory in the Maximo system.

7. Recommends improvements in operation manuals, plant procedures, preventive maintenance plans, and plant safety including insuring that supervisor and AMP’s safety staff is aware and has been consulted with regard to ongoing maintenance and outage related work activities of staff and outside contractors. Participates in job hazard analysis and pre and post safety briefings and safety discussions for work activities.

8. Executes established environmental and regulatory compliance procedures, ensuring compliance with various state and federal agencies.

9. Performs work necessary to maintain other plant facilities including cleaning, trash removal and other tasks as assigned.

10. Assists with scheduling and coordinating the delivery of power from the hydroelectric plant to grid and ensures that the maximum power is delivered on a minimal interruption basis.

11. Prepares and updates a daily log of work performed, visitors, and general upkeep of the plant.

12. Picks up and delivers plant equipment supplies as needed.

13. Performs other assigned duties.

Knowledge, Skills, & Qualifications

1. Two year technical degree; in Engineering technology ; or two years experience in plant operations and/or maintenance or equivalent military experience.

2. Demonstrates working knowledge of plant equipment and principles of operation.

3. Must demonstrate the ability to read instruction manuals, blueprints, and schematics.

4. Must have knowledge of the operation and maintenance of control devices and recording/metering devices common to power plants.

5. Experience with programmable logic controllers is a plus.

6. Must have good problem solving skills, and basic mechanical and electrical skills.

7. Must have the ability to follow complex oral and written instructions and react calmly during plant emergencies.

8. Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.