Station Control Room Operator Helper

FirstLight Power; Milford (CT); On-site; USD 94,302,000 - 135,677,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings with company match

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Health and wellness reimbursement

Tuition reimbursement

Scholarship program

Employee referral bonus

Volunteer time off benefit

Charitable gift match program

Job summary

FirstLight Power is hiring a Station Control Room Operator Helper in New Milford, CT. You will support the safe and economical operation of the Rocky River Station and learn to operate the Distributed Control System (DCS) for hydroelectric plants.

We offer a total compensation package with benefits and a 12-hour rotating shift schedule that includes holidays and weekends. The role requires mechanical and electrical aptitude and a strong safety mindset.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 3+ years of experience in a plant operations role or related industry.
• Demonstrated mechanical and electrical aptitude.
• Knowledge of safety and environmental regulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Takes initiative to progress/improve functions and equipment.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational and planning skills.
• Self‑starter with high level of initiative and independence; also excels in a team environment.
• Must have a valid, clean driver’s license.
• Must be able to work a schedule based on 24‑hour operations and work 12‑hour shifts including weekends, holidays and evenings and be available to respond to plant emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Station Operator in the operation of plant equipment such as pumps, valves, hydroelectric turbine generators, cooling water system equipment, lubricating oil system equipment, air compressors, and generator braking systems.
• Responsible for the proper operation of complex systems and equipment that can directly affect the safety and operation of the power plant.
• Perform inspection rounds of the plant; recognize and report any equipment problems that jeopardize employee safety and plant operations to the Station Operator and Shift Supervisor; record equipment operational data on plant logs.
• Investigate equipment problems and take the proper actions necessary to correct.
• Operate auxiliary equipment, hydroelectric turbine generators, pumps, manually operate system valves, and clean water and oil strainers.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks, including painting, as directed.
• Perform necessary housekeeping functions to maintain neat and clean conditions around plant equipment, buildings, and site (including outside parking lot sweeping).
• Work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule including holidays, weekends, and nights.
• Available to work overtime when required for field support, outage support, training opportunities and during major events and shift coverage.
• Learn and complete all steps of the Hydro Operator Training progression to become qualified as a Station Operator; participate in other training programs as assigned.
• Develop and attain the ability to operate plant equipment from the Distributed Control System (DCS) at Rocky River Station; operate other hydroelectric plants remotely from the DCS.
• Follow plant operating procedures and closely follow all instructions.
• Act as a team member with all FirstLight employees, displaying a positive attitude and professional behavior.
• Comply with all FirstLight policies and procedures.
• Cary out other duties as assigned

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Electrical aptitude

Safety knowledge

Verbal and written communication

Proficient computer skills

Problem solving

Self-starter

Valid driver’s license

Team player

Willingness to work 12-hour shifts

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

DCS

Job description

About Us

FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America. With a diversified portfolio that includes over 1.65 GW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline with 4+ GW of solar, battery, hydro, onshore wind and offshore wind projects, FirstLight specializes in hybrid solutions that pair hydroelectric, pumped-hydro storage (including Northfield Mountain, the largest energy storage facility in New England), utility‑scale solar, large‑scale battery, and wind assets. The company’s mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid by supporting the development, operation, and integration of renewable energy and storage to meet the world’s growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA, New Milford, CT, Oshawa, ON and Montréal, QC, FirstLight is a steward of more than 14,000 acres and hundreds of miles of shoreline along some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in North America.

FirstLight is wholly owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. We have over 200 employees in Canada and the US with operations based in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ontario and Quebec. In Canada, FirstLight operates through its subsidiaries H2O Power and Hydromega.

We proudly serve our host communities and beyond through our clean energy assets, the recreation spaces we steward, the jobs we produce, and the economic benefit we deliver through our operations and charitable actions.

We are a team of caring, passionate professionals who are driven to deliver positive climate impact and to have fun while doing it! We value diversity, equity and inclusion and encourage people with diverse perspectives, skills and experiences to apply.

Position Detail:

We currently have an opening for an experienced Station Control Room Operator Helper in New Milford, CT. This is a unionized position within the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

The Station Control Room Operator Helper reports to the O&M Supervisor and is responsible for performing duties associated with the safe and economic operation of the Rocky River Station, providing technical and operational support for the assets, handling inspections and maintaining safety protocols.

Our ideal candidate possesses the experience, passion and energy to be a driving force in FirstLight’s continued evolution to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid to meet the clean energy needs of tomorrow.

The compensation for this position falls between $32.93and $47.35per hour. The final compensation offered will depend on several factors that may include, but are not limited to, the type and years of relevant experience, industry-specific experience, relevant education/certifications and geographic location.

Our total compensation package also includes a competitive bonus plus comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings with company match, life insurance, disability benefits, employee assistance program, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, health and wellness reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, scholarship program, employee referral bonus, volunteer time off benefit, charitable gift match program and more.

Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Assist the Station Operator in the operation of plant equipment such as pumps valves, hydroelectric turbine generators, cooling water system equipment, lubricating oil system equipment, air compressors, and generator braking systems
• Responsible for the proper operation of complex systems and equipment that can directly affect the safety and operation of the power plant
• Perform inspection rounds of the plant; Recognize and report any equipment problems that jeopardize employee safety and plant operations to the Station Operator and Shift Supervisor; Record equipment operational data on plant logs
• Investigate equipment problems and take the proper actions necessary to correct
• Operate auxiliary equipment, hydroelectric turbine generators, pumps, manually operate system valves, and clean water and oil strainers
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks, including painting, as directed
• Perform necessary housekeeping functions to maintain neat and clean conditions around plant equipment, buildings, and siteto include outside sweeping of parking lot
• Work a12-hour rotating shift schedule including holidays, weekends, and nights
• Available to work overtime when required for field support, outage support, training opportunities and during major events and shift coverage
• Successfully learn and complete all steps of the established Hydro Operator Training progression program to become qualified as a Station Operator; Participate in and successfully complete other training programs as assigned
• Successfully develop and attain the ability to operate plant equipment from the Distributed Control System (DCS) at Rocky River Station; Successfully develop and attain the ability to operate the other hydroelectric plants remotely from the DCS
• Follow plant operating procedures and closely follow and properly implement all instructions
• Act as a team member with all FirstLight employees, displaying a positive attitude and professional, courteous behavior
• Complies with all FirstLight policies and procedures
• Carries out other duties as assigned

Job Qualifications / Skills

• High School Diploma or equivalent required
• 3+ years of experience in a plant operations role or related industry
• Demonstrated mechanical and electrical aptitude
• Knowledge of safety and environmental regulations
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Takes initiative to progress/improve functions and equipment
• Proficient computer skills
• Strong problem-solving, organizational and planning skills
• Self‑starter with high level of initiative and independence; also excels in a team environment
• Must have a valid, clean driver’s license
• Must be able to work a schedule based on 24‑hour operations and work 12‑hour shifts which will include weekends, holidays and evenings and be available to respond to plant emergencies as required

Physical Requirements

• Working environment is approximately 20% outdoors; 80% indoors
• Must have the ability to meet the highest level of attendance requirements
• Must be physically capable of performing demanding work at heights and with adverse conditions during operations when participating in fire/emergency activities
• Maintain a full range of manual dexterity in a power plant environment with no limitations
• Must be physically capable of entering and working in confined spaces
• Must be able to wear protective equipment which includes hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, safety shoes, fire retardant shirt and pants
• Must be physically capable of working around water including raking intake racks and performing inspections outdoors in all‑weather seasons
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Required to have eyesight corrected to 20/40 to accurately read and interpret instruments and gauges
• Must be physically capable to hear and understand audible alarms, detect changes in noise levels of rotating equipment, and use portable radio communications
• Must be physically capable of climbing stairs and ladders

Why Work for FirstLight?

We consider our employees to be our most valuable resource and we strive to provide a challenging, collegial, and rewarding workplace. FirstLight embraces a company‑wide commitment to recruit, develop, and retain a dedicated, diverse, and engaged workforce that is motivated to be ever better both professionally and personally.

Joining the FirstLight Team is an opportunity to experience a unique and exciting culture. Some of our benefits for eligible employees include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Mental Health Care
• 401(k) with Employer Matching
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Annual Performance Incentive Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Paid Time Off Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Professional Development
• Employee Referral Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Charitable Matching Program & Employer Sponsored Volunteer Program

FirstLight provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, FirstLight complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

FirstLight’s values are: Respect – Integrity – Safety – Excellence – Innovation - Team