Thermal Operator- Control Room Operator

Ahlstrom; Windsor Locks (CT); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ahlstrom Power Windsor Locks is seeking a Control Room Operator to manage the Cogeneration Facility from the Control Room and Water Lab area. You will operate the DCS, test water chemistry, and respond to emergencies without supervision.

The role includes rotating shifts, holidays, and assisting with outages and maintenance to sustain peak reliability. The ideal candidate has 5–7 years in Steam Plant Operations, strong problem solving, and solid communication skills.

Qualifications

• High School or vocational training equivalent.
• 5–7 years experience in Steam Plant Operations.
• Ability to respond to emergencies without supervision.

Responsibilities

• Operate the Cogeneration Facility from the Control Room and Water Lab area.
• Operate the DCS and monitor process parameters.
• Maintain safety and environmental standards during shifts.
• Coordinate with Plant Equipment Operator and maintenance during outages.
• Prepare and close work orders and document operating data.
• Assist contractors and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

Mental acuity

Manual dexterity

Decision making

Communication

Organizational skills

Independence

Problem solving

On-call readiness

Education

High School / Vocational Training

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Pi data software

Job description

Ahlstrom Power Windsor Locks

Job Title: Control Room Operator

Job Description: Required to have overall responsibility for the operation of the Cogeneration Facility, while being restricted to the Control Room and adjacent Water Lab area. Required to operate the Distributive Control System (DCS), perform water testing and be capable of communication with the Plant Equipment Operator. Must be fully oriented to the Cogeneration operations and capable of responding to emergency situations without supervision. Ability to work a rotating shift schedule including holidays. Assist in maintenance during scheduled outages. Assist as required in solving complex operating and maintenance problems and must be capable of rapid decision making in emergency situations, such as unplanned equipment outages/failures.

• Ensure operating plans are carried out to provide optimum efficiency in operations, considering operating constraints including the project contracts.

Supervise and direct overall activities of shift personnel, including employee development through training

Qualifications

EDUCATION: High School, Vocational Training (or equivalent).

EXPERIENCE: 5 – 7 years experience in Steam Plant Operations. Secondary skills

around maintenance.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Work environment requires performance within the 2nd floor Control Room area. Mental acuity and manual dexterity is required to perform tasks, observe environmental and safety requirements, read and comprehend technical manuals, engineering prints and diagrams. Required to fully comprehend the operation of all the equipment within the Cogeneration Facility. Required to operate the individual equipment in a manner to achieve Design Operating Philosophy, while maintaining the optimum reliability and efficiency. During maintenance outages, exposed to inherent industrial power plant conditions and must use ladders, cranes, hoists, industrial trucks and material handling equipment. Must be capable of unassisted handling of materials up to 50 pounds. If required, you must be able to work any shift, weekends, holidays and respond to call-ins during off shift hours. Required to be on call during off shift hours.

Essential

FUNCTIONS:

• Operation of the facility/equipment in accordance with:
• All regulatory permits and laws
• The site Operation Manual (which will have a list of plant specific job functions that must be completed)
• The Energy Services Agreement.
• OHSA
• All the relevant safety standards of Ahlstrom Power
• The Supplier Equipment manuals and/or Manual of good practice
• Monitor established operating parameters of the Gas/Steam Turbines, Generator, HRSG, balance of plant equipment including chemistries, and environmental permits.
• Operate the power plant and take appropriate actions to safeguard shift personnel and equipment when parameters are exceeded and/or if they may inhibit plant operation per shift orders
• Work closely with assigned personnel to ensure that all shift responsibilities including the assigned Preventative Maintenance tasks and planned activities per the shift orders are completed as scheduled.
• Collect and accurately record all operating data, making note of unusual or suspicious information per procedure and contacting appropriate management personnel when necessary. Initiate actions necessary to maintain overall plant availability and improve operating efficiency of the plant facilities.
• Prepare equipment for maintenance and/or tag out and isolation in accordance with set procedures and guidelines of established safety procedures to support the operating plan. Communicate and interface with maintenance personnel and others as appropriate.
• Prepare, develop, review, and train personnel on all operating procedures required to efficiently and safely operate the plant.
• Routine monitoring and data acquisition of all equipment and systems.
• Prepare and close work orders as required.
• Technical knowledge in one or more of the following disciplines: Electrical, Instrumentation and Control, Operation, Mechanical and/or Hydraulics
• Ability to learn new techniques, skills and work methods
• Show Initiative and Ingenuity
• Have good decision-making abilities and critical thinking.
• Strong organizational & time management skills
• Ability to accept accountability and responsibility for their own actions
• Patience, thoroughness, & independence
• Ability to solve problems, desire to investigate, analytical thinking
• Be able to communicate in an effective and professional manner, both in speaking and in email
• Be available to work flexible hours depending on the job or situation
• Being able to adapt to change and spot changes in your environment
• Assist and/or direct outside contractors with plant maintenance/repairs
• Assist in instilling a culture of continuous improvement, an active role in pride of ownership, and teamwork.
• Water Testing: responsible for the understanding of the plant water treatment program. Maintaining proper chemistry by testing and making necessary adjustments and recommendations. testing, data acquisition, knowledge of process and limits, troubleshooting and corrective action.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Assist in troubleshooting and system development projects.
• Proficient in the following software:
• Microsoft Word,
• Outlook,
• Excel.
• Pi data software.
• A solid understanding of “Safety First” and the ability to apply these principles to every job or situation
• Ability to perform work alone and independently
• Perform other duties/tasks as directed by management
• Oversee the work carried out by facility staff or contractors as the Person In Charge

Ahlstrom is a global leader in combining fibers into sustainable specialty materials. Our purpose is to Purify and Protect, with Every Fiber, for a Sustainable World. We aim to be the Preferred Sustainable Specialty Materials Company for all our stakeholders. Our Filtration and Life Sciences, Food and Consumer Packaging, and Protective Materials segments, along with the Performance Materials Cluster, address global trends with safe and sustainable solutions. Our net sales in 2025 amounted to EUR 2.9 billion and we employ some 7,000 people. Read more at