Power Plant Operators

Also called: Asphalt Plant Operator, Auxiliary Equipment Tender, Auxiliary Operator, Auxiliary Power Equipment Operator, Batch Plant Operator

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Power plant operators control, operate or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
Operate, control, or monitor equipment, such as acid or gas carbon dioxide removal units, carbon dioxide compressors, or pipelines, to capture, store, or transport carbon dioxide exhaust.
Operate, control, or monitor gasifiers or related equipment, such as coolers, water quenches, water gas shifts reactors, or sulfur recovery units, to produce syngas or electricity from coal.
Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal.
Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.
Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.
Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.
Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.
Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
Repair or replace gas piping.
Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.
Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.

Work Context

Work Context information for this career will be available soon.

Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Detailed Work Activities

Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Operate energy distribution equipment.
Operate energy production equipment.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Operate pumping systems or equipment.

Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Operation Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Perceptual Speed

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Auditory Attention

The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

Time Sharing

The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).

Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.

They do well at jobs that need:

Achievement/Effort

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self Control

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

Microsoft Excel

Office suite software

Microsoft Office

Electronic mail software

Microsoft Outlook
Email software

Presentation software

Microsoft PowerPoint

Word processing software

Microsoft Word

Data base user interface and query software

Microsoft Access

Industrial control software

Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Siemens Power Plant Automation SPPA
Siemens Teleperm
Teknik Segala OSI Plant Information PI System
Safety instrumented system SIS software
Continuous emissions monitoring systems CEMS
Distributed control system DCS
Emerson Ovation
Gas field monitoring system software
General Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCS
General Electric Mark VI Integrated Control System ICS
Interlock shutdown systems
Yokogawa FAST/TOOLS

Internet browser software

Web browser software

Facilities management software

Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

Analytical or scientific software

Landtec System Software LFG Pro
Landfill gas analysis software

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