Assistant Unit Operator (AUO) - Probationary - 518904

About the role

Probationary Assistant Unit Operator (AUO) at the Cumberland Fossil Plant in Cumberland City, TN. The position reports to the unit operator (immediate supervision) and the shift operations supervisor (general supervision) and may involve supervising students, trainees, or other employees as assigned. The appointment includes an 18‑month probationary period. Posting open: 9/27/2026; closes: 9/29/2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

Responsibilities

• Follow established operating procedures; deviate only as directed.
• Perform assigned routine inspections and manipulative operations without close supervision.
• Perform more difficult manipulative operations under observation or direct communication with the unit operator or supervision.
• Assist in the operation of plant equipment and make routine inspections.
• Respond and participate as a qualified member of the plant fire brigade and hazardous material response team.
• Assist in the operation of turbo‑generator units and appurtenant equipment in the boiler room, turbine room, condenser room, screen, and pump house.
• At the pumping station, be directly responsible to plant supervision for the operation of all equipment located at the station.
• Operate equipment from a central control board or local manual/automatic control stations.
• May be assigned to work in other plant or fuel‑handling departments as directed.
• Support outage activities, preventive/predictive activities, and procedure writing.
• Conduct routine inspection tours of equipment in the assigned area.
• Spend time wiping, cleaning, and maintaining the assigned area in a clean and orderly condition.
• Assist in instructing and training student operators, trainees, or others; teach plant safety rules and technical aspects of plant operation.
• Document daily activities and assist in recording instrument readings for plant operation records.
• Place protective tags and perform electrical/mechanical switching and valving as part of the TVA clearance process.

Qualifications

• Fundamental knowledge of power plant systems and operations, with the ability to apply this knowledge in emergencies and routine operations.
• Minimum of 3 years of steam plant operating experience in a position similar to TVA’s assistant unit operator or operator.
• Training and education comparable to the Joint Training Program; differences assessed by the Joint Training Team.
• Must satisfactorily complete the Assistant Unit Operator Clearance and Tagging Training per the recognized operator’s training plan.
• Must be qualified to TVA standards ensuring all regulatory requirements of the electric utility business are satisfied.
• May be required to respond and participate as a member of the fire brigade, first responder, and hazardous material response team.

Benefits