Combined Cycle Operator I

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About the role

We are seeking qualified individuals to operate and maintain the power generating facility at the P.L. Bartow Combined Cycle Power Plant in St. Petersburg, Florida. The plant is a 4x1 Combined Cycle facility utilizing Siemens SGT6-5000F (WD501FD3) combustion turbines with Ultra Low NOx burners, dual fuel capability, power augmentation, and evaporative coolers. The steam generators are duct-fired with Selective Catalytic Reduction for NOx removal and feature hydraulically actuated bypass dampers for conversion to simple cycle operation during HRSG operation.

This position requires the incumbent to have been qualified as a control board operator at a power generation station (journeyman operator) and to demonstrate a progression skill level of competence in Instrumentation and Control (I&C), Mechanical, and Electrical maintenance fields (Maintenance Progression).

Responsibilities

• Provide safe and reliable start-up, operation, and continuous monitoring of HRSGs, electric generators, steam and electrical distribution systems, steam turbines, and auxiliary equipment.
• Monitor continuous control processes in both a control room environment and through physical plant inspections to ensure normal operation.
• Make necessary equipment adjustments, log significant observations, record daily meter readings, and maintain daily operating logs.
• Understand basic chemistry and perform laboratory water analysis.
• Perform maintenance progression-level tasks associated with combustion turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, and balance of plant equipment, including preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and minor repairs.
• Electrical Maintenance: Troubleshoot and correct electrical problems, including switchgear, motors, breakers, and plant wiring; use high-tech electronic test equipment and precision instruments.
• Mechanical Maintenance: Troubleshoot and correct mechanical problems involving combustion turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, pumps, compressors, valves, and rotating equipment; perform alignment, basic machining, rigging, and equipment inspection/repair.
• Instrumentation & Control: Troubleshoot, calibrate, repair, tune, and replace sophisticated I&C equipment; maintain the plant Distributed Control System (DCS) and related equipment.
• Training and instructional assignments in:
  • Board watch (monitor and maintain plant parameters, spot emergency conditions, protect safety and equipment, coordinate unit dispatch).
  • Routine site rounds and maintenance of the control center log.
  • Ensuring proper Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
  • Coordination with operations and maintenance personnel, including vendors.
  • Basic troubleshooting and repair of plant equipment; identification of equipment needing journeyman repair and preparation of work orders.
  • Water chemistry duties, including sampling, analysis, and routine analyzer calibrations.
• Compliance with safety standards, environmental regulations, operational efficiency, and unit reliability.

Requirements

• High School diploma or GED equivalent.
• Three years of directly related experience as a journeyman power station operator (solar, wind, or hydro experience does not apply), or three years of ancillary power operations experience in a military context.
• Completion of the Operator Development Program.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Achieve test-recommended score on the Edison Electrical Institute (EEI) MASS (I&C level) and POSS tests.
• Weight restriction of 275 pounds as an essential function of the job.
• Must live within one (1) hour travel time of the plant.
• Must be able to work rotating shifts to cover a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation, including callouts and long working hours.
• Ability to work around rotating and energized equipment, outdoors and indoors, in hot and cold temperature extremes under limited supervision.

Qualifications

• Qualified as a Control Board Operator (Journeyman operator level) at a power generation station.
• Fully competent in power station operations and well-versed in thermodynamics.
• Qualified as a Combined Cycle Control Board Operator at a power generation station (external candidates).
• Well-developed oral and written communication skills.
• Self-starter with interest in training, personal development, and teamwork in a multi-discipline environment.
• Vocational, technical, or military training in electrical, instrumentation, and mechanical areas.
• Three years’ experience working in a combined cycle position within a utility environment.
• Complete understanding of power station water chemistry functions and applications (e.g., sampling, analysis, instrument calibrations).
• Ability to successfully complete the Combined Cycle Operator Development Program.

Skills

• Excellent analysis and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and maintenance of electrical, mechanical, and I&C systems.

Working Conditions

• Onsite mobility classification with exposure to rotating and energized equipment.
• Work in hot and cold temperature extremes, both indoors and outdoors.
• Travel requirements: 5-15%.

Relocation assistance provided (as applicable). This is a represented/union position (Main IBEW Florida Union). This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.