Plant Technician-Instrument & Control

Primary Purpose & Summary

Performs installation, testing, calibration, troubleshooting and repair activities on a variety of electrical/pneumatic equipment relating to the processes involved in the operation of a power generation facility. These activities are performed on new and existing equipment such as process instrumentation, water chemistry equipment, DCS (Ovation) and PLC (Allen Bradley) instrumentation and controls. Activities are on both AC and DC equipment and systems with voltages of 24/48vdc and 120 vac.

Responsibilities

• Install, inspect, maintain, and repair process equipment.
• Perform critical instrument calibrations.
• Work with both AC and DC electrical equipment.
• Follow all safety policies and procedures.
• Subject to possible holiday and weekend work along with the possibility of short notice overtime.

Skills/Competencies

• Familiar with and able to use various test equipment such as multimeters, process calibrators, and pneumatic testing equipment.
• Able to read and understand electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, and one-line drawings.
• Understand the operation and use of programmable logic control (PLC).
• Familiar with DCS systems process monitoring.
• Have a working knowledge of process control and monitoring equipment such as pressure, temperature, level transmitters and switches, various thermocouple and RTD devices, and PH and ORP transmitters and probes.
• Familiar with standard 4-20 ma process systems.
• Familiar with CEM systems a plus.
• Familiar with digital logic gate programming functions (And gate, Or gate, Function blocks, etc.) a plus.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative and effective working relationship with others.
• Able to respond to unplanned call-ins, weekend work, and work schedule changes.

Education & Experience Required

• Five years related work experience (e.g., evaluation and testing of generating plant and substation power equipment) or equivalent combination of formal education/training and experience.
• Experience in report preparation.
• Working knowledge of mathematics.
• Able to read and interpret electrical schematics and drawings is preferred.
• Knowledge and application of safety procedures and practices involving work on and around low and medium voltage equipment.
• Demonstrated reliability and responsibility and the ability to make quick and effective technical decisions.

Licenses/Certifications Required

• Possession of a valid driver’s license and ability to meet Company driving standards.

Physical & Mental Demands

• The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Physical Demands:
• At the Power Plant facility and in/out door environment, must be able to work in adverse conditions that may include, but not be limited to the following: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to climb stairs, ladders, and work on elevated platforms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time. Must be able to lift 45 pounds overhead and 75 pounds from the floor to 36 inches. Must be willing to travel to other facilities if needed.
• Mental Demands:
• While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills, read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve complex problems, observe and interpret situations, use math and mathematical reasoning; deal with changing, intensive deadlines, and interact with internal and external clients. Must be able to concentrate while under time constraints.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and wet or humid conditions.
• The employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
• Exposure to hazards associated with power and hand tools, dust, fumes, high pressure steam, high temperatures and confined spaces; and may be regularly subject to external environmental conditions such as cold, heat dust, snow or noise and fumes from equipment or chemicals.
• Occupationally hazardous noise exposure may occur in the power plant or other locations where heavy industrial equipment is in use.