Power Plant Operator (Cannelton Hydroelectric Facility)

About the role

This position reports to the Operations and Maintenance Supervisor at the Cannelton Hydroelectric Facility and is responsible for the overall daily monitoring and maintenance of the hydroelectric plant.

Responsibilities

• Functions as a control room operator, assisting or performing duties related to starting and stopping units, coordinating unit discharge rates, and monitoring/maintaining upstream pool in cooperation with the Army Corps of Engineers.
• Records and reports operating information such as hourly readings of distribution metering, river flow, unit blade positions, unit temperatures, and dissolved oxygen monitoring equipment.
• Cleans debris from intake racks using the trash rake, log grabber, and other equipment to maximize head for the units.
• Acknowledges and responds to faults or alarms from the plant control switchboard, taking appropriate action to clear alarms.
• Assists in plant maintenance on equipment throughout the plant and transmission line, including pumps, motors, fans, valves, instrumentation, transmission line poles, and substations.
• Operates the oil purification system on a scheduled basis.
• Prepares and updates the daily log of work performed, including creating, performing, and updating work orders and inventory in the Maximo system.
• Recommends improvements in operation manuals, plant procedures, preventive maintenance plans, and plant safety, ensuring consultation with supervisors and safety staff regarding maintenance and outage-related work.
• Participates in job hazard analysis, pre- and post-safety briefings, and safety discussions for work activities.
• Executes established environmental and regulatory compliance procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal agencies.
• Maintains other plant facilities, including cleaning, trash removal, and other assigned tasks.
• Assists with scheduling and coordinating power delivery from the hydroelectric plant to the grid, ensuring minimal interruptions.
• Prepares and updates a daily log of work performed, visitors, and general plant upkeep.
• Picks up and delivers plant equipment and supplies as needed.
• Performs other assigned duties.

Requirements

• Two-year technical degree in Engineering Technology or two years of experience in plant operations and/or maintenance, or equivalent military experience.
• Working knowledge of plant equipment and principles of operation.
• Ability to read instruction manuals, blueprints, and schematics.
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of control devices and recording/metering devices common to power plants.
• Experience with programmable logic controllers is a plus.
• Good problem-solving skills and basic mechanical and electrical skills.
• Ability to follow complex oral and written instructions and react calmly during plant emergencies.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Welding certification is a plus.