Control Room Operator; 2nd Class Engineer

Company:
Sprague Resources

Location:

Fitchburg, MA

The CRO is the shift lead and is responsible for the safe and efficient, day‑to‑day operation of the power plant. This includes the daily operation, monitoring and documentation of the various plant process components, instrumentation and other feedback to control interfaces of the control room in order to access proper operational function. The CRO must be able to operate the PLC‑based control system as well as some of the control room’s older analog systems.

The CRO monitors and documents all process variables that pertain to plant performance and system/component reliability and capacity and must be qualified and capable of understanding the correct operation of plant system’s mechanical, electrical and instrumentation/controls components and process flow, and be able to perform corrective action when appropriate. A heightened level of safety awareness and process awareness is required to be able to determine when to call in appropriate support from the plant maintenance and management team as needed.

The CRO must be proficient in clear communication with plant personnel, including the shift team and other onsite personnel during process upset situations, and be comfortable with making decisions that will affect the plant process.

• Start‑up, operate, shut down and secure equipment under normal and emergency conditions from the control room or in the field.
• Troubleshoot and perform basic mechanical skills to assist the facility team with preventative and reactive maintenance activities.
• Understand the process and process components in order to be able to properly access and carry out equipment and system’s proper lock out‑tagout (LOTO), de‑energization, zero energy verification, etc.
• Ensure all plant rounds are completed for the inspections of all facility machinery for malfunctions and / or potential failures.
• Maintain all logs and records as required to record complete operating conditions for the facility and report any irregularities.
• Understand, perform and ensure the completion of facility water chemistry testing and the active dosing and adjustment of control treatment chemicals within recommended limits. Repair and calibrate equipment as required.
• Identify hazardous and/or unsafe conditions or work practices, notify supervisor and take action to correct as required.
• Understand process controls, monitor equipment and evaluate the plant production equipment and output, including efficiency and related variables.
• Monitor process variable feedback from controls (temperature, pressure, flow, etc.) for long‑term variances from normal trends and respond to the variances and issue instructions to ensure continued safe, reliable, and cost‑effective power generation while maintaining environmental standards.
• Perform and ensure the routine preventive maintenance of components associated with ash removal, boiler and fuel systems, valves, pumps and other system components.
• Develop and maintain operating procedures to ensure consistent and safe operation.
• Conduct or assist in scheduled and forced outage maintenance work.
• Supervise, coordinate or assist contractors performing work at the facility.

• Valid driver’s license.
• Power plant operations and/or maintenance experience is required.
• Must possess a Massachusetts 2nd Class Engineer License.
• 1 or 2 years of related experience and/or training in a similar position.
• Knowledge of combustion conditions, gas burner and boiler and turbine generator operations, and water treatment.
• Basic computer skills, including data entry.
• Basic math skills.
• Good verbal communication skills are essential.
• Must be cooperative with those he/she contacts in this work and can work without direct supervision.
• Must know the hazards involved and the safety precautions to be practiced in the operation and maintenance of power plant equipment and machinery.
• Must work within and ensure strict adherence to all safety practices and procedures.
• Must be a committed team member and be able to pool our knowledge and energy to work in tandem to fully understand…