Control Room Operator; CRO

Pay or Shift Range

Pay or shift range: $35 USD to $58 USD The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Sandy Creek Energy Station is a 900-megawatt coal-fired power plant located in Riesel, Texas. It features a single IHI supercritical pulverized coal boiler, a Toshiba steam turbine generator, and Alstom air-quality control systems, making it one of the largest new coal plants in the United States. The plant primarily utilizes Powder River Basin coal and has the capacity to generate electricity for over 900,000 Texas homes and businesses.

The Control Room Operator (CRO) at Sandy Creek Energy Station monitors and controls plant systems to support safe, reliable, and efficient power generation. The CRO responds to alarms and abnormal conditions, directs appropriate corrective actions, and performs plant start-up and shutdown activities in accordance with established procedures.

This position monitors generation and dispatch requirements, operates equipment within established limits, and supports the testing, inspection, troubleshooting, and maintenance of plant equipment and systems.

• Operate and oversee plant systems and equipment safely and efficiently in accordance with operating procedures, established limits, and applicable safety and regulatory requirements.
• Execute plant start-up, normal operation, shutdown, and emergency procedures while responding appropriately to alarms, equipment issues, and abnormal plant conditions.
• Respond to electrical, steam, and fuel dispatch instructions while maintaining required generation and plant operating conditions.
• Evaluate plant performance, equipment status, chemistry, instrumentation, and operating parameters; identify problems and initiate or direct appropriate corrective actions.
• Take appropriate emergency actions to maintain electrical service, protect personnel, and safeguard plant equipment.
• Administer and issue equipment tag-outs as authorized and ensure compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and other plant safety requirements.
• Provide operational direction to Assistant Plant Operators (APOs) regarding field activities and adjustments necessary to maintain plant conditions, equipment operation, and chemistry requirements.
• Participate in preventive, scheduled, and corrective maintenance activities, including equipment inspections, testing, troubleshooting, and minor maintenance as assigned.
• Document operating activities through accurate logs, readings, records, and reports; communicate equipment issues, upset conditions, and significant operating events to the Shift Supervisor.
• Utilize P&IDs, electrical drawings, schematics, control logic, equipment manuals, and other technical documentation to support troubleshooting and safe plant operation.

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

The CRO reports to the Shift Supervisor, provides operational direction to Assistant Plant Operators, and works closely with operations, maintenance, technical personnel, and engineering to support safe and reliable plant operation.

Work is performed in a coal-fired power plant environment and includes standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, and working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights. Regular lifting of materials and equipment up to 50 pounds is required.

Duties may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling coal, ash, and other materials associated with plant operations.…