Powerhouse Operator

Primary Function

Operate turbo generators and auxiliary equipment.

Analyze and treat boiler water.

Maintain compliance with ISO quality system responsibilities.

• Conduct the business of Turbine Operator in a professional manner that minimizes hazardous exposure of personnel and equipment. Follow the Plant and Department Safety Rules and perform those duties to maintain a safe, clean, environmentally compliant and cost effective operation.
• Receive direction from First Boiler Operator to assist in the efforts to deliver energy to the other departments in an efficient and cost effective manner.
• Start up, operate and shut down turbine generators and ancillary equipment, Power plant switchboards, compressed air equipment and control electric utility energy and power factor in a cost effective manner.
• Perform operational adjustments and routine shift by shift maintenance on Turbine Room equipment to insure a continuous supply of electricity, steam, compressed air and water to each operating department. Maintain all operating parameters: voltage levels, steam temperatures and pressures, and air within pressure and dew point specifications.
• Perform operational checks and maintain written records of temperatures, pressures, flows, levels and vibration to insure equipment is operating within design parameters and good operating practice.
• Perform all regular overspeed, over and under pressure, level and backup equipment checks and maintain a written record of each.
• Determine when electric reduction to a department is necessary and communicate directly with operating departments to perform load shedding if necessary to maintain the Power House operation.
• Assist Boiler Operators to shut down equipment quickly and orderly when process upsets cause out of specification operation or continued operation will place employees and/or equipment at risk.
• Interact with maintenance to insure a continuous supply of energy to the operating departments.
• Insure that there is always a sufficient supply of in specification water to the boilers to accommodate any process steam load up to the limit of the boiler steam generating capability.
• Respond to boiler shutdowns or startups with the appropriate chemical addition to the boilers that are being brought on line or removed from service.
• Water specifications are to be insured by making periodic tests of chemical residuals at all points of water conditioning, supply or use. Test results are to be kept by manual or electronic means to permit historical tending of the data.
• Make adjustment to chemical feeds at each step of the boiler water conditioning process based on laboratory tests, boiler loads and operating conditions.
• Insure that chemical residuals in the boilers are within specified limits at all times and that corrective action is made in a timely fashion whether by addition or reduction of chemical feeds, increase or decrease blow down levels by automatic, manual remote or local methods.
• Insure that effluent discharged from the Power House to Lake Manistee meets environmental requirements and that equipment installed to monitor discharge water is operating.
• Assist chemical delivery personnel in the off loading of chemicals for the Power House.
• Make verbal and/or written reports of any unusual conditions and /or maintenance needs to the First Boiler Operator and/or supervisor.
• The Turbine Operator is to perform miscellaneous duties as required in his area of responsibility.
• May be assigned to perform tasks, either with or without the assistance of maintenance employees and with or without tools, provided the employee possesses the necessary skills to perform the job safely in the manner deemed necessary.

• High School Graduate or GED.
• Two out of last four years must have worked full or part-time.
• Successful candidate must be willing to work swing and graveyard shifts, along with required overtime as needed.
• Must have a strong safety background and a good attendance record.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills are essential.
• Must be able to push, pull, bend, and twist repetitively.
• Have an understanding that both temperatures and work volume…