Plant Operator

The Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient operation of two supercritical lignite-fired generating units. This role operates, monitors, and controls boiler, turbine-generator, balance-of-plant, and lignite fuel-delivery systems from the control room. The Plant Operator responds to changing unit conditions, alarms, equipment issues, and system disturbances; coordinates unit startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment clearances, and switching activities;

and works closely with field operators, Shift Supervision, maintenance, engineering, and fuel-handling personnel. The role promotes safe, environmentally responsible, and reliable generation in accordance with approved procedures and applicable requirements.

• Operate and monitor two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room.
• Maintain safe, stable, and efficient operation of the boiler, turbine-generator, and associated balance-of-plant systems.
• Monitor DCS indications, alarms, trends, process conditions, equipment performance, and operating parameters.
• Make timely operating decisions in response to changing unit conditions, equipment issues, system disturbances, and abnormal operating situations.
• Execute and coordinate unit startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment clearances, and switching activities in accordance with approved procedures.
• Work closely with field operators to verify equipment conditions and safely execute operating instructions.
• Operate and monitor lignite fuel-delivery systems, including rail unloading, conveyors, transfer equipment, bunkers, feeders, and associated controls.
• Monitor lignite inventory, fuel flow, conveyor performance, feeder operation, and material-handling alarms to maintain a reliable fuel supply to the generating units.
• Coordinate with fuel-handling personnel and Shift Supervision regarding train deliveries, unloading priorities, fuel inventory levels, and lignite-system operating conditions.
• Support the safe startup, shutdown, isolation, clearance, and restoration of lignite fuel-handling equipment.
• Identify abnormal equipment behavior, developing process issues, and fuel-handling concerns before they become significant operating or reliability problems.
• Communicate equipment conditions, operational risks, and plant-status changes clearly to the Shift Supervisor, maintenance personnel, engineers, fuel-handling personnel, and other plant personnel.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, records, and documentation, including unit operating status, fuel-delivery activity, train deliveries, fuel inventory, and lignite-system conditions.
• Support troubleshooting, incident reviews, and root-cause identification following equipment, process, or fuel-system issues.
• Follow all applicable safety, environmental, operating, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in emergency response, drills, training, procedure reviews, and continuous-improvement activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by plant management.

• Minimum of six years of related experience.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience operating utility-scale generating equipment from a control room.
• Understanding of supercritical steam generation and turbine-generator systems.
• Strong knowledge of DCS-based control and monitoring systems.
• Understanding of boiler combustion, steam-water systems, turbine operation, electrical generation, and major auxiliary systems.
• Ability to interpret trends, alarms, operating parameters, equipment indications, and process data to identify developing equipment or process issues.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic operating environment.
• Demonstrated effective oral and verbal communication skills and the ability to work successfully as part of a shift team.
• Ability to follow approved procedures while recognizing equipment or process conditions that are not behaving as expected.
• Strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and reliable generation.
• Ability to maintain accurate operating logs and other required documentation.
• Ability to work without direct supervision in unit upset conditions.

All applicants must be successful candidates on the Plant Operator Selection System/Power Plant Operations and Maintenance ( POSS/MASS ) program to be considered for this position. POSS/MASS…