Apprentice Mechanic Welder

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, Inc.•Craig South Highlands, CO

6d•$41 - $57•Onsite

About The Position

Performs preventive maintenance, repairs, replacements, and installations on mechanical equipment at generating stations, including turbines, pumps, valves, mills, fans, pulverizers, piping, conveyors, and rail cars. Also performs other maintenance work, such as painting and plumbing, as required. The role includes using a preventive maintenance computer program, identifying equipment defects, completing repairs, rebuilding equipment, returning it to service, and documenting maintenance work. It also involves safely operating maintenance equipment and tools and fabricating, installing, and maintaining structural systems using specified welding and cutting processes in accordance with applicable ASME and AWS codes. The employee contributes to plant safety and housekeeping, follows utility-industry regulatory requirements and company policies, and may assist with apprentice instruction and on-the-job training. Reliable performance of essential duties is required to support continuous electric service. The position may require shift work and requires the ability to work overtime at any time of day or week. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent, a valid Colorado Class R driver’s license, and sufficient knowledge and skill in the safe use of mechanics and welding tools. Apprentice candidates must pass the Tri-State Apprentice Mechanic Welder General Knowledge Test with a score of at least 65% and meet one of the specified experience pathways. Coal-fired power plant maintenance experience is preferred. The work involves extensive walking, awkward positions, heights, climbing, heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, and prolonged standing. The work environment may include extreme noise, temperature, fumes, and dust, as well as high and confined spaces.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Satisfactory work record.
Valid Colorado Class R driver’s license, which must be maintained.
Sufficient knowledge and skill in the safe use of mechanics and welding tools.
Strong analytic and diagnostic ability, independent judgment, and ability to follow written procedures.
Ability to work under remote supervision by initiating work plans, reporting them to supervision, a Control Room Operator, or Shift Supervisor, and executing jointly developed plans.
Ability to work independently, analyze situations, and decide when supervision is needed.
Ability to read and interpret gauges, indicators, monitors, and other power-plant equipment devices, identify operating problems, and troubleshoot equipment malfunctions.
Must pass the Tri-State Apprentice Mechanic Welder General Knowledge Test (LMS) with a score of 65% or better.
Must meet one of these apprentice experience pathways: two years of mechanic/welding experience in preventive maintenance, repairs, or installation of heavy industrial mechanical equipment, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; or six months of Tri-State power plant experience.
Must be able to demonstrate the ability to perform essential job functions if required.
Ability to work overtime at any time of day or week.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including extensive walking, twisting, working in awkward positions and at heights, climbing, heavy lifting, bending, kneeling, and standing for extended periods.
Ability to work in environments with extreme noise, temperature, fumes, and dust, and in high or confined spaces.

Nice To Haves

Coal-fired power plant maintenance experience.

Responsibilities

Perform preventive maintenance on mechanical equipment at generating stations, including inspecting equipment, troubleshooting defects, lubricating, cleaning, aligning, checking tolerances and operating parameters, and replacing worn or broken parts.
Use the preventive maintenance computer program to determine which equipment requires inspection or maintenance.
Determine whether equipment clearances are needed and complete the applicable clearance procedures.
Request repair or replacement of equipment when appropriate.
Perform major and minor repairs and install new mechanical equipment, including preparing maintenance requests, identifying required tools, parts, personnel assistance and safety measures, and obtaining clearance orders and hot-work permits as needed.
Prepare work areas and equipment, identify defects, complete repairs or installations, rebuild equipment, return it to service, and complete associated paperwork.
Safely operate respirators, two-way radios, cars and utility vehicles, power and pneumatic tools, gas-powered tools, rigging equipment, overhead cranes, ladders, scaffolding, cutting torches, micrometers, mobile cranes, and skid loaders.
Fabricate, install, and maintain structural systems using specified welding, cutting, and pipe-joining processes to meet applicable ASME Section IX and AWS structural codes.
Perform other maintenance and related duties as assigned, including painting, plumbing, and cleaning areas according to schedule.
Maintain clean work areas and contribute to plant safety by following safety standards and assisting with apprentice instruction and on-the-job training as assigned.
Comply with applicable utility-industry regulatory requirements, company policies, work rules, and written or verbal expectations.
Work reliably and perform essential functions to support continuous electric service; work overtime when required.