Auxiliary Operator / Operator Trainee

Talen Energy•Berwick, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Auxiliary Operator / Operator Trainee works at Talen Energy’s Freedom facility in Berwick, Pennsylvania, operating and maintaining equipment at a combined-cycle power generating facility. The role performs system inspections, equipment maintenance, piping and conduit installation, water chemistry analysis, and support for plant projects and operations. Trainees must have vocational training and mechanical experience; power plant experience of 2–4 years is preferred. The position requires knowledge of power plant operations, mechanical, instrumentation, and electrical equipment, and the ability to troubleshoot and repair plant equipment. The employee must follow facility safety programs, regulatory procedures, and environmental permits. A high school diploma or equivalent is required; an associate degree or equivalent technical-school education is preferred. The schedule involves 12-hour rotating shifts, with availability for call-ins and overtime as needed. Candidates must be authorized to work in the USA.

Requirements

Vocational training and mechanical experience for the trainee position.
High school diploma or equivalent.
Knowledge of power plant operations.
Ability to make competent decisions in emergency situations.
Ability to write operating procedures, work requests, and written records.
Good verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel and Word.
Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical one-lines, logic drawings, technical manuals, and P&IDs.
Ability to write routine reports, solve practical problems, communicate tasks and needs clearly, and train other personnel.
Knowledge of mechanical, instrumentation, and electrical equipment.
Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical equipment problems and apply timely resolutions.
Ability to repair, replace, dismantle, and inspect plant equipment and parts, including pumps, valves, fans, gearboxes, demineralizers, compressors, and turbine components.
Ability to operate welding and cutting equipment and complete metal fabrication projects.
Proficiency in water chemistry.
Ability to set up and operate a drill press, pipe threading machine, grinder, and other tools used to make and repair parts and equipment.
Ability to walk, reach, climb, and lift up to 50 pounds.
Willingness to work 12-hour rotating shifts and be available for call-ins and overtime as needed.
Authorization to work in the USA.

Nice To Haves

Two to four years of power plant experience.
Associate degree (AA) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.

Responsibilities

Install piping and conduit for plant system upgrades and modifications.
Operate demineralizers, compressors, turbine components, and other combined-cycle facility equipment with minimal guidance, as directed and in coordination with the Lead.
Perform inspections of systems throughout the plant.
Maintain equipment, including tightening fittings and replacing valve packing, gaskets, valves, and gauges; clean, replace, oil, and lubricate components as required.
Read meters, gauges, and automatic devices, and record operating data including temperatures, vibration, operating hours, pressure, fluid levels, and water chemistry.
Perform housekeeping and facility appearance improvements, including painting; maintain cleanliness in plant areas and the control room.
Perform capital project and major program responsibilities as assigned by Plant Management.
Coordinate purchasing with personnel and vendors to support timely equipment repairs.
Identify and resolve CEMS problems and assist with calibrations and gas bottle changes.
When assigned on shift, keep the Manager informed of unusual plant conditions and job progress related to facility operations.
Order chemicals through established vendors.
Use the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
Work with the Manager to manage plant inventory and perform audits as needed.
Open and close circuit breakers as required for system operation and electrical isolation.
Participate in outage planning and scheduling.
Assist with developing Operations and Maintenance procedures and administering the Operator training program.
Assist with root cause analyses of failures.
Operate heavy equipment such as a man lift and forklift, as needed.
Perform water chemistry analysis on HRSG, auxiliary boiler, and cooling tower systems; maintain chemistry within control ranges by adjusting chemical feed and/or blowdown rates, in coordination with the plant chemist, operations, and the water treatment vendor.
Operate the demineralized water system according to OEM and plant procedures, and monitor water quality against acceptable limits.
Read, understand, and comply with regulatory procedures and facility safety programs, and follow plant environmental permits.