Auxiliary Operator / Operator Trainee

Talen Energy•Berwick, PA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Auxiliary Operator / Operator Trainee works at Talen Energy’s Freedom facility in Berwick, Pennsylvania, supporting operation and maintenance of a combined-cycle power generating facility. The role performs system inspections, equipment maintenance and repairs, plant upgrades, water chemistry monitoring, and operating duties with minimal guidance or assistance as directed by and in coordination with the Lead. Candidates must have vocational training and/or mechanical experience; 2–4 years of power plant experience is preferred. The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent. An associate degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school is preferred. The work includes following regulatory procedures, facility safety programs, and environmental permits, and being available for a 12-hour rotating shift, call-ins, and overtime as needed. The employee must be authorized to work in the USA.

Requirements

Vocational training and mechanical experience for the trainee role.
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, written records, and routine reports.
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.
Mechanical, instrumentation, and electrical equipment knowledge.
Ability to troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical equipment problems and resolve them in a timely manner.
Proficiency in repairing, replacing, dismantling, and inspecting equipment such as pumps, valves, fans, gearboxes, demineralizers, compressors, and turbine components.
Ability to operate welding and cutting equipment and complete metal fabrication projects.
Water chemistry proficiency.
Ability to set up and operate a drill press, pipe-threading machine, grinder, and other tools.
Ability to walk, reach, climb, and lift up to 50 pounds.
Willingness to work a 12-hour rotating shift and be available for call-ins and overtime as needed.
Must be authorized to work in the USA.

Nice To Haves

2–4 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.
Perform inspections of plant systems and monitor operating conditions.
Maintain equipment by tightening fittings and replacing valve packing, gaskets, valves, and gauges; clean, replace, oil, and lubricate components as needed.
Read meters, gauges, and automatic devices and record equipment temperature, vibration, operating hours, pressure, fluid levels, and water chemistry.
Maintain facility and control-room cleanliness and appearance, including housekeeping and painting projects.
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 change-outs.
Keep the Manager informed of unusual plant conditions and job progress when assigned on shift.
Order chemicals through established vendors.
Use the facility’s computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
Assist the Manager with plant inventory management and audits.
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 analysis of failures.
Operate heavy equipment such as man lifts and forklifts 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, coordinating 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.
Read, understand, and comply with regulatory procedures, facility safety programs, and environmental permits.
Write routine reports, operating procedures, work requests, and written records; communicate tasks and needs and train other personnel.
Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, replace, dismantle, and inspect defective plant equipment and parts.
Operate welding and cutting equipment and complete metal fabrication projects.
Set up and operate a drill press, pipe-threading machine, grinder, and other tools to make or repair parts and equipment.