Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineer II or III (Power Generation)

Dairyland Power Cooperative•La Crosse, WI

About The Position

The Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineer in Power Generation is responsible to provide analytical and logistic support to develop and maintain plant performance monitoring and testing programs, optimizing the economical and reliable performance of power production equipment and systems. Develop programs that track improved plant performance and initiate actions focused on heat rate training and awareness. Also, direct activities relating to continuing plant optimization of generation facilities. The Impact You'll Make In This Role: ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Lead in developing strategies for improving power plant performance through an effective monitoring program and performance evaluation process. Develop, implement and maintain analytical computer software used to track, evaluate and report plant performance. 2. Provide analytical support to the Fuels Department to help evaluate and select various fuels for power plant combustion. 3. Develop and maintain computer based performance models for each generating unit, which will guide the operations in adjusting process variables within their control to attain best possible power production efficiencies. 4. Coordinate activities to maintain a plant performance database and compile data used in reporting plant performance data for in-house and outside agencies (i.e., GADs, DOE (EIA), MISO, NERC, etc.). 5. Lead in the development and implementation of generation station performance testing, supporting plant performance improvement goals and objectives. Coordinate and oversee periodic power plant testing to develop and update baseline data for tracking of component heat balance and net station heat rate. 6. Be a resource for power plant staff on performance related topics. 7. Conduct thermodynamic analysis of power plant cycles/equipment using computer-modeling techniques where applicable. Identify and work to resolve deviations from standards or operating procedures. Create and publish test results providing information contributing to improved plant performance and efficiencies for plant operators and management. 8. Develop and maintain computer-based performance models, which will guide and attain best possible power production efficiencies. Use and evaluate computer programs to model the impact of operational changes and/or unit modifications on plant operations under the direction of plant management. 9. Initiate, plan, develop and implement performance related capital projects designed to improve and/or address plant performance issues. Perform engineering design calculations and sketches, independently or with technical assistance from staff engineers, consultants, and/or contractors. 10. Supervise testing of performance-related activities of contractors, vendors and assigned DPC staff. 11. Submit and present progress reports for assigned projects. Occasionally discuss with Executive Management, the Board of Directors, or regulatory agencies project summary report data, analysis, and calculations in order to ensure efficiency and expediency of project completion 12. Maintain engineering expertise through continuing education, conference attendance, and cultivation of professional contacts in the power industry. 13. Provide support and mentor other Generation Division engineers and staff. 14. Participate as a team member on multi-department projects or committees. 15. Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

B.S. Degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences with a minimum of five (5) years of experience in project management, plant engineering, operations, or maintenance, demonstrating progressively increasing responsibility and complexity.
Expertise in power plant performance activities, including analysis, modeling, and the use of computer applications.
Proven involvement in project planning, engineering design, and budgeting, with a strong track record of collaborating across diverse departments and divisions within the cooperative, as well as with professional engineers, consultants, contractors, public agencies, and other stakeholders.
Knowledge of power plant operation and thermodynamic modeling and applications.
Well-developed written and oral communication skills.
Management oversight and coordination of plant resources and personnel.
Experience in plant testing and reporting, computer science, engineering economic analysis and power station engineering design, operation and maintenance.
Computer literacy.
Ability to work cooperatively with people at all levels.
Possess or be qualified to attain Professional Engineering Registration.
Valid Driver’s License.

Responsibilities

Lead in developing strategies for improving power plant performance through an effective monitoring program and performance evaluation process.
Develop, implement and maintain analytical computer software used to track, evaluate and report plant performance.
Provide analytical support to the Fuels Department to help evaluate and select various fuels for power plant combustion.
Develop and maintain computer based performance models for each generating unit, which will guide the operations in adjusting process variables within their control to attain best possible power production efficiencies.
Coordinate activities to maintain a plant performance database and compile data used in reporting plant performance data for in-house and outside agencies (i.e., GADs, DOE (EIA), MISO, NERC, etc.).
Lead in the development and implementation of generation station performance testing, supporting plant performance improvement goals and objectives.
Coordinate and oversee periodic power plant testing to develop and update baseline data for tracking of component heat balance and net station heat rate.
Be a resource for power plant staff on performance related topics.
Conduct thermodynamic analysis of power plant cycles/equipment using computer-modeling techniques where applicable.
Identify and work to resolve deviations from standards or operating procedures.
Create and publish test results providing information contributing to improved plant performance and efficiencies for plant operators and management.
Develop and maintain computer-based performance models, which will guide and attain best possible power production efficiencies.
Use and evaluate computer programs to model the impact of operational changes and/or unit modifications on plant operations under the direction of plant management.
Initiate, plan, develop and implement performance related capital projects designed to improve and/or address plant performance issues.
Perform engineering design calculations and sketches, independently or with technical assistance from staff engineers, consultants, and/or contractors.
Supervise testing of performance-related activities of contractors, vendors and assigned DPC staff.
Submit and present progress reports for assigned projects.
Occasionally discuss with Executive Management, the Board of Directors, or regulatory agencies project summary report data, analysis, and calculations in order to ensure efficiency and expediency of project completion
Maintain engineering expertise through continuing education, conference attendance, and cultivation of professional contacts in the power industry.
Provide support and mentor other Generation Division engineers and staff.
Participate as a team member on multi-department projects or committees.
Perform other duties as assigned.