Control Room Operator (CRO)

NAES•Agawam, MA

10h•$55 - $64•Onsite

About The Position

The Berkshire Power Plant is a 250 MW natural gas-fired, combined cycle facility featuring a single-shaft gas turbine. The facility utilizes a 340 MVA water- and air-cooled generator driven by both a 150 MW ALSTOM GT-24B gas turbine and an ALSTOM triple-pressure condensing steam turbine, producing an additional 100 MW. The gas turbine exhausts into a dual-pressure reheat Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG), operating at near-critical pressures. Opportunity Summary The Control Room Operator (CRO) at the Berkshire Power Plant oversees the safe and efficient operation of all plant systems, including monitoring, controlling, starting up, and shutting down equipment from the control room while ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety standards. This role requires a valid Second-Class Engineer License under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts License Law and involves managing plant logs, water chemistry, maintenance activities, and responding to alarms or upset conditions. The CRO also supports shift handovers, staff training, and continuous improvement initiatives to optimize plant performance. Your scope of responsibility as Control Room Operator will include the following primary functions:

Requirements

We are seeking a skilled Operator with a foundation in power generation operations, along with a proven ability to support team success and consistently meet performance standards.
Must hold a valid Second-Class Engineer License in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Extensive experience in power plant operations, with a focus on control room management and system monitoring.
Strong understanding of plant equipment, systems, and operational procedures, including turbine generators, combustion turbines, and HRSGs.
Theoretical and practical knowledge of combustion and steam turbine operations, closed system steam generation, electrical theory, controls application, industrial safety, hazardous waste management, and the inspection and recording of plant parameters.
Experience in water chemistry control, analysis of water conditions, water treatment facility operations, and chemical handling requirements.
Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, including the ability to direct and develop team members effectively.
Proven track record of adhering to safety and environmental regulations, with the ability to enforce compliance among team members.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information to management and team members.
Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

Nice To Haves

An Associate degree in Power Plant Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Process Technology, or a related field is preferred. Alternatively, equivalent technical training in industrial maintenance or instrumentation and control is beneficial, though not required. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
Possession of a valid Grade One or higher Wastewater Operator License is preferred.
Preferred experience in the direct operation of a combined cycle large frame gas turbine power plant.

Responsibilities

Responsible for the overall operation of the power plant, including operating, monitoring, inspecting, and controlling all plant parameters from the control room.
Maintain a valid MA Second-Class Engineer License under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts License Law, serving as the operator engineer in charge of the watch.
Operate, monitor, start up, and shut down all plant equipment, including combustion turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, generators, and auxiliary systems, ensuring safe and efficient performance.
Oversee plant water chemistry and provide direction to maintain it within plant guidelines.
Participate in daily preventive, scheduled, and repair maintenance activities in a safe, effective, and timely manner; assist with plant cleanup and housekeeping as directed.
Ensure safe work practices, including lockout/tagout procedures, confined space entry, and hot work permits; supervise personnel and contractors to maintain compliance with safety standards.
Actively participate in NAES Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Compliance Programs, promoting a strong safety culture and adhering to all safety and environmental rules.
Complete and maintain daily logs, plant and state logbooks, and other records documenting electrical and steam output, emissions, fuel and water consumption, heat rates, and operational activities accurately and timely.
Enter work orders and other relevant data into the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), maintain inventories, and perform other CMMS tasks as directed.
Review logs, records, and operational data periodically to ensure effective procedures, identify trends, and recommend improvements to plant operation.
Monitor plant equipment performance, respond to alarms, and report abnormalities to ensure timely corrective actions.
Assist in managing plant upset conditions, including containment, control, and corrective actions as required.
Conduct thorough and accurate shift handovers, briefing incoming personnel on plant issues and concerns.
Assist in staff training and development initiatives to enhance operational competency.
Execute tasks assigned by the Operations Manager, contributing to the plant’s operational success.