Control Room Operator (CRO)

NAES•Hubbard, TX

54d•$54 - $64•Onsite

About The Position

The Control Room Operator (CRO) at the APEX Power Co Project is responsible for safely starting up, operating, and shutting down all plant equipment while continuously monitoring turbines, engines, auxiliary systems, and energy storage devices (BESS). The CRO promptly addresses alarms and abnormal conditions, taking corrective actions and prioritizing critical alarms to ensure safe and reliable operations. This role also adjusts plant operations to optimize performance and fuel efficiency, coordinates generation output to meet grid requirements, and maintains accurate operational records while following all safety, environmental, and operational procedures. As Control Room Operator, your responsibilities specific to the Pre-Commissioning Phase include the following functions: Participate in training and familiarize yourself with plant systems, SCADA/DCS controls, operating manuals, and safety and environmental procedures. Verify equipment readiness, alarms, interlocks, and control systems, supporting cold and hot commissioning tests while assisting commissioning engineers and technical teams with functional testing, system startups, and troubleshooting. Accurately document pre-commissioning test results, observations, and equipment status to support regulatory compliance, future operations, and operational readiness. Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and engineering teams to ensure all pre-commissioning activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with plant procedures and regulations. Your scope of responsibility as Control Room Operator will include the following primary functions: Follow all safety, operational, and environmental procedures, participate in NAES compliance programs, and ensure accurate regulatory reporting and documentation in accordance with company and legal requirements. Maintain secure access to SCADA/DCS and other control systems, protecting operational data, safeguarding controls, and promptly reporting any cybersecurity or system integrity concerns. Safely start, operate, and shut down all plant equipment, including turbines, engines, auxiliary systems, and energy storage devices (BESS), managing charge/discharge cycles, state-of-charge, and adherence to safety and manufacturer guidelines, according to approved operational procedures. Continuously monitor plant systems and equipment, respond immediately to alarms or irregular conditions, and prioritize critical alarms to maintain safe and reliable operations. Adjust plant operations to optimize fuel efficiency, reduce operational costs, and maintain overall reliability. Respond to emergency and abnormal plant conditions by following established procedures, coordinating with safety and technical personnel to mitigate risks and restore operations. Coordinate generation output to support grid stability, data center reliability, and variable load requirements, maintaining clear communication with grid operators and dispatch centers. Maintain accurate daily logs and operational records, documenting electrical output, steam output, emissions, fuel and water usage, and other performance metrics. Conduct thorough shift handovers, communicating plant status, operational issues, and ongoing actions to incoming personnel while collaborating effectively with maintenance and engineering teams. Assist in diagnosing and resolving equipment failures or process anomalies, participating in troubleshooting, corrective actions, preventive maintenance activities, and planned outage coordination, including Lockout/Tagout procedures. Monitor operational trends, analyze performance data, and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, reliability, and overall plant performance. Support operator development and cross-training initiatives, mentoring team members to strengthen skills and knowledge. Execute additional assigned tasks as needed, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable plant operation in accordance with established policies and procedures.

Requirements

Extensive experience in power plant operations, with a strong focus on control room management, system monitoring, and use of SCADA/DCS across a variety of gas turbine technologies and plant configurations.
Strong understanding of plant equipment, systems, and operational procedures, including turbine generators, combustion turbines, HRSGs, and auxiliary systems, with proven ability to monitor performance, respond to alarms, and optimize operational efficiency and fuel usage.
Theoretical and practical knowledge of combustion and steam turbine operations, closed system steam generation, 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.

Responsibilities

Participate in training and familiarize yourself with plant systems, SCADA/DCS controls, operating manuals, and safety and environmental procedures.
Verify equipment readiness, alarms, interlocks, and control systems, supporting cold and hot commissioning tests while assisting commissioning engineers and technical teams with functional testing, system startups, and troubleshooting.
Accurately document pre-commissioning test results, observations, and equipment status to support regulatory compliance, future operations, and operational readiness.
Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and engineering teams to ensure all pre-commissioning activities are conducted safely, efficiently, and in compliance with plant procedures and regulations.
Follow all safety, operational, and environmental procedures, participate in NAES compliance programs, and ensure accurate regulatory reporting and documentation in accordance with company and legal requirements.
Maintain secure access to SCADA/DCS and other control systems, protecting operational data, safeguarding controls, and promptly reporting any cybersecurity or system integrity concerns.
Safely start, operate, and shut down all plant equipment, including turbines, engines, auxiliary systems, and energy storage devices (BESS), managing charge/discharge cycles, state-of-charge, and adherence to safety and manufacturer guidelines, according to approved operational procedures.
Continuously monitor plant systems and equipment, respond immediately to alarms or irregular conditions, and prioritize critical alarms to maintain safe and reliable operations.
Adjust plant operations to optimize fuel efficiency, reduce operational costs, and maintain overall reliability.
Respond to emergency and abnormal plant conditions by following established procedures, coordinating with safety and technical personnel to mitigate risks and restore operations.
Coordinate generation output to support grid stability, data center reliability, and variable load requirements, maintaining clear communication with grid operators and dispatch centers.
Maintain accurate daily logs and operational records, documenting electrical output, steam output, emissions, fuel and water usage, and other performance metrics.
Conduct thorough shift handovers, communicating plant status, operational issues, and ongoing actions to incoming personnel while collaborating effectively with maintenance and engineering teams.
Assist in diagnosing and resolving equipment failures or process anomalies, participating in troubleshooting, corrective actions, preventive maintenance activities, and planned outage coordination, including Lockout/Tagout procedures.
Monitor operational trends, analyze performance data, and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, reliability, and overall plant performance.
Support operator development and cross-training initiatives, mentoring team members to strengthen skills and knowledge.
Execute additional assigned tasks as needed, ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable plant operation in accordance with established policies and procedures.