Control Technician Jr. - Sr.

American Electric Power • Winfield, WV

2d • $35 - $53 • Onsite

About The Position

This role involves technical and specialized work in connection with electrical and control systems. Responsibilities include the analysis, detection, and repair of single loop control systems, electronic devices, communication systems, and instruments such as meters, gauges, and regulators. The position also requires assisting others in making tests, surveys, and layout work, and developing reports documenting results. The job posting outlines requirements for three levels: Junior, Journeyman, and Senior Control Technician, each with increasing levels of responsibility and expertise.

Requirements

• Two year Associates degree in electronics or a qualifying Engineering or Science, or high school diploma with two or more years of related military experience, or a high school diploma 5 or more years of related industrial technical electrical or controls experience.
• Must have the knowledge and skill necessary to perform work in the installation, inspection, repair, adjustment, calibration and servicing of instruments and controls.
• Must be able to read, interpret and work from simple prints, sketches and specifications.
• Must be able to work effectively with other employees and learn to instruct and direct other employees.
• Must have demonstrated the ability to physically and mentally perform work in all areas and heights required.
• Must possess the appropriate State driver's license.
• Successful completion of the Plant Maintenance Selection System (MASS) test is required for this position.
• A physical abilities assessment is also required for this position.
• Perform duties in accordance with all federal, state, local and company environmental, safety and health regulations, policies, procedures, rules and practices.
• Report unsafe conditions, practices, irregularities and abnormal conditions to appropriate supervision. Stop all unsafe work.
• Will need to become knowledgeable of OSHA, Regulatory, and Environmental guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Must have performed the duties of, and maintained all the qualifications of Control Technician-Junior and must be able to pass an examination and/or qualification demonstrations as determined by the Company.
• Must have sufficient experience in the use of power industrial instrumentation to have a working knowledge of process control, and be able to inspect, repair, tune, and modify single element control loops.
• Must have the working knowledge and skill needed to calibrate and adjust plant instruments and controls, and be capable of detecting and making repairs to control systems.
• Must be able to perform necessary engineering calculations for test results, reports, performance and records.
• Must be able to read, interpret and work from moderately complex prints and specifications.
• Must have a working knowledge of equipment and clearance procedures, and the rules, safety practices and procedures applicable to the work.
• Must have a working knowledge of OSHA, Regulatory, and Environmental guidelines, policies, and procedures.
• Must be able to lead and direct other employees and obtain cooperation and satisfactory work results.
• Must have performed the duties of, and maintained all the qualifications of Control Technician and must be able to pass an examination and/or qualification demonstrations as determined by the Company.
• 10,000 hours of power plant experience, of which 6,000 hours spent as a Control Technician or equivalent.
• Must possess the ability to work with complex and complicated systems and problems with little or no direction.

Nice To Haves

• A review of Employment Testing Information, Test-Taking Tips, and the POSS Practice Test may be helpful. A link to these materials may be found at AEP.com Careers by selecting Employment testing.

Responsibilities

• Assist in locating and repairing defects in control systems involving electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic components, using elementary, wiring, schematic, logic or control diagrams.
• Assist in low and medium voltage circuit breaker electrical /mechanical interlock checks, repairs and adjustments that are associated with breakers and plant electrical control and distribution systems.
• Assist in or perform preventive maintenance and repair activities on equipment such as: batteries, motors, compressed air systems, fork-lifts, electric heaters, HVAC systems, etc.
• Make required equipment checks and inspections. Record data, assist in performing tests and prepare reports, graphs, sketches and curves. Compile and record data relating to projects, tests, investigations.
• Assist others in engineering layouts and preparing data for engineering procedures, specifications, contracts, bills of materials and requisitions for the installation, maintenance and operation of equipment if applicable.
• Use the work management system to locate or request parts, create work requests/work orders, search and record work histories if applicable.
• As directed, request and accept permits to insure that equipment to be worked on has been properly cleared and tagged.
• Assist in installing and removing grounds as directed.
• Perform similar or less skilled work as assigned.
• Locate and repair defects in complex control systems involving electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic or hydraulic components, using elementary, wiring, schematic, logic or control diagrams, along with an extensive knowledge of process control.
• Adjust, repair, maintain and troubleshoot complex electronic equipment such as multiple element relays, computer operated boiler and turbine controls, generator excitation equipment, CEMS monitors and control systems, and the complete analog and digital computer systems to the computer termination cabinets using appropriate documentation and various test equipment such as integrated circuit card testers , digital meters, etc.
• Perform low, medium, and high voltage circuit breaker electrical /mechanical interlock checks, repairs and adjustments that are associated with breakers and plant electrical control and distribution systems.
• Perform complex control diagnostics and revisions on distributive control systems (DCS) using logic drawings to identify/locate hardware addresses and/or correlate to physical wiring location. Build live trends and force I/O, retrieve data from the data collection and storage system.
• Diagnose trouble and maintain electrical equipment in the performance of duties such as inspect and repair faults on transformers, auxiliary and protective relays , circuit breakers, switchgear, disconnects, conveyors, motors, generators; make calculations of power and power factor for three-phase circuits; analyze circuits by use of prints or special instruments such as voltage or circuit tester ; correct circuit unbalance; install, repair and relocate switchboard control panels and wiring ; make and terminate cable connections. Make electrical circuit breaker trip checks to determine operating performance of power distribution system. Place and remove protective grounds in accordance with clearance orders or switching instructions.
• Perform complex control diagnostics and revisions on programmable logic control systems (PLC) including forcing I/O, locating hardware addresses, locating Input/Output point addresses. Build or modify complex programming logic. Document any changes made thoroughly by preparing reports that define the changes made.
• Perform mathematical calculations in accordance with established procedures such as those required in determining heat rate and in analyzing three-phase AC circuits. Calculate fault current for overcurrent protection. Observe operation of and record readings on controlling, indicating and recording devices and compare with established standards or specifications relating to the equipment 's prescribed function, to determine if normal sequence of operations is performed. Prepare reports to define and document the changes that were made and the development of the reasons for the modification.
• Install and functionally test new and replacement equipment.
• Complete and learn from job demonstrations. Instruct and facilitate training of others. Train for emergency response situations as required.
• Place and remove protective grounds in accordance with clearance orders or switching instructions.
• Direct the work of employees assigned to assist. Assist employees as required and perform similar or less skilled work as assigned.
• Install, remove, inspect, adjust, repair and calibrate instrumentation not associated with active trips such as: pressure, temperature, flow, gas analyzing, transmitting, receiving, recording, chemical testing devices and other equipment as assigned. Make simple circuit analysis and repair relays, electronic devices, meters, communication components and similar circuits.
• As directed, perform simple control system monitoring and program modifications using a computer interface terminal and available monitoring systems including installed data historians as well as stand-alone data collection systems. Includes but is not limited to control diagnostics on distributed control systems (DCS) and control diagnostics and troubleshooting of programmable logic control systems (PLC). Complete technical calculations as necessary to support modifications, and document all changes.
• Complete control loop and input output checks on new and replacement equipment.

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree