Equipment Operator Jr. - Equipment Operator

American Electric Power•New Haven, WV

20h•$26 - $43

About The Position

The Equipment Operator Junior performs semi-skilled manual work, maintenance, and operating duties related to power plant operation, as assigned. Duties may vary by line of progression, including Operations, Maintenance, or Coal Yard. The position requires completing company-established training and demonstrating competency to advance into a designated progression or vacate the Equipment Operator-Junior classification. The employee must learn applicable operating instructions and procedures, safety practices, tools, and equipment, and gain a working knowledge of OSHA and environmental guidelines. Work includes inspecting, cleaning, maintaining, and operating plant equipment and systems; handling materials and operating material-handling equipment; assisting with boiler and auxiliary operation; monitoring plant conditions; and carrying out routine plant cleaning. The role follows company safety rules and operating practices and may include assignments in firefighting, first aid, and other emergency response programs. The position requires a valid state driver's license, successful completion of the POSS and MASS tests, a physical abilities assessment, and the ability to work rotating shifts. Employees must be able to stand or walk continuously for up to 12 hours. The posted compensation range is $25.76–$42.63. AEP describes its benefits package as comprehensive but does not list specific benefits in this posting.

Requirements

For the Equipment Operator Junior level, qualify through one of the following: an associate degree in engineering, industrial technology, or energy technology; an associate degree in another discipline plus two years of related work experience; a high school diploma plus four years of related work experience; or a high school diploma plus two years of related military experience.
Possess a valid state driver's license.
Successfully complete the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) and Plant Maintenance Selection System (MASS) tests.
Complete a physical abilities assessment.
Satisfactorily complete required training and demonstrate competency within company-established time frames to advance to Equipment Operator, Maintenance Mechanic-Junior, or Coal Handler, depending on the line of progression, or vacate the Equipment Operator-Junior classification.
Learn applicable operating instructions and procedures, work rules, safety practices, procedures, tools, and equipment.
Read, interpret, and work from simple prints and specifications, and gain a working knowledge of OSHA and environmental guidelines.
Work rotating shifts.
Stand or walk continuously for up to 12 hours.
For the Equipment Operator level, climb ladders and stairs multiple times each day; use fine dexterity to move switches and controls precisely; detect colors on alarms, equipment, and other devices; hear plant public-address announcements and abnormal equipment sounds; communicate plant information by phone, in person, or by radio; work at heights and on grating, platforms, and catwalks; and exert up to 50 pounds of pressure to turn valves manually.

Responsibilities

Isolate, clean, open, replace, inspect, close, and return strainers, heat exchangers, and dust collectors to service.
Operate, clean, service, and lubricate portable power-driven tools and equipment; maintain tools, equipment, and work areas; use portable meters and analyzers for testing and monitoring; check lubrication equipment, adjust packing glands, perform operative maintenance with hand tools, and operate oil-filtering equipment.
Operate, regulate, adjust, clean, and perform minor maintenance on bottom-ash and fly-ash handling equipment, including associated pumps, piping, and valves.
Monitor and inspect plant equipment, identify and report abnormal conditions, and write work orders.
Perform simple disassembly and assembly; clean and recondition parts; lubricate, bolt, unbolt, wire-brush, and open or close inspection doors.
Prepare equipment work surfaces and areas by removing insulation guards and simple housing; remove pipe covering and insulation and prepare surfaces for recovering; erect and remove simple scaffolding and rigging.
Perform minor maintenance on heating and plumbing systems, including repairing valves, repairing or replacing fittings and short sections of piping, and cleaning or replacing traps.
Load, unload, move, and handle materials, supplies, and equipment; operate hoists, forklift trucks, skid-steer loaders, small tractors, automotive equipment, and associated equipment.
Perform routine cleaning of plant areas and equipment, including outside areas, and clean oil igniters and nozzles.
Assist in preparing boilers and auxiliaries for operation and removal from service; monitor coal feed to mills and burners and observe fires and furnaces; hand-lance boiler slag, operate soot blowers by hand, unplug ash lines, and dispose of clinkers.
Use flow diagrams to identify system piping and equipment and revise prints as required; conduct equipment checks and assist with tests and preparation of related reports, graphs, and curves.
Follow company safety rules, operating regulations, and practices, and report unsafe conditions and practices.
Train for and carry out firefighting, first aid, and other emergency-response assignments as required.
Perform similar or less-skilled work as assigned.