Equipment Operator Jr. - Equipment Operator

American Electric Power•New Haven, WV

18h

About The Position

The Equipment Operator Junior performs semi-skilled manual work, maintenance, and operating duties related to power plant operation. Duties may vary by line of progression, including Operations, Maintenance, or Coal Yard. The role includes operating and maintaining plant equipment, monitoring plant conditions, handling materials, performing routine cleaning and minor repairs, and supporting boiler and ash-handling operations. The employee follows company safety rules and operating practices, reports unsafe or abnormal conditions, and participates in required emergency-response training. Advancement requires satisfactory completion of company-required training and demonstrated competency within established timeframes.

Requirements

For the junior level, one of the following education and experience combinations: 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 company training and demonstrate competency within company-established timeframes, including gaining working knowledge of applicable operating instructions and procedures.
Learn applicable work rules, safety practices and procedures, tools, and equipment and their uses.
Read, interpret, and work from simple prints and specifications, and gain working knowledge of OSHA and environmental guidelines.
Be able to work rotating shifts.
Be able to stand or walk continuously for up to 12 hours.
Climb ladders and stairs multiple times each day; use fine dexterity to move switches and controls precisely; detect colors on alarms and equipment; hear plant public-address announcements and abnormal equipment sounds; and communicate plant information by phone, in person, or radio.
Work at heights and on grating, platforms, and catwalks.
Exert up to 50 pounds of pressure to manually turn off valves.
Meet the stated medium physical-demand level: exert 20 to 50 pounds occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

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; keep tools, equipment, and work areas clean and orderly.
Use portable meters and analyzers to conduct tests and monitoring.
Lubricate and check lubrication equipment, adjust packing glands, and perform operating maintenance with appropriate hand tools.
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 and unbolt components, wire-brush parts, and open and close inspection doors.
Prepare equipment work surfaces and areas by removing insulation guards and simple housing, removing pipe covering and insulation, and preparing surfaces for re-covering.
Erect and remove simple scaffolding and rigging.
Perform minor maintenance on heating and plumbing systems, including repairing valves, replacing fittings and short pipe sections, and cleaning or replacing traps.
Load, unload, move, and handle materials, supplies, and equipment; open boxes, barrels, bags, and other materials.
Operate material-handling equipment, including hoists, forklifts, skid-steer loaders, small tractors, and automotive equipment, and perform incidental duties.
Perform routine cleaning of plant equipment and areas, including outside areas, as assigned.
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 manually, unplug ash lines, dispose of clinkers, and perform similar work.
Use flow diagrams to identify system piping and equipment and revise prints as required.
Make equipment checks, assist with tests, and prepare 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.
Complete required training and demonstrate competency to advance to an applicable classification or vacate the Equipment Operator-Junior classification.
Perform similar or less-skilled work as assigned.