O&M Plant Technician Lead (Outside)

American Electric Power•Oregon, OH

About The Position

Perform highly skilled work to operate and maintain a gas- and oil-fueled electric generating plant and its equipment, including gas and steam turbines, generators, boilers and heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), transformers, pumps, condensers, switchyard, and auxiliary equipment. Operate the plant during startup, shutdown, steady-state operation, and abnormal conditions. Direct outside operators, support personnel, and contractors, and participate in developing operating procedures for abnormal conditions. Perform and direct technical work involving inspection, troubleshooting, repair, maintenance, installation, and construction of plant equipment and structures. This includes electrical and electronic systems, digital controls, communications, instrumentation, interlocks, computers, annunciators, and recording systems. Conduct chemical analyses, industrial hygiene and environmental testing, and calculations related to plant operating efficiency. Be responsible for environmental reporting and compliance with environmental and OSHA regulations. Conduct tests, surveys, and layout work for plant projects, and communicate and coordinate activities affecting safe, efficient operations. Prepare and participate in development plans for employees in lower classifications, provide effective feedback, and demonstrate leadership among peers and as a representative of the company in the community. The role requires safe and efficient operation of generating equipment; monitoring and adjusting equipment and plant chemistry; responding to alarms and abnormal conditions; coordinating dispatch requirements; and performing or directing electrical, instrumentation, controls, mechanical, predictive, and preventive maintenance. The technician uses work management systems and plant software to manage work, analyze data and trends, and support plant reliability and efficiency.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
At least 7 years of experience in power-generation operations, maintenance, instrumentation and controls, electrical, or mechanical work.
Demonstrated ability to lead work activities and provide technical guidance to others.
Ability to work and communicate effectively with AEP employees and contractors.
Ability to perform the described medium physical work demands: exerting 20–50 pounds of force occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in a technical field preferred.
Equivalent combinations of formal education, apprentice training, military technical training, and power-generation experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate ethical behavior, leadership in safe and healthy work practices, and environmental stewardship; follow operating procedures and applicable governmental and company regulations.
Operate and direct personnel in starting up, operating, controlling, synchronizing, and shutting down generating units and associated equipment safely and efficiently.
Operate valves, pumps, and controls from the control room and remote locations as needed.
Respond to abnormal equipment conditions and out-of-specification parameters in accordance with plant guidelines.
Monitor control, indication, and recording devices; compare results with standards; adjust equipment as needed; and enter and review logbook data.
Monitor alarms and unusual conditions, report irregular or abnormal operating conditions to supervision, and maintain equipment operation within established standards.
Maintain and monitor boiler water and plant-cycle chemistry; review operating data, collect and analyze samples, and make or direct appropriate adjustments.
Maintain and operate the water treatment plant.
Communicate with the corporate Production Optimization Group to obtain dispatch orders, confirm status and abnormal conditions, and regulate unit output according to requirements and plant conditions.
Perform and direct inspection, installation, removal, testing, adjustment, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical, electronic, instrumentation, and plant-control systems and components.
Conduct electrical interlock and circuit-breaker trip checks, interlock tests, and functional tests of control systems and instrumentation.
Monitor control systems and make program modifications using a computer interface terminal.
Use elementary, schematic, wiring, and controls diagrams and electrical and instrumentation test equipment to locate, troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate plant equipment and systems.
Perform and direct mechanical maintenance, including equipment alignment and rebuilds and use of machine-shop and portable machining equipment.
Perform and direct repairs to rotating equipment, valves, actuators, piping, and related equipment.
Perform and direct predictive and preventive maintenance by inspecting, monitoring, lubricating, and testing equipment for wear, corrosion, deposits, and other conditions.
Conduct equipment inspections and corrective maintenance, and conduct chemical tests and inspections to verify proper plant operation.
Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
Analyze predictive-maintenance data and recommend actions to address potential equipment liabilities; assist in developing predictive-maintenance program requirements.
Use work management systems to initiate, retrieve, approve, and update work orders, material requests, budget and variance reporting, preventive maintenance, and time entry.
Use applications and software such as DCS, P-GADS, TAPIS, and PI to extract data, analyze trends, and report status to support plant reliability and efficiency.
Direct outside operators, support personnel, and contractors; participate in developing abnormal operating procedures; and provide technical guidance and feedback to lower-classification employees.
Conduct tests, surveys, and layout work on plant projects; coordinate work affecting safe and efficient plant operation.
Perform environmental reporting and comply with environmental and OSHA requirements.