Operator Helper

American Electric Power•Oologah, OK

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Perform semi-skilled manual work in connection with power plant operation. This role involves isolating, cleaning, opening, replacing, inspecting, closing, and returning to service plant equipment. The Operator Helper will also operate, regulate, adjust, clean, and perform minor maintenance on plant auxiliary systems, while monitoring and inspecting all plant equipment for normal operation. Identifying and reporting abnormal conditions and writing work orders are key responsibilities. Additionally, the role includes operating, cleaning, servicing, and lubricating portable power-driven tools and equipment, as well as erecting and removing simple scaffolding and rigging. Routine cleaning of plant areas and equipment, including outside areas, is also part of the job. Material handling, including loading, unloading, moving, and handling materials, supplies, and equipment, is required. Monitoring water chemistry, maintaining water pH, and following EPA guidelines are essential. The position assists in preparing boilers and auxiliaries for operation and removal from service. If applicable, this includes monitoring coal feed to mills and burners, observing conditions of fires and furnaces, hand lancing slag in boilers, hand-operating soot blowers, unplugging ash lines, and disposing of clinkers. The Operator Helper will use flow diagrams to identify system piping and equipment and revise these prints as required. They will also make required equipment checks and assist in performing tests and preparing related reports, graphs, and curves. Performing duties in accordance with safety rules, operating regulations, and practices, and reporting unsafe conditions and practices are mandatory. Training for and carrying out assignments in firefighting, first aid, and other emergency response programs is also required. Other job duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Two year Associate degree in power plant technology, industrial technology, engineering technology or equivalent.
Equivalent experience includes 2- years of military experience, or some post high school education plus two years of related industrial experience.
Successful completion of the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) is required for this position.
Possess a appropriate State driver's license.
Must satisfactorily complete, in such time frames as may be established by the Company, all required training to advance to Assistant Station Operator.
This includes the ability to gain a working knowledge of all applicable operating instructions and procedures.
Must successfully qualify for Turbine Operator (Tulsa Power Station and Green Country) or Assistant Station Operator (NES 1,2,3,4, Riverside, Southwestern, Weleetka, Comanche, and Green Country) within three years.
Must be available to work rotating shifts.
Holidays and weekends as required.
Must be available for call-out.

Nice To Haves

A review of Employment Testing Information, Test-Taking Tips, together with the POSS Practice Tests may be helpful.

Responsibilities

Isolate, clean, open, replace, inspect, close and return to service plant equipment.
Isolate equipment and place/remove clearance tags in the plant and switchyard.
Operate, regulate, adjust, clean and perform minor maintenance on plant auxiliary systems.
Monitor and inspect all plant equipment for normal operation.
Identify and report abnormal conditions to the proper authority and write work orders.
Operate, clean, service and lubricate portable power-driven tools and equipment.
Erect and remove simple scaffolding and rigging.
Perform routine cleaning of plant areas and equipment, including outside areas, as assigned.
Load, unload, move and handle materials, supplies and equipment; open boxes, barrels, bags and other materials, using material handling equipment.
Monitor water chemistry as required.
Maintain water pH and follow EPA guidelines as applicable.
Assist in preparing boilers and auxiliaries for operation and removal from service.
If applicable, monitor coal feed to mills and burners and observe conditions of fires and furnaces.
Hand lance slag in boilers, hand-operating soot blowers, unplugging ash lines, disposing of clinkers and other similar work.
Use flow diagrams to identify system piping and equipment and revise these prints as required.
Make required equipment checks and assist in performing tests and preparing related reports, graphs and curves.
Perform duties in accordance with Company's safety rules, operating regulations and practices and report unsafe conditions and practices.
Train for and carry out assignments in firefighting, first aid and other emergency response programs as required.
Perform other job duties as assigned.