Operator Helper

American Electric Power•Tulsa, OK

5d•$31 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

Under supervision, perform semi-skilled manual work in connection with an entry level position in power plant operation. Assist equipment operators while learning job duties such as isolating, cleaning, opening, replacing, inspecting, closing and returning to service plant equipment. This role involves operating, regulating, adjusting, cleaning, and performing minor maintenance on plant auxiliary systems, as well as monitoring and inspecting all plant equipment for normal operation. The Operator Helper will identify and report abnormal conditions, operate and maintain tools and equipment, and maintain a clean work area. Responsibilities also include utilizing portable meters for testing and monitoring, lubricating equipment, operating oil filtering equipment, erecting and removing simple scaffolding, and performing routine cleaning of plant areas and equipment. Additionally, the role involves loading, unloading, and handling materials, monitoring water chemistry and pH levels, assisting in preparing boilers for operation, and potentially monitoring coal feed and furnace conditions. Other duties include hand lancing slag, operating soot blowers, unplugging ash lines, using flow diagrams to identify system piping, making equipment checks, and assisting in preparing reports. The Operator Helper must perform duties in accordance with safety rules and regulations, and train for emergency response programs.

Requirements

Two year Associate degree in power plant technology, industrial technology, engineering technology or equivalent.
Equivalent experience: Associates degree in another discipline and two years of related work experience, OR high school diploma with four years of related work experience OR high school diploma with two years of related military experience.
Successful completion of the Plant Operator Selection System (POSS) is required.
Possess an 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 Equipment Operator.
Ability to gain a working knowledge of all applicable operating instructions and procedures.
Must successfully qualify for Equipment Operator 1st Yr. within three months.
Must be available to work rotating shifts.
Holidays and weekends as required.
Must be available for call-out.
Climb ladders & stairs a number of times each day.
Use fine dexterity to move switches & controls to precise locations.
Detect color on alarms, equipment & other devices.
Hear announcements on the Plant PA system, and to hear abnormal sounds of plant equipment.
Communicate plant information by phone, in person or by radio.
Work on heights, grating, platforms and catwalks.
Exert up to 50 lbs of pressure to manually turn off valves.
Able to stand or walk continuously for up to 8 hours.

Responsibilities

Assist equipment operators while learning job duties: 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.
Maintain tools, equipment and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
Utilize portable meters, analyzers and equipment to conduct tests and monitoring.
Lubricate and check lubrication equipment; adjust packing glands as necessary and perform necessary operative maintenance, using appropriate hand tools.
Operate oil filtering 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.