Plant Operator Jobs

UNITED STATES • Power Plant • FULL-TIME

Position Summary

Altura Cogen is a 600 MW natural gas-fired, combined cycle cogeneration power plant located in Channelview, TX. Altura Cogen sells steam and electricity to the host petrochemical plant, and also exports power to the open wholesale power market.

The Plant Operator, under the general supervision of the Chief Operator, will assist with operation and maintenance of power plant equipment and systems in a safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally correct manner while assigned on shift. Completely supports the safe and reliable start-up, operation, shutdown, and maintenance of the cogeneration facility's equipment and systems. Equipment includes, but is not limited to the gas and steam turbines, generators, air compressors, water treatment equipment, transformers, motors, pumps, diesel generators and other auxiliary equipment. Operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and assists in the repair of mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, and instrumentation. The candidate will produce optimal performance in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

This position is open to local candidates or those able to relocate on their own as there is no relocation assistance available for this position.

SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:

This position works under the direction of a Chief Operator.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Perform adjustments and minor maintenance corrections on equipment found operating beyond the prescribed setting or an unsafe condition (oil, air, water, steam, natural gas, leaks).
• Observe and maintain data for instrumentation located throughout the facility.
• Monitor and interpret readings from instrumentation for variances and trending from prescribed operating standards and procedures.
• Perform troubleshooting and repairs to correct the cause of any operational abnormality or problem.
• Report and correct unsafe conditions or hazards.
• Monitor plant equipment and systems for safe, reliable, and efficient performance within scope of responsibility.
• Assist in the development/review of all plant operations documentation (procedures, standing orders, system descriptions, operating envelopes).
• Willing and available to work scheduled and un-scheduled overtime as necessary to maintain plant readiness.
• Perform chemical tests for the plant water and steam systems to maintain proper quality and monitor neutralization and discharge water to assure compliance with standards and regulations.
• Support maintenance activities as required such as equipment testing.
• Assist/support local startup of all equipment.
• Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned by Chief Operator or Plant Operations Supervisor.
• Responsible for writing and maintaining Operations Logs, Equipment Logs, and other reports as required in a neat and professional manner.
• Off-load bulk chemicals/gases used for plant operations.
• Perform routine inspections and tests to ensure power block and balance of plant are operating at optimal levels.
• Monitors performance to permit limitations and stops operations that violate regulations.
• Respond to variances as instructed by the Board Operator or Chief Operator to adjust and maintain proper operation of equipment and systems.
• Reviews logs and documents regularly and reports discrepancies to the Board Operator.
• Inventory materials and maintain at specified levels and reorder as necessary.
• Perform routine maintenance of basic plant equipment as directed by the Board Operator or the Chief Operator. • Uses the CMMS system for entering work requests and other maintenance work requirements.
• Operate plant mobile equipment (carts, trucks, crane, forklift, etc).
• Maintains proficiency as a qualified Plant Operator.
• Maintains high housekeeping standards.
• Secure and isolate equipment under LOTO for maintenance purposes.
• Participate in facility continued training program, include the training of plant personnel.
• Stops unsafe work.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrates excellence in shared decision-making, continuous improvement, open communication, teamwork, and accountability
• Ability to perform routine job duties with little assistance
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the relationship between systems and equipment
• Thorough knowledge of plant systems and the procedures related to operating systems
• In-depth knowledge of safety and environmental regulations
• Demonstrates honesty and trustworthiness in work relationships

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education, Experience, and Drive:

• Mechanical, instrumentation, and/or electrical equipment knowledge is required.
• High school diploma or GED with three to five years of related experience in an industrial facility, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the discipline.
• Must be willing to work a rotating 12-hour shift, overtime, and be available for emergencies and outage maintenance.
• Advanced computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access). Advanced knowledge of personal computers and numerous software applications (i.e., CMMS, Maximo, etc.) is a plus.

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

• Successful completion of all introductory cogeneration training courses.
• Complete assigned Training and Qualification Standards through West Operator, including passing written and/or oral examinations

Communications Skills:

• Ability to provide input to and complete routine reports, correspondence and procedures.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedures/manuals, and Process/piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated strong listening skills.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to perform advanced mathematical computations.

Analyses and Problem-Solving Abilities:

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to develop and use experience and training to deal with problems that involve several concrete variables in standardized situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Position entails climbing stairs, working at heights (possibly several times per shift), standing for long periods of time, operating objects, tools or controls, reaching with hands and arms, operating large valves, lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds overhead and 75 pounds from the floor to 36".
• Noise levels are moderately loud and may vary throughout the plant site.
• Facility is also located adjacent to a Chemical Processing Facility.
• Requires working a 12-hour/day rotating scheduled shift.
• Work shift hours, overtime, and irregular hours as needed to support reliable operation of the facility. From time to time the working hours will be determined on short notice based on plant requirements.
• Cogeneration Power Plant environment includes exposure to hazards associated with industrial high-speed rotating equipment, high pressure and high temperature equipment and systems, steam, natural gas, hydrogen, low/medium/high voltage electricity, confined spaces, power and hand tools, dust, fumes; regularly subject to external environmental conditions such as cold, heat dust, snow or noise and fumes from equipment or chemicals.
• Regularly works near moving mechanical parts and may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
• Visual requirements include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust visual focus.