Control Room Operator (CRO)

Job Summary:

Location: Woodland, CA

The person holding this position is responsible during his/her shift for all personnel and equipment involved in the safe and efficient production of steam and electricity. He or she leads in the coordination, monitoring and controlling all on-shift operations. As the senior individual on duty, he or she has the responsibility and authority to take whatever action may be necessary to protect people, environment, and equipment.

Key Accountabilities:

• Ensures that all site safety and environmental requirements and procedures are followed and takes corrective actions as necessary
• Assists the Operations Supervisor to plan, direct and perform housekeeping duties. Ensures housekeeping standards are maintained or initiates corrective action, as required
• Oversees all station operations, including startup, shutdown, inspection, routine chemical testing, all switching and tagging, equipment troubleshooting, writes, reviews, and revises operating and related procedures
• Assists the Operations Supervisor in maintaining administrative documents, generating reports and initiates action to replenish consumables
• Provides feedback to the Operations Supervisor regarding the technical and administrative conduct of shift operations
• Assists in the development and implementation of the planned daily operations schedule
• Assists in the orientation, training, development of O&M Technicians to assure high work quality
• Assists the Operation Supervisor in the planning of routine preventive and predictive maintenance on all systems and equipment.  Supports corrective maintenance efforts on selected equipment
• Communicates with other company personnel on-site and at other locations. Represents the company in dealing with the public, steam and power customers, vendors, contractors, regulators, and other non-company personnel
• Maximizes plant efficiency and shareholder value without compromising personnel and equipment safety, environmental compliance, or the long-term commercial viability of the facility
• Available for scheduled and unscheduled shift coverage, performs tasks that require physical exertion and is expected to respond to off-hour call-ins when contacted by phone or company furnished pager or cell phone
• Establishes and maintains high personal and professional standards of safety and environmental conscientiousness and compliance
• Supports all departments and performs other duties necessary to fulfill plant requirements
•  Perform all other duties as assigned

Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Three (3) years of power plant experience in operations and maintenance, including experience as a qualified O&M Tech III

Other Qualifications:

Preferred:
*Experience with wood fired steam turbine electrical generation

Other Requirements:  
*Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license
*Knowledge of power plant safety policies and procedures, especially in the areas of high-energy systems, chemical handling, heavy equipment, rotating machinery, confined spaces, incipient fire suppression, and first aid
*Basic knowledge of or ability to understand fundamental principles related to physics, mathematics, AC and DC electrical theory, chemistry, water treatment process, thermal dynamics, heat transfer and fluid flow
*Knowledge of and experience in at least four (4) of the following skill areas: pipefitting, welding, machining, rigging, rotating machine repair, fabrication, machine alignment, piping schematics, mechanical drawings, electrical theory, electrical safety, vibration analysis, electrical test equipment, basic electrical trouble-shooting, and high- and low-voltage systems, equipment, and components
*Demonstrated knowledge regarding operation of valves, switches, controls, keyboards, and other devices associated with power plants
*Working knowledge of maintenance management systems
*Ability to comprehend and apply technical information, including mechanical and electrical drawings (such as blueprints, P&IDs, single-line diagrams and schematics) to problem-solving situations and troubleshooting
*Ability to locate, trouble-shoot, and adjust defects in mechanical equipment and/or maintain, install, modify and trouble-shoot plant electrical systems and equipment without “tripping” equipment (with supervision, if necessary)
*Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English and perform basic mathematical calculations
*Ability to communicate and coordinate work on technical subjects with others across job families and with outside vendors
*Operating and maintenance experience with various analytical and test equipment
*Demonstrated knowledge, skill and prior hands-on operational experience relating to instrumentation and control systems used in modern power stations, including burner management, combustion control, boiler controls, turbine controls, machine condition monitoring and continuous emissions monitoring (CEMS)
*Demonstrated knowledge, skill and prior hands-on operational experience relating to electrical systems used in modern power stations, including 13.8KV switchgear and motors, 4160-volt switchgear and motors, 480-volt motors and control centers, transformers, batteries, inverters and chargers, main generator, and excitation equipment
*Outstanding skill in leadership and interpersonal relationships

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is required to:

• Sit, stand, or walk for a minimum of 8-hour shifts, including walking long distances, up and down stairs and on uneven ground
• Frequently lift objects of up to 75 pounds in weight and carry objects of up to 35 pounds in weight. Occasionally the employee will have to push or pull objects of up to 70 pounds in weight
• Frequently climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or occasionally, crawl
• Talk & hear; use hands & fingers; handle & feel; and able to reach with hands and arms extensively
• Frequent operations of controls with occasional driving and fine hand function manipulations of tools and equipment
• Vision requirements for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, and extreme heat and cold. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and/or machinery and burns. Exposed to protected and unprotected heights, which requires the use of a personal fall protection system (harness/lifeline). Occasionally exposed to vibration and fumes or airborne particles which will require the use of personal protective equipment including respirators; flame retardant clothing; self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), etc. Enter and work in confined space areas.

Additional Information:

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties as requested, subject to all applicable state and federal laws. Certain job functions described herein may be subject to possible modification in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.