Control Room Operator

Mobile Energy located in Mobile, AL is recruiting for an Operations and Maintenance Technician-Control Room Operator (CRO) for its GE 1x1 combined cycle power plant consisting of one (1) GE 7FA.03 combustion turbine generator set and one (1) GE industrial steam turbine generator set totaling 223 MW of generation. This position will require the successful candidate to qualify as a plant operator as well as perform routine preventative maintenance and equipment repairs. Requires excellent troubleshooting, diagnosis and decision making and leadership skills.

This position will require a good working experience with the use of Distributive Control System (DCS) computers to operate plant equipment within operating parameters and for monitoring of equipment while measuring and record plant parameters. Incumbent should have a good working knowledge of PC computers using Microsoft Office products and Red-Tag PRO for issuing of Lockout-Tagouts. Incumbents will also assist in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and provide input to plant improvement items to improve plant efficiency, reliability and safety. Must have knowledge to perform chemical analysis and chemical control on steam, cooling and condensate systems, and maintains chemistry logs. Ensures compliance with all local, State and Federal regulations and plant procedures. Regularly required to maintain plant security, operate heavy equipment such as manlifts and forklifts, and handle and transfer bulk chemicals.

Job Responsibilities

• Operates and maintains a combined cycle generating facility and all associated auxiliary and support equipment with minimal guidance or assistance. This position requires making operating decisions based on plant procedures, safety and environmental rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, and using good judgment based on operating data.
• Proficient at operating the plant via a remote distributed control system (DCS). Periodically, equipment may need to be operated locally via PLC panel interfaces.
• Sets priorities for the day to day work.
• Communicates plant issues and keeps O&M Manager and/or Facility Manager fully informed of unusual conditions, damaged equipment, and current job progress as the job relates to facility operations. This also applies when performing maintenance when either on or off shift
• Reads meters, gauges, or automatic devices to record data such as temperature of equipment, vibration of equipment, hours of operation, pressure, and fluid levels to verify operating conditions. Visually inspects and listens to equipment at periodic intervals to detect malfunctions or need for repair, adjustment or lubrication.
• Perform water chemistry analysis on HRSG, auxiliary boiler, and cooling tower systems. Ensure water chemistry is within proper control ranges. Ability to adjust water chemistry, as needed, by controlling chemical feed and/or blowdown rates. Work with OMT’s and water treatment vendor to properly monitor overall chemistry program.
• Operate demineralized water system in accordance with OEM and plant procedures and monitor demineralized water to ensure quality is within acceptable limits.
• Fully supports the use of a computerized maintenance management system by demonstrating proficiency in using the system, entering data consistent with fellow employees and dedication to the facility maintenance philosophy. Records equipment discrepancies in detail on work requests and documents maintenance actions taken on work order forms. Handles corrective maintenance and preventive maintenance work orders in a timely and high quality manner. Shows diligence in documenting spare parts usage and re-ordering.
• Maintains equipment by tightening fittings, replacing valve packing, gaskets, valves, gauges, etc. and cleaning, replacing, oiling and lubricating other component parts and equipment as required.
• Opens and closes valves as required for proper system operation and mechanical isolation. Opens and closes circuit breakers as required for proper system operation and electrical isolation.
• Performs capital project and/or major program responsibilities as assigned by the O&M Manager.
• Sets up and operates various tools and instruments to repair parts and equipment.
• Diagnoses cause of mechanical malfunction or failure of operational equipment.
• Ability to learn use of a fluke meter and other test equipment to calibrate and repair plant instrumentation and electrical circuits.
• Assist in troubleshooting and inspecting programmable logic controllers, distributive control systems including control card replacement and wiring terminations.
• Assist OMT-I&E and OMT-Mechanical Technicians in repairing plant instrumentation and plant equipment.
• Identify and resolve CEMS problems. Assist in performing calibrations and gas bottle change outs.
• Perform general housekeeping and continuous improvement of the appearance of the facility including painting projects as required. Maintain the cleanliness of all areas of the plant and control room, or other duties as assigned.
• Ensure all accidents/incidents/near misses/hazards are immediately reported to Facility Management and relevant paperwork is completed within 24 hours of occurrence.
• Work within the team to develop a culture where everyone embraces, upholds and accepts responsibility for a safe workplace, a healthy working life, a sustainable environment and the right and duty to intervene.
• To demonstrate commitment to continual improvement of HSE performance, and to be responsible and accountable for the HSE performance of their teams.
• Regularly makes decisions on non-routine or escalated technical issues.
• Independently prioritizes and executes responsibilities effectively for a single trade, group of related tasks or functional area.
• Checks own work and possibly the work of others; work results are of the highest quality standards and advanced technical competency.
• Resolves the most complex technical issues, conferring with Team Leader occasionally; may serve as resource to others in resolution of complex issues.
• Works under limited supervision.
• Prioritizes own weekly schedule and may guide others in the completion of tasks within clearly defined schedules as set by management.
• Regularly provides on-the-job skills training to others in complex technical areas.

Required Skills / Knowledge

• Mechanical, instrumentation and electrical equipment knowledge is required.
• Demonstrates knowledge of all facets of power plant operations.
• Demonstrates the ability to make competent decisions in emergency situations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of all facets of gas turbine power plant maintenance.