Key Roles

This position is responsible for performing all duties and assignments to effectively monitor, operate and control equipment associated with combustion turbines (CTs)  

 Combustion Turbine Operator

• Performs general facility maintenance duties.
• Monitors, operates, and controls combustion turbines and auxiliary equipment and takes appropriate action to maintain normal equipment and system operation.
• Records plant operating data and files reports or logs.
• Monitors equipment fluids and replaces or adds with the correct fluid.
• Changes fuses, lamp indicators, and other protective devices.
• Assists CT Technicians in maintaining all equipment associated with the combustion turbine plant.
• Cleans assigned equipment and maintains a clean work area.
• Performs mechanical and electrical equipment and system tests.
• Operates fire protection equipment.
• Assists CT Technicians performing complicated rigging.
• Operates overhead crane.
• Operates a water treatment and demineralizer (DM) plant.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Combustion Turbine Operator Level 1

• Ensures proper operation of enclosure ventilation.
• Performs a walk down inspection for gas turbines and BOP using the walk down checklist.
• Inspects gas turbine and BOP equipment for vibration, noise, temperature, and leaks during operation and documents problems.
• Records hourly readings on appropriate logs.
• Reports megawatt total to Dispatch Center.
• Monitors and records fluid levels including CT lube oil block and BOP from DCS (fuel oil and NOx Water).
• Identifies unusual conditions and operates enclosure ventilation.
• Performs hourly unit walk down when on rotor barring.
• Sets up the gas yard for operation prior to start up.
• Shuts down gas yard after turbine shut down.
• Monitors fuel oil containment berm.
• Checks compressor oil levels.
• Monitors air dryer operation.
• Checks differential pressure on instrument air filters.
• Takes air dryer readings including pressure and temperature.
• Rotates air compressors.
• Starts and stops instrument air compressors.
• Checks for proper operation of chemical pumps in water plant.
• Monitors hourly during operation for abnormal conditions.
• Shuts down DM plant.
• Identifies and responds to equipment alarms.
• Identifies and responds to problems in plant operation.
• Starts and stop river water pumps.
• Checks water plant for proper operation.
• Checks general service transformer oil levels and alarms.
• Checks main transformer oil levels and alarms.
• Checks unit auxiliary transformers.
• Communicates with Dispatcher.
• Racks in and racks out 480v and 4160v circuit breakers under supervision.
• Opens and closes switches and breakers both locally and from control panel.
• Monitors transformer containment pits.
• Monitors status of Blackstart equipment.
• Performs daily checks on Blackstart diesels and auxiliary equipment.
• Starts Blackstart diesels.
• Stops Blackstart diesels.
• Understands operation of turbines and support systems.
• Inspects batteries for abnormal conditions.
• Inspects heat tracing.
• Inspects lube oil pumps.
• Inspects fuel oil filters.
• Follows safety procedures for oil spills.
• Lubricates motors and gear boxes.
• Lubricates pump bearings and grease fittings.
• Collects fuel oil samples.
• Offloads fuel oil.
• Performs necessary maintenance during Combustion Inspections under the guidance of supervision.
• Changes belts on equipment.
• Maintains glycol cooling system components.
• Navigates control panel screens (Balance of Plant (BOP) Overview, CT Unit).
• Monitors and records equipment parameters locally and on control panel including temperatures, levels, pressure, and kWh.
• Monitors fire suppression systems including CO2 and plant.
• Opens and closes valves locally and from control panel.
• Locks and unlocks equipment from control panel.
• Monitors equipment status locally and from control screens including fan and pump motors, breakers, and valves (checks oil, vibration, and temperature).
• Operates printers (selects printer and changes paper).
• Uses a walkie talkie.
• Operates emergency stops.
• Reports unusual events to proper personnel.
• Maintains equipment logs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Combustion Turbine Operator Level 2

• Relamps indicating lights for control board relays and switches.
• Starts gas heater for GE unit.
• Selects fuel for turbine operation.
• Stops gas turbine.
• Resets DART II gas recorder.
• Starts gas turbine.
• Starts gas compressor for LMS100.
• Troubleshoots compressor.
• Monitors raw water entering clarifier.
• Starts and stops water plant.
• Shuts down water plant.
• Isolates valves.
• Performs diesel fire pump PMs.
• Operates forklift.
• Assists CT Technicians with maintenance.
• Responds to plant alarms including screens and local.
• Implements fire suppression systems including CO2 and plant.
• Locates breaker.
• Locates 480v and 4160v breakers.
• Racks out 480v and 4160v breakers.
• Removes breakers from cubicle.
• Uses remote racking equipment.
• Operates breakers with remote racking and switching.
• Uses hot sticks.
• Uses arc flash PPE.
• Resets fire protection system valves.
• Checks fire protection system for leaks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Combustion Turbine Operator Level 3

• Use P&ID’s and F&ID’s.
• Use the cause and effect matrix.
• Transfers oil filters while online.
• Bypasses gas compressor.
• Runs lube oil kidney system and collects oil samples for lab analysis.
• Inspects plant systems and equipment to determine operating status.
• Isolates transformers for maintenance.
• Installs grounds on isolated transformer.
• Performs Blackstart from dead switchyard condition.
• Builds process trends displays and analyzes process data.
• Uses histograms and SOE recorders to analyze failures for root cause.
• Develops operations procedures.
• Issues work orders to ensure safe, clean, and efficient plant, grounds, and work areas.
• Maintains documentation relating to plant operations.
• Issues lock out tag out (LOTO) request.
• Provides assistance, as directed, to ensure security of plant and grounds.
• Ensures correct procedures are followed during all phases of plant operations.
• Develops isolation procedures for safe and efficient LOTO.
• Performs switching in 138KV switchyard following clearance forms.
• Performs switching in 345KV switchyard following clearance forms.
• Uses LOTO software.

Performs other duties assigned

Key Requirements

Education and Certifications / Licenses:

• High school diploma or GED. Associate’s degree in a related area or an Energy Systems Power Plant Operator certificate preferred. Additional mechanical or electrical related courses highly desirable.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of mechanical or electrical related work experience preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of pumps and motors, valve operation and hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Working knowledge of power plant, compressor stations, paper mills, marine or aircraft propulsion systems, or manufacturing general maintenance highly preferred.
• Knowledge of water treatment facilities desirable.
• Must be able to read and understand schematic drawings, technical manuals, system logic, and blueprints.

Must be a self-motivated individual with the ability to work alone.

Competencies

• Technical/Professional Knowledge and Skills
• Safety Awareness
• Contributing to Team Success
• Initiating Action
• Adaptability

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and excellent driving record, and must live within one and a half (1.5) hours of the plant.
• Must work a 12-hour rotating shirt; on-call position; nonscheduled overtime is a normal part of job.
• Work environment conditions include: noise, heat, gas emissions, chemical vapors, dust, high-pressure lines, etc.
• Occasional lifting up to fifty (50) pounds; regular climbing and work at heights on stairs and ladders.
• Must pass a physical ability and aptitude test.
• Must be medically certified to wear respiratory protection.
• Must be able to appropriately don a respirator which would include no facial hair at the sealing surface.
• Must follow procedures for wearing all personal protective equipment.