Operation/Maintenance Technician

Job Description:

Reporting to the Manager of Operations the Operations/Maintenance Technician performs and is responsible for work associated with Minnesota facilities involving skill and knowledge in operation and maintenance work associated with generating plant and equipment performance and repairs.  The Operations/Maintenance Technician may work alone or with the assistance of other Minnesota personnel.

Required Skills/Responsibilities:

• An AS degree in electrical technology is considered an asset, a related apprenticeship program, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with repair and maintenance of generating plant systems and related equipment is preferred as follows: electrical, mechanical, hydraulic as well as Allen Bradley PLC programming, and troubleshooting skills and ability to perform related essential functions of the job.
• Identify and repair, as necessary, station hydraulic, electrical, mechanical and control systems including analytical problem solving/troubleshooting.
• Work with contracted preventive maintenance crews to repair identified maintenance/operational problems to improve unit availability and station uptime.
• Monitor and report on equipment quality issues per factory requirements and Minnesota Hydro Facilities specifications from disassembly to commissioning.
• Makes adjustments and corrections, as necessary, to ensure the equipment is operating properly, and places equipment in service and removes equipment from service as required or as directed.
• Takes periodic readings reflecting performance of equipment, records data, runs required tests, interprets results and makes necessary corrections.
• Performs diagnostic testing and utilizes test equipment, analyzing and interpreting results.
• Perform operation of the Twin Cities and LSAF hydroelectric facilities including starting, stopping and synchronizing the generators to the electrical system.
• Inspect facility and structures, perform reading and record measurements per the Dam Safety and Surveillance Monitoring Plan (DSSMP).
• Perform Medium and Low Voltage Switching required to implement hazardous energy control procedures.
• Performs electrical work on equipment 34.5kv and below.
• Performs work from scaffolds, spiders, or similar support devices.
• Performs all rigging in the erection, assembly, and disassembly of structures, power transformers, pumps and motors, and turbine/ generation equipment, etc.
• Operates equipment such as overhead cranes, gantry cranes and intake trash rake.
• Operate common hand and power-driven tools and equipment such as forklifts, aerial lifts, and pallets jacks.

• Operate company motor vehicles in accordance with State Laws and Company Policies.
• Perform minor mowing and vegetation control, snow removal around the generation stations; this may include operation of tractors, lawn mowers, line trimmers, chainsaws/pole saws and snow blowers.
• Perform work from self-supporting structures of any height, in confined spaces, or at elevation.
• Perform work removing and disposing debris from trash racks.
• Performs general clean-up work.
• Ability to read and understand electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical drawings and schematics.
• Experience with related mechanical and electrical OSHA safety standards.
• Fluent knowledge of Electrical and Mechanical system Lockout/ Tagout (LOTO) for maintenance.
• Ability to stop any unsafe work activities and coordinate efforts for additional / alternate planning to ensure safe work practices are followed. 
• Very good oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of Windows based software including Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to perform safety observations during work to ensure plans and policies are followed.
• Knowledge of Preventative Maintenance systems development, applications, and tracking.
• Requisitions, orders, receive, unload and stores replacement parts and equipment.
• Be available, as necessary, for after hour “call-ins” weekends included, and possible overtime (OT) as needed during scheduled workdays.

Qualification:

• Ability to organize, plan, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to use computer-based systems pertaining to the job.
• Ability to obtain/maintain switching and EIC authority for work.
• Ability to write daily job plans.
• Strength and endurance to perform the above duties.
• Ability to direct other employees of like classification.
• Ability to interpret sketches diagrams and specifications
• Working knowledge of tools and materials used in the performance of the above.
• Must maintain a valid Minnesota driver license
• Ability to obtain overhead crane certification within one year
• Must reside within a 50 miles driving distance of Twin Cities Hydro facility.