Plant Operator

The City of Rochester invites applications for:

Plant Operator
Rochester Public Utilities
www.rpu.org

Nature of Work
Under the direction of the Shift Foreman, the Plant Operator is primarily responsible for the safe and proper startup, operation and steam output of the Silver Lake Plant (SLP) boilers and associated auxiliaries, but is also training for, and on occasion assumes on a temporary relief basis, the responsibilities of the steam Shift Foreman. The majority of the operating shift is located at SLP but also requires the Plant Operator to act as a backup for remote operation of the Westside Energy Station (WES) reciprocating engines and Cascade Creek (CC) gas turbines for electrical generation dispatch and compliance. Occasional off-site work such as routine inspections at the Cascade Creek Station, the IBM diesel generators, the Lake Zumbro hydro facility or the Silver Lake dam is also required. 

Pay-The 2026 starting wage for this opportunity is $43.14 per hour with advancement to $45.68 in six months.  
100% of the contract wage is attained in 3 years from hire.

Work Schedule – Individuals will initially work a day schedule – 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM – while completing training. When training is complete, the individual hired would move into the rotating schedule for the position working a combination of rotating 8-, 10-, and 12-hour shifts.

Benefits – This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please review the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details. 

*Operational Responsibilities

• Properly start up, put on line, operate, take off line and shutdown all power plant equipment and systems including boilers, the steam line, gas turbines, reciprocating engines, diesel generators and associated auxiliary equipment.
• Coordinate with Maintenance staff in the proper startup and operation of hydro-electric generators, including auxiliary equipment.
• Operate all generation site electrical switchboards and know the location of all motor control centers, switches, fuses and circuit breakers on plant side of bus.
• Continuously monitor and adjust as necessary auxiliary system parameters, generator conditions, machine loading and station voltages and make adjustments as necessary.
• Ensure assigned equipment is reliable and available by maintaining complete, accurate and legible computer logs that follow the rules and requirements set by the Foreman or Supervisors.
• Comprehend, follow and direct staff to follow electrical and steam dispatch requirements set forth by RPU staff, System Operations, The Energy Authority, MISO, Mayo Clinic and any other agency which RPU is associated.
• Participate in complex, coordinated crew evolutions using clear, concise communications.  Use verbal skills when communication is face-to-face, radio-based or via telephone.  Utilize professional written communication skills when working with email, training plans, operating procedures, safety programs, etc.
• Collect and analyze generating unit operation by using computer trending, visual inspections, physical rounds and manual readings to make corrections and recommend major maintenance activities.

*Backup Shift Foreman 

• Work through and help teach the requirements detailed in the RPU Operator Training Program to satisfactorily complete modules within the specified time limits.
• Learn and assume the duties and responsibilities of the Shift Foreman on a relief basis.
• Cooperate with and provide work direction to other employees.
• Demonstrate a desire to succeed and move ahead in the organization.

Perform other duties as assigned or necessary.

*ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSEducation and Experience
High school diploma or equivalent (GED) and completion of a two (2) year accredited curriculum in utility steam plant operation such as a Building Utilities Mechanic (B.U.M.) or Facility and Service Technology (FAST) program; and two (2) years of full-time experience in power plant operations including boiler operation and electrical generation experience with start-up, voltage regulation, synchronizing and loading
OR
An equivalent combination of education and work experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered at the discretion of the Manager of Power Resources.

Licenses and/or Certifications
Valid Minnesota driver's license.
Minnesota First Class, Grade B Engineers License

Desirable Qualifications
Courses in advanced steam engineering, basic AC and DC electricity
Technical courses or experience in the operation, maintenance and basic understanding of reciprocating engines and gas turbines.
Experience with digital control systems and their application*THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. On rare occasions, work could be described as Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:

Continuous demands: standing, walking; fine dexterity
Frequent demands: lifting
Occasional demands: climbing, balancing, kneeling, crouching, twisting, bending, reaching, handling

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing and touch

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, tractors, mowers)

Salary : $43