What are the responsibilities and job description for the Plant Operator position at East Kentucky Power Cooperative?
EKPC Company Information
Located in the heart of the Bluegrass state, East Kentucky Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, KY which is just a short distance from Lexington. Our cooperative has a vital mission: to safely generate and deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our 16 owner-member cooperatives serving more than 1 million Kentuckians across 87 counties. We’re leaders in environmental stewardship and we’re committed to provide power to improve the lives of people in Kentucky.
As passionate as we are about providing smart energy solutions, we are equally excited about people. We strive to cultivate connected workplaces where great ideas are born and rewarding careers are built.
EKPC offers a wage and benefits package that ranks among the best in the state. There is no waiting period on our medical, dental and vision insurance plans so you are covered on day one, and the dental plan is free for employees. Our generous 401(k) retirement plan allows employees to start contributing to their plan after a month of service, and after 3 months of service, EKPC will automatically contribute 6.5% of base wages AND match employee contributions up to 4.5%. Our competitive vacation and sick leave package starts day one to allow for flexibly and a healthy work-life balance.
For more information on our plentiful benefits package visit our website at https://www.ekpc.coop/work-ekpc
EKPC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
Key Roles
Performs all duties and assignments necessary to effectively monitor, operate and control a variety of auxiliary equipment and systems.
Key Responsibilities
- Records plant operating data and files reports or logs.
- Monitors equipment fluids and replaces or adds with the correct fluid.
- Positions electrical breakers as necessary to isolate or restore electrical systems.
- Opens or closes equipment and system valves.
- Replenishes fuel supplies and refills storage tanks.
- Cleans assigned equipment and maintains a clean work area.
- Changes fuses, lamp indicators, and other protective devices.
- Performs mechanical and electrical equipment and system tests.
- Collects material samples for analysis.
- Operates fire protection equipment.
Plant Operator Level 2
- Check level in steam coil air heater tanks and monitor steam coil heater pumps (oil level, etc.)
- Valve steam coil air heater pumps in/out of service
- Operate primary and tempering air dampers manually (50-100%)
- Switch air lines to operate coal line valves as needed and operate/monitor bottom ash drag chains
- Isolate sootblowing air header and locate sootblower breakers
- Start/stop SBAC and valve in/out SBAC for maintenance
- Manually operate feedwater pump recirculation valves
- Trace low pressure lake water flow paths and valve arrangements
- Start/stop low pressure lake water pumps (locally)
- Check cooling seal water to low pressure lake water pumps
- Check low pressure lake water returns
- Cross-tie low pressure lake water to hydraulic turbine oil coolers potable water supply
- Check low pressure/high pressure lake water pump cross-tie valve
- Check hydraulic turbine operating status (oil level, rings, bearings)
- Check circulating water hydraulic turbine lube oil pumps (belt drive and motor drive)
- Start/stop wet well pumps (locally)
- Start/stop screen wash pumps
- Maintain stator cooling water tank level
- Rotate stator cooling water pumps
- Valve stator coolers in and out
- Explain the purpose and operation of the main generator
- Explain the purpose of the generator auxiliaries
- Explain the purpose of the generator excitation system
- Explain 480 Volt circuit breaker operation and protection
- Describe 480 Volt circuit breaker relay and switch indication
- Add oil to units from lube oil storage tank with the Turbo-Toc
- Clean Turbo-Toc oil pump inlet strainer filter, operate turbo-toc oil filtering system and switch turbo-toc between units
- Cross-tie sootblowing and instrument air system
- Isolate instrument air leak quickly
- Run low instrument air alarm test
- Start/stop instrument air compressors
- Adjust pressure on system
- Locate EHC dump valve (manual operation)
- Rotate EHC pumps
- Isolate plant drain tanks for maintenance
- Start/stop plant drain pumps
Key Requirements
Education:
- High School diploma or equivalent required. Additional mechanical or electrical related training preferred.
Experience:
- One year of mechanical or electrical related work experience preferred.
Skills and Abilities:
- Must be able to read and understand schematic diagrams and equipment manuals.
- Licensed for lift operator highly desirable.
Competencies
- Safety Awareness
- Technical/Professional Knowledge & Skills
- Contributing to Team Success
- Applied Learning
- Adaptability
Working Conditions
- Must maintain a valid drivers license and live within one and a half (1.5) hours of the Plant.
- Must work 12-hour rotating swing shift; scheduled and non-scheduled overtime is a normal part of the job.
- This is an on-call position; telephone is required.
- Must pass an aptitude and physical ability test and follow procedures for wearing a respirator and other personal protective equipment.
- Regular lifting up to 100 lbs. and occasional lifting over 100 lbs. Regular climbing and work at heights on ladders and stairs required, as well as above ground grating and platforms.
- Work conditions include: noise, heat in excess of 100 degrees, gas emissions, chemical vapors, dust, high-pressure lines and high voltage equipment.