Instrument & Control Technician I / II

POSITION DESCRIPTION

THE COMPANY

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 7,000 MW of utility-scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North America’s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our associates, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation. Based in New York, Denver, and Charlotte, Onward Energy is a company where people and power are always on. We are where renewable meets reliable. See www.onwardenergy.comfor more information.

The Pio Pico Energy facility is a 336 MW simple cycle, natural gas-fired, peaking facility with a PPA with San Diego Gas and Electric to 2042. The plant is located in San Diego, CA and became commercially operational in 2016.

THE CHALLENGE

Perform operations, testing, maintenance, troubleshooting, and administrative functions for the distributed control system (DCS), associated field devices including the Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS), low and medium voltage electrical equipment, and related regulatory reporting, including air permitting reporting requirements. This combined posting may be filled at the Instrument & Control Technician I or II level based on the candidate’s overall qualifications, experience, demonstrated capability, and business need.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Administer processes and procedures as required by the O&M Manager, which includes:
  • Identify and implement on-condition tasks.
  • Evaluate recommended changes based on cost/benefit analysis.
  • Specify instrument and electrical changes as required.
• Required to complete the O&M Tech II qualification process within 2 years of date of hire and cover operational shifts occasionally.
• Work safely, following company and operator policies, procedures, and work practices in a positive, cooperative, and productive manner.
• Computes and analyzes test data.
• Use installed and portable test equipment and technical manuals to troubleshoot equipment and systems.
• Monitor, maintain and review all system startup procedures to determine control and electrical personnel support requirements.
• Coordinate job activities relating to job planning, work methods, job standards, and job reporting for the work assigned.
• Perform both routine and non-routine preventative and corrective maintenance on plant equipment.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on plant DC systems, including station batteries, battery chargers, associated DC distribution equipment, and battery monitoring systems.
• Working knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards and compliance requirements is a plus.
• Troubleshoot, inspect, maintain, and perform work on low and medium voltage electrical equipment in accordance with site procedures, company policies, and applicable electrical safety requirements.
• May be required to support job responsibilities as needed outside of scheduled work hours.
• Assist other plant personnel as needed.
• Maintenance and upkeep of site buildings and grounds.
• Maintain, calibrate, and repair plant instrumentation and control devices.
• Read, interpret, troubleshoot, and modify DCS control logic as needed (GE MARK VIe / Emerson Ovation preferred).
• Prepare, maintain, and provide a variety of reports/documents as required or upon request.
• Prepare, maintain, and support air permitting reports, emissions-related documentation, and other regulatory submittals as required for facility compliance.
• Review one-line electrical diagrams, P&I drawings, control drawings, and logic diagrams.
• Communicates the condition of plant systems, equipment and pertinent information to others.
• Coordinates job activities relating to job planning, work methods, job standards and job reporting for the work assigned.
• Creates procedures related to instrumentation and electrical systems.
• Directs and performs work in accordance with policies and procedures as established by the company and regulatory agencies.
• Operate all plant mobile equipment, forklift, man lift, etc.
• Maintain documentation records of calibration, tests and certification of electrical and instrument equipment.
• Other duties as assigned.

THE PROFILE TO SUCCEED

• A two-year technical degree and minimum of 5 years of power plant and/or industrial electrical, instrumentation or electronics experience is required.
• In lieu of a degree, significant power plant and/or industrial electrical or electronics experience may also qualify an applicant for this position.
• Candidates may be considered at the Technician I or Technician II level based on the combination of education, relevant experience, technical depth, demonstrated independence, control systems knowledge, electrical/instrumentation capability, and facility needs.

• Experience maintaining, troubleshooting, calibrating, and repairing electrical, instrumentation, controls, and related plant systems.

• Experience with Ovation Distributed Control Systems (DCS), GE Mark VIe and Various PLC Controllers, CISCO CEMS controls and equipment. Programming and configuration capabilities highly preferred.

• Knowledge of equipment operating limits, parameters, operating procedures and systems. Performs corrective actions if limits are exceeded.
• Working knowledge of simple cycle power plant system, power plant operations, and maintenance, electrical principles, work practices, procedures and materials.
• Working knowledge of low and medium voltage electrical equipment, electrical troubleshooting practices, and applicable electrical safety standards, including NFPA 70E.
• Knowledge of and adherence to safety programs such as Lock Out Tag Out, Confined Space Entry, Qualified Electrical Worker, and other applicable programs.
• Ability to interpret control drawings and P&ID’s.
• Ability to make maintenance-related decisions with minimum direct supervision.
• Knowledge of instrumentation test equipment, signal generators, relay tests sets, oscilloscopes, and computers.
• Knowledge of industry-related CEM System hardware, software, and reporting.
• Familiarity with air permit compliance obligations, emissions recordkeeping, and routine air permitting reporting requirements preferred.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills and possess the ability to learn.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with an advanced understanding of chemistry, physics, electricity, and mathematics.
• Ability to follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail, accuracy, and timeliness.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to demonstrate basic computer knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and various other programs.
• Must be able to interact and communicate well with individuals in all areas of the company and outside vendors.
• Valid U.S. Driver license with acceptable MVR history, if applicable.

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation

• The associate will be required to adhere to large amounts of standing, walking, bending, squatting, and lifting. May be required to lift, carry, and move up to 50 lbs. Will use arms and hands to signal, grab, hold, turn, push, and pull objects, materials, controls, and tools. Will occasionally work at heights, climb ladders, stairways, and work off platforms. Will use vision abilities to focus, see short and long distances, colors, depth perception and peripheral vision. Will be required to work around low and medium voltage electrical equipment and wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to hard hat, safety glasses/goggles, ear plugs/muffs, masks/respirators, safety vests, gloves, arc-rated electrical PPE as required by NFPA 70E, and steel-toe boots.
• Ability to hear (at some dB limit of loss) in order to hear plant alarms, equipment condition, and to receive oral instructions.
• Ability to see to determine plant operating conditions and to avoid safety hazards.

THE TEAM

Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace our values of accountability, adaptability, collaboration, and excellence. At Onward Energy, we seek to find solutions rather than assign blame.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Performing this job without full/focused attention may cause serious injury or even fatality. Work is generally performed inside the power plant but may work in all weather conditions ranging from warm/hot - cool/cold. Occasional rain. Noise levels will be moderate to high. Job site will contain light to heavy equipment vehicles, small to large equipment, materials, communication equipment and tools.

THE TOTAL REWARDS

Onward Energy total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First, and offers associates a comprehensive total rewards package which includes market-competitive compensation, health, life insurance, and retirement savings benefits.

If you require an accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a disability to

Recruiting@onwardenergy.com

EEO STATEMENT:

Onward Energy is an Affirmative Action Employer, Females/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.