Plant Operator

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Job Summary

The Plant Operator is responsible for the safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient operation of two supercritical lignite-fired generating units. This role operates, monitors, and controls boiler, turbine-generator, balance-of-plant, and lignite fuel-delivery systems from the control room.

The Plant Operator responds to changing unit conditions, alarms, equipment issues, and system disturbances; coordinates unit startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment clearances, and switching activities; and works closely with field operators, Shift Supervision, maintenance, engineering, and fuel-handling personnel. The role promotes safe, environmentally responsible, and reliable generation in accordance with approved procedures and applicable requirements.

Job Description

Key Accountabilities

• Operate and monitor two supercritical lignite-fired generating units from the control room.
• Maintain safe, stable, and efficient operation of the boiler, turbine-generator, and associated balance-of-plant systems.
• Monitor DCS indications, alarms, trends, process conditions, equipment performance, and operating parameters.
• Make timely operating decisions in response to changing unit conditions, equipment issues, system disturbances, and abnormal operating situations.
• Execute and coordinate unit startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment clearances, and switching activities in accordance with approved procedures.
• Work closely with field operators to verify equipment conditions and safely execute operating instructions.
• Operate and monitor lignite fuel-delivery systems, including rail unloading, conveyors, transfer equipment, bunkers, feeders, and associated controls.
• Monitor lignite inventory, fuel flow, conveyor performance, feeder operation, and material-handling alarms to maintain a reliable fuel supply to the generating units.
• Coordinate with fuel-handling personnel and Shift Supervision regarding train deliveries, unloading priorities, fuel inventory levels, and lignite-system operating conditions.
• Support the safe startup, shutdown, isolation, clearance, and restoration of lignite fuel-handling equipment.
• Identify abnormal equipment behavior, developing process issues, and fuel-handling concerns before they become significant operating or reliability problems.
• Communicate equipment conditions, operational risks, and plant-status changes clearly to the Shift Supervisor, maintenance personnel, engineers, fuel-handling personnel, and other plant personnel.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, records, and documentation, including unit operating status, fuel-delivery activity, train deliveries, fuel inventory, and lignite-system conditions.
• Support troubleshooting, incident reviews, and root-cause identification following equipment, process, or fuel-system issues.
• Follow all applicable safety, environmental, operating, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in emergency response, drills, training, procedure reviews, and continuous-improvement activities.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by plant management.

Education, Experience, and Skill Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of six years of related experience.
• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience operating utility-scale generating equipment from a control room.
• Understanding of supercritical steam generation and turbine-generator systems.
• Strong knowledge of DCS-based control and monitoring systems.
• Understanding of boiler combustion, steam-water systems, turbine operation, electrical generation, and major auxiliary systems.
• Ability to interpret trends, alarms, operating parameters, equipment indications, and process data to identify developing equipment or process issues.
• Ability to make sound decisions under pressure in a fast-paced, dynamic operating environment.
• Demonstrated effective oral and verbal communication skills and the ability to work successfully as part of a shift team.
• Ability to follow approved procedures while recognizing equipment or process conditions that are not behaving as expected.
• Strong commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, regulatory compliance, and reliable generation.
• Ability to maintain accurate operating logs and other required documentation.
• Ability to work without direct supervision in unit upset conditions.

Pre-Employment Assessment

All applicants must be successful candidates on the Plant Operator Selection System/Power Plant Operations and Maintenance (POSS/MASS) program to be considered for this position. POSS/MASS examinations are administered as needed. Communication regarding testing will be sent to the email address provided by the candidate during the application process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Power plant operator or control room operating experience.
• Experience operating supercritical generating units.
• Experience operating or monitoring lignite fuel-delivery and material-handling systems.
• Experience using the PI System to evaluate operating, equipment-performance, and process trends.
• Experience with Foxboro control systems.
• Understanding of lignite fuel-handling systems, including rail delivery and unloading, conveyors, transfer equipment, bunkers, feeders, and associated process controls.
• Relevant technical training, associate degree, technical degree, or equivalent industry experience.
• Applicable power plant operator certifications or qualifications.

Work Schedule and Physical Requirements

This is a 24/7 power-generation operation. Shift work, including nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime, is expected.

The successful candidate must be able to respond calmly and think clearly during emergency or abnormal operating conditions. The position may require access to all areas of the plant, including elevated areas, hot areas, and confined spaces, as needed to support assigned responsibilities. The candidate must be able to read and respond to computer-generated data, instrumentation, gauges, and readouts; operate keyboards, controls, pushbuttons, dials, and valves; and perform other physical activities required to safely complete assigned work.

Additional Information

This job description is not intended to provide a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned as operational needs require.

Job Family

Plant Operations

Company

Oak Grove Management Co LLC

Locations

Franklin, Texas

Texas

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If you currently work for Vistra or its subsidiaries, please apply via the internal career site.

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