Power Plant Specialist Senior - Plant Operations

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• Make a Difference: Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
  
• Diverse and Inclusive Workplace: Work in an environment where every voice is valued, and Innovation thrives.
  
• Competitive Benefits: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
  
• Retirement Security: Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
  
• Sustainable Transportation Options: Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
  
• Focus on Wellness: Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
  
• Career Growth: Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
  
• Modern Workspaces: Work in innovative and sustainable environments designed to foster collaboration and inspiration.
  

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Job Description:

Purpose:

Under minimal supervision, troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment problems requiring mastery in two of the following areas: is a demonstrated ability in maintenance of electrical, mechanical, or instrumentation/control equipment, ability to operate power plant equipment and provide and utilized appropriate documentation and system updates of work orders. Develop work plans by researching and determining operational or equipment repair requirements.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

The following is required for mastery of the Operations Craft:

• Estimates starting time for the idle generation units and follows prescribe startup procedures to bring units on line at a specified time.
  
• Implements the Changes the loading of turbine/generator as required from the DCS (Distributed Control System) console or through other electronic control systems.
  
• Reads meters and records data at specified intervals in appropriate logs and computers and interprets results from the readings.
  

The following is required for mastery of the MECHANICAL craft:

• Responsible for installing, repairing and maintaining structural or mechanical equipment at the plant including, turbines; pumps; piping systems; boilers; cooling towers; condensers; scrubber; pressure vessels; and all other associated systems and equipment to maintain efficient plant production of electrical energy.
  
• Performs or directs millwright functions in setting up; aligning; balancing; and testing various machinery and equipment, such a turbines; pumps; shafts; bearings; gearboxes; and valves.
  
• Work with precision tools and instruments within close tolerances to maintain precision alignment and balance which is critical for maximum life and performance of machinery and equipment. Evaluate the measurements to ensure they meet designed tolerances.
  

The following is required for mastery of the ELECTRICAL craft:

• Troubleshoot, maintain, repair, program, and replace complex electrical equipment, A/C and D/C control circuits, magnetic starters, interlock systems, and alarms, to ensure reliable and safe electric generation.
  
• Maintain and calibrate electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, main generator, voltage regulator, exciter, protection circuits and relays, in plant transformers, bushings, transfer switches, and other electrical devices.
  
• Set up and test various electrical equipment with the use of special testing devices to measure voltage, current, and resistance or locate faults, malfunctions, or device failures.
  

The following is required for mastery of the INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL craft:

• Responsible for installing, calibrating, testing, troubleshooting, and maintaining protective circuits, computers, metering, monitoring, and control systems on boilers, turbines, generators, and plant auxiliary equipment.
  
• Remove, dismantle; clean; maintain; and assemble instruments and replace defective components. Perform in shop bench work and component troubleshooting on instrumentation.
  
• Reads, and interprets electric generating plants piping & instrument diagrams, wiring and logic diagrams to locate, identify, troubleshoot, and repair plant systems, instrumentation interlocks, etc.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• Provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of lock out/tag out procedures for removing equipment from service for maintenance.
  
• Knowledge of proper methods and procedures used in cleaning work area and equipment.
  
• Knowledge of applicable procedures, methods, equipment, tools, and materials involved in the operations, maintenance and repair of large equipment.
  
• Knowledge of safety rules, codes and regulations applicable when working on or near energized electrical systems, steam systems, and high-pressure water systems.
  
• Ability to make accurate gauge readings.
  
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
  
• Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations.
  
• Skills for mastery in two crafts.
  
• Ability to reference/interpret technical manuals sufficient to perform job tasks.
  
• Ability to work in extreme environments. (Hot or Cold)
  
• Ability to climb ladders and work in a noisy environment.
  
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
  
• Ability to wear a respirator where work environment requires.
  
• Ability to work 12 hour rotating shifts if work assignment requires.
  
• Ability to sit in front of a computer control console for a 12 hour shift if work assignment requires.
  
• Ability to use various hand and power tools.
  
• Ability to train others and assign work.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent and eight (8) years experience performing a maintenance or operations craft in a power plant or heavy industrial environment.
  
• Associate's degree may be substituted for two years of experience.
  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• None.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• GE 7FA Operations and maintenance experience.
  
• LM6000, Pratt & Whitney Operations and maintenance experience.
  
• Experience with Combine Cycle electric generation unit operations and maintenance
  
• Experience performing a maintenance or operations craft in a power plant or heavy industrial environment.
  
• HRSG/Boiler and cooling tower water chemistry experience
  

Notes to Candidate:

Sand Hill Energy Center Operations is responsible for but not limited to the following:

• Starting and Stopping Electric Generation Units.
  
• Taking plant readings at equipment.
  
• Working with the Maintenance departments as directed.
  
• Performing scheduled maintenance on plant equipment.
  
• Trouble shooting and repairing plant equipment as required.
  
• Collect and process Chemistry samples for boilers, cooling towers and to verify field analyzers.
  
• Operate plant equipment to maintain compliance with all environmental permits and regulatory entities
  
• Perform safe isolation of equipment in accordance with plant lock out tag out procedure.
  

• Work a 12 hour rotating schedule that includes nights weekends and holidays.
  
• Working in a hazardous environment that includes natural gas, Hydrogen gas, water treatment chemicals and high voltage electricity.
  
• Ability to work in extreme environments. (Hot or Cold)
  
• Ability to climb ladders and work in a noisy environment.
  
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
  
• Ability to wear a respirator where work environment requires
  

This position is essential to the City of Austin and may require weekends and overnight hours.

Work Location: Sand Hill Energy Center, 1101 Fallwell Ln., Del Valle, TX 78617

Pay Range: $37.63 (entry) - $47.98 (mid)

Days/Hours: Shift work is required.
Day and night shifts required.
Day shifts = 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Night shifts = 6:00 PM - 6:00 AM
Working weekends and holidays are required.

This position is essential to the City of Austin and may require weekends and overnight hours.
This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a City-designated emergency, Essential Employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees and ensure the continuity of essential operations. In such an emergency, Essential Employees may be called back in, may be required to modify their schedule, may be assigned to a City-designated work site, or may be retained on site to assist with operations and recovery.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

WHEN COMPLETING THE CITY OF AUSTIN APPLICATION :

The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history. A detailed and complete employment application is required to help us better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Describe your specific experience for each position. Include all job duties, responsibilities, and employment dates. Please be sure that your application is a reflection of your entire work history.

Statements such as “see resume” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your employment application. Supplemental information or changes to your application will not be accepted after the job posting closes.

The responses to the supplemental questions must reference the employment history listed in the employment history section. Once the requisition has closed, the application cannot be changed to update work history, supplemental questions, or any other information.

We reserve the right to verify high school and college education for the top candidate(s).

Assessments: Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

If you have any questions regarding your City of Austin employment application, please use the official website of the City of Austin as reference. www.austintexas.gov.

This position requires a criminal background investigation.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2025-09-09

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• City of Austin

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