Operating Technician III and Channelview, TX

UNITED STATES • FIELD AREA (Plant) • FULL-TIME

Position Summary

Altura Cogen is a 600 MW natural gas-fired, combined cycle cogeneration power plant located in Channelview, TX.  Altura Cogen sells steam and electricity to the host petrochemical plant and also exports power to the open wholesale power market.
 

The Operating Technician III, under the limited supervision of the Chief Operator, will assist with operation and maintenance of power plant equipment and systems in a safe, reliable, efficient, and environmentally correct manner while assigned on shift.  Completely supports the safe and reliable start-up, operation, shutdown, and maintenance of the cogeneration facility’s equipment and systems.  Operates, maintains, troubleshoots, and assists in the repair of mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, and instrumentation.  The candidate will produce optimal performance in full compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

 

Qualified senior Operating Technician III personnel may be selected as a Chief Backup.  The Chief Backup is responsible for supporting and assisting the Chief Operator.  Those items related to the Chief Operator role are italicized. 

 

This position is open to local candidates or those able to relocate on their own as there is no relocation assistance available for this position.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

·         Ensure that steam and power generation exports are maintained at optimal level and efficiency.  Assist and work with Traders, offtakers, and suppliers to ensure safe and optimal operations.

·         Observe and monitor overall facility operations from the Control Room.

·         Monitor and interpret unit and system readings and information for variances and trending from prescribed operating standards and procedures.

·         Report normal, abnormal, or emergency plant conditions to the Chief Operator and Plant Management.  Take all necessary corrective action(s) in accordance with established policy, procedure, or at the direction of senior management.

·         Monitor plant equipment and systems for safe, reliable, and efficient performance within scope of responsibility.  Ensure compliance with all safety and environmental requirements, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and company policies.

·         Responsible for writing and overseeing the upkeep of Site Log and other reports as required in a neat and professional manner.

·         Reviews East and West Operators logs and documents after each round during the shift and reports discrepancies to the Chief/Board Operator.

·         Directs adjustments and minor maintenance corrections on equipment found operating beyond the prescribed setting or an unsafe condition (oil, air, water, steam, natural gas, leaks).

·         Performs routine maintenance of basic plant equipment as directed by the Chief Operator.

·         Uses the CMMS system for entering work requests and other maintenance work requirements.

·         Support maintenance activities as required such as equipment testing.

·         Report and correct unsafe conditions or hazards.

·         Inventory materials and maintain at specified levels and reorder as necessary.

·         Manage and record the securing and isolation equipment under LOTO for maintenance purposes.

·         Coordinates remote start-up, shutdown, and operations, as well as local startup of all equipment.

·         Perform troubleshooting and trending to correct the cause of any operational abnormality or problem.

·         Conduct routine observations and tests/trending to ensure power block and balance of plant are operating at optimal levels.

·         Participate in facility continued training program, include the training of plant personnel.

·         Assist in the development/review of all plant operations documentation (procedures, standing orders, system descriptions, operations training, etc.).

·         Maintains proficiency as a qualified Plant Operator (through Board Operator).

·         Willing and available to work scheduled and un-scheduled overtime as necessary to maintain plant readiness.

·         Perform other duties and administrative tasks as assigned by Chief Operator or Plant Operations Supervisor.

·         Stops unsafe work.

·         Monitors performance to permit limitations and stops operations that violate regulations.

·         Maintains high housekeeping standards.

In addition, the Chief Backup:

·         Takes a proactive interest in ensuring that facility operations are maintained at optimal levels and efficiencies and assists the Chief Operator in ensuring that facility operations are maintained at optimal levels and efficiencies.  Monitors and interprets data, readings, and operational situations for variances and trending from prescribed operating standards and procedures.

·         Assumes all responsibilities of the Chief Operator in his/her absence.

·         Leads/assists troubleshooting efforts and follow-up actions for plant problems, incidents, accidents, and unusual events. 

·         Assists Chief Operator with preparing required daily and routine correspondence and reports, including reviewing Site Log, operating logs, reports, and records, during and at end of shift, and ensures all are accurate and complete. 

·         Places a priority on getting things done.  Supports Team Members in achieving tasks and goals.

·         Promotes good attitude, leadership, teamwork, and professionalism within his/her team. 

 COMPETENCIES:

·         Demonstrated knowledge of cogeneration power plant systems including fundamentals, systems and equipment including system inter-relationship, and functional tasks.

·         In-depth knowledge of safety and environmental regulations

·         Ability to perform technical job duties with little assistance

·         Demonstrates honesty and trustworthiness in work relationships

·         Demonstrates excellence in shared decision-making, continuous improvement, open communication, teamwork, and accountability

In addition, the Chief Backup will:

·         Have thorough knowledge of operating ranges and operating parameters for systems and equipment.

·         Be a Self-starter who works well without direct supervision and creates an environment of enthusiasm for employees.

 Communications Skills:

·         Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedures/manuals, and Process/piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs).

·         Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

·         Ability to provide input to and complete routine reports, correspondence and procedures.             

·         Demonstrated strong listening skills.

Mathematical Skills:

·         Ability to apply the concepts of fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations

·         Ability to apply mathematical operations to frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis

 Analyses and Problem-Solving Abilities:

·         Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. 

·         Ability to investigate and diagnose equipment problems and implement corrective action based on skills and experience.  Ability to collect data, establish facts, and draw valid and concrete conclusions that can be acted upon.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

·         Requires working a 12-hour/day rotating scheduled shift. 

·         Position entails climbing stairs, working at heights (possibly several times per shift), standing for long periods of time, operating objects, tools or controls, reaching with hands and arms, operating large valves, lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds overhead and 75 pounds from the floor to 36". 

·         Visual requirements include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust visual focus. 

·         Cogeneration Power Plant environment includes exposure to hazards associated with industrial high-speed rotating equipment, high pressure and high temperature equipment and systems, steam, natural gas, hydrogen, low/medium/high voltage electricity, confined spaces, power and hand tools, dust, fumes; regularly subject to external environmental conditions such as cold, heat dust, snow or noise and fumes from equipment or chemicals.

·         Noise levels are moderately loud and may vary throughout the plant site. 

·         Regularly works near moving mechanical parts and may be exposed to toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock and vibration. 

·         Work shift hours, overtime, and irregular hours as needed to support reliable operation of the facility. From time to time the working hours will be determined on short notice based on plant requirements.

·  Facility is also located adjacent to a Chemical Processing Facility.

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Education/Experience Required

Minimum Education and Experience:

·         High school diploma or GED with four to six years of related experience in an industrial facility, or equivalent combination of education and/or experience related to the discipline.  

·         Mechanical, instrumentation, and/or electrical equipment knowledge is required.

·         Must be willing to work a rotating 12-hour shift, overtime, and be available for emergencies and outage maintenance.

·         Advanced computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access).  Advanced knowledge of personal computers and numerous software applications (i.e., CMMS, Maximo, etc.) is a plus.

 

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

·         Successful completion of all introductory cogeneration training courses.

·         Must have fulfilled requirements of Operating Technician III and completed assigned Training and Qualification Standards through Board Operator, including passing written and/or oral examinations.

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