POWER PLANT OPERATOR SENIOR3296N2 Pay Grade: 18 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is skilled work in the operation, maintenance, and repair of low or high-pressure steam boilers and other power and mechanical systems in a power plant. Work involves the skilled operation, maintenance, and repair of boilers, water softeners, chillers, compressors, generators, and other related power plant equipment. Employees in this class either oversee and train one or more lower-level operators on a shift, or are independently responsible for operating and for performing major, difficult repair and maintenance work on all power plant equipment. Work includes inspecting equipment, recording gauge or meter readings, testing water, performing preventive maintenance, and installing, adjusting, or repairing valves, pipes, pumps, and other mechanical equipment. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL B: "Under general supervision…" Employees working under general supervision usually receive some instructions with respect to the details of most assignments but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and subject to only periodic checks. Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average… Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL C: Work is of a standardized nature that may involve a variety of duties. Analytical thought becomes more important at this level due to increased data and changing situations. Tasks usually have several steps, some of which may not be directly related. Alternatives may exist for processes or methods to be used in solving problems. Workers at this level exercise a moderate amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by routine review and reporting to or consultation with supervisors. When guidelines exist at this level, they tend to be more complicated or technical in nature requiring careful interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial. Contacts - LEVEL A: The purpose of the contact is to obtain, clarify, give or screen established factual information, regardless of the type (i.e., easily understood or technical) within a well-defined relationship. Normal communication skills are required. Physical Demands - LEVEL C: The work requires moderate physical exertion. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL B: Involves functional leadership responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the evaluation of work performance. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Power Plant Operator class in which the work is semi-skilled routine power plant operations. Differs from the Building Systems Technician class in which electrical and mechanical systems which control the building environments are operated and maintained. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Participates in and may supervise the installation, alteration, operations, and maintenance of power plant equipment, refrigeration, and other mechanical systems. Makes rounds of power plant at regular intervals, reading gauges, testing water, adjusting controls, and observing operation of all equipment; keeps powerhouse log, recording gauge readings, fuel consumed, and power generated. Performs preventive maintenance and repair on power plant mechanical equipment, including valves, pumps, flowmeters, steam lines, and turbines; performs general plumbing and electrical work related to equipment. Oversees semi-skilled and part-time employees; instructs subordinates in the proper care and use of equipment and in proper procedures and methods of mechanical equipment maintenance and repair. May occasionally perform maintenance and repair work on mechanical systems outside of the power plant. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of the methods, processes, and tools used to operate, repair, and maintain boilers, softeners, chillers, compressors, generators, and other mechanical equipment and systems in power plants. *Knowledge of the occupational hazards and necessary safety precautions of mechanical equipment operation, maintenance, and repair. Abilities Ability to supervise and instruct subordinates. *Ability to maintain records and prepare standard oral and written reports. Ability to perform maintenance and repair work on all mechanical equipments and systems in a power plant. Skills *Skill in the use of tools and the operation of machines and equipment commonly used in preventive maintenance and repair work. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Two years of experience in power plant operation. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency. NC: 12/87 |