29-Power production plant operators

Job Title: 

Power production plant operators

Job Description: 

Control, operate, adjust or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

Summary: 

Power-production plant operators operate, monitor and maintain electricity production generation plants, switchgear and related/auxiliary equipment in electrical control centres which control the production and distribution of electrical or other power in transmission networks. The equipment operated includes nuclear reactors, turbines, generators and other auxiliary equipment in electrical power generating stations.

Tasks: 

Job activities and tasks include:

  • operating, monitoring and inspecting various types of energy generating power plants
  • operating and controlling power generating systems and equipment including boilers, turbines, generators, condensers, and reactors in hydro, thermal, coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear power plants to generate and distribute electrical power
  • controlling start-up and shut-down of power plant equipment, controlling switching operations, regulating water levels and communicating with systems operators to regulate and coordinate transmission loads, frequency and line voltages
  • taking readings from charts, meters and gauges at established intervals, troubleshooting and performing corrective action as necessary
  • completing and maintaining station records, logs and reports, and communicating with other plant personnel to assess equipment operating status
  • cleaning and maintaining equipment such as generators, boilers, turbines, pumps, and compressors in order to prevent equipment failure or deterioration
Knowledge: 

Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, regulations, standards and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, commerce, data, property, and institutions

  • Power plant operators use computers to report unusual incidents, malfunctioning equipment, or maintenance performed during their shifts
  • Coordination of Material Resources - Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
  • Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology; This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services
  • Construction and Processing - Knowledge of materials, construction processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective construction of structures buildings and facilities
  • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models
  • Power Generation Engineering Fundamentals - Knowledge of power production, distribution and related processes, encompassing designing, building, and maintaining power generation and distribution systems, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; Including troubleshooting and determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of oneself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance
  • Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems
  • Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
  • Time Management - Managing one?s own time and the time of others
  • Instructing - Teaching others how to do something
  • Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things
  • Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways
  • Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly measure and estimate exact positions
  • English (Technical) Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the engineering related technical English terminologies
  • Information Communications Technology - Knowledge and use of relevant engineering applications and programs.
    • Work Context: 

    Work at large industrial sites such as power stations. Often are required to work outdoors in all weather conditions, and are exposed to noisy and potentially dangerous situations. Some plant operators work solely indoors in control rooms and offices

    Education: 

    Diploma in an engineering discipline, higher qualification or equivalent.!!Employers may also seek recent high school graduates for entry-level operator positions with a Secondary School Certificate particularly good results in physics, science and maths.!

    Required Work Experience: 

    3 - 4 years and above.

    Probable Employers: 

    Abu Dhabi Farms Service Centre, Municipality of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority

    Occupational Size: 
    More than 5,000 and less than 30,000
    Expected Earnings: 

    Higher than the industry average

    Projected Growth: 
    Excellent
    Alternate Titles: 

    Examples of job titles:
    Electric power plant operator - Hydroelectric power plant operator - Nuclear power plant operator - Solar power plant operator - Distribution control operator - Generating station operator - Power system operator
    Examples of some related occupations:
    Steam engine and boiler operators - Plant operator - Auxiliary operator - Control operator - Unit operator - Power plant operator - Boiler operator - Control centre operator - Control room operator - Plant control operator

    UAE Industry Groups: 
    Industrial
    International Careers(ISCO): 
    Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
    Source Of Info: 
    Occupations and Careers Handbook for UAE Nationals(Copyright NQA ). Referenced from New York University, Abu Dhabhi