State of Connecticut Executive Branch

At the University of Connecticut this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of duties in the control room of the cogeneration power plant.

Works under the general supervision of a Lead Power Plant Operator or other employee of higher grade.

May lead and train Power Plant Operator 1’s and Power Plant Operator Trainee(s), as assigned.  

• Performs highly skilled duties to ensure safe operation and production of high pressure superheated steam, electrical power and chilled water to meet energy needs; 
• Utilizes a distributed control system to monitor performance of cogeneration power plant's equipment and systems such as gas and steam turbine engines, boilers, duct burners, feed water and condensate systems, water chemistry, fuel system, ammonia and emissions monitoring systems, blow down system, cooling tower and chilled water distribution; 
• Makes necessary production process control and performance adjustments within defined ranges set by state and federal regulations and manufacturer guidelines; 
• Detects faulty or erratic equipment operation through improper reads on display screens or system generated reports; 
• Notifies Power Plant Operator 1 to make manual adjustments and/or shut down or startup of equipment or plant; 
• Monitors hours of run for all equipment to ensure balanced usage and mixes to influence energy spending rate; 
• Mathematically calculates conversion tables to determine steam pressure, water flow and temperatures; 
• Determines proper course of action for remediation and advises proper authority; 
• Prepares work orders for faulty equipment; 
• Reports and responds to chemical, fuel, oil leaks or spills in accordance with plant emergency response plans; 
• Prepares daily logs and reports; 
• Attends safety meetings; 
• May perform work outside of control room; 
• May perform routine and/or scheduled maintenance and repairs on rotating shift; 
• Performs related duties as required.

• Knowledge of
  • theory and application of operation of large condensing extracting steam turboelectric generating equipment and related auxiliaries; 
  • theory and application of large high pressure boilers equipped with super heaters; 
  • industrial instrumentation and control systems; 
  • arithmetic functions including algebra and geometry; 
  • fire and accident prevention techniques and methods of responding to fires; 
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills; 
  • oral and written communications skills; 
• Ability to
  • use technical manuals; 
  • read and interpret schematic diagrams such as piping and instruments, electrical one-line, logic, etc.; 
  • apply some principles of physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid flow and combustion; 
  • utilize computer software.

Three (3) years of experience in a power plant or industrial setting to include the operation, maintenance and repair of steam boilers, generators or other mechanical equipment.

NOTE: Based on an individual’s technical experience, the length of credited service will be determined at the discretion of facility management.

One (1) year of the General Experience must have included work performed at a cogeneration power plant or an equivalent industrial plant capable of producing high pressure superheated steam, electrical power and chilled water to meet energy needs.

NOTE:  For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Power Plant Operator 1.

• Graduation from a vocational or technical school with a diploma in a related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
• College training in mechanical engineering or a related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience up to one (1) year.

• Incumbents in this class must have adequate physical strength, stamina, physical agility and visual and auditory acuity, and must maintain such physical fitness as to be able to perform the duties.
• A physical examination may be required.

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift moderate to heavy weights, use protective equipment such as respirators and safety goggles and may be exposed to significant levels of noise, dust, heat and risk of injury from equipment and/or environmental conditions.

Classified/Competitive