Located in Tonopah, AZ, the New Harquahala Generating Company operates a state-of-the-art combined cycle power plant. This 1,092 MW facility is equipped with three Siemens SGT6-6000G natural-gas combined cycle units, making it a significant contributor to the local energy grid. The plant’s advanced technology and efficient operations help meet the energy needs of Maricopa County while minimizing environmental impact.
Opportunity Summary
The Control Room Operator (CRO) is responsible for monitoring the status of all plant systems on a continuous basis. The CRO ensures that alarms and upset conditions are properly cleared by taking appropriate corrective actions; executes plant start-up and shut down procedures, as required, and ensures that the plant meets its generating requirements while operating in a safe and efficient manner.
Primary Duties
- Assist with the start-up, operation, and shutdown of all equipment, including turbine/generators.
- Operate plant equipment safely within environmental limits to meet production schedules.
- Demonstrate proficiency in operating all plant equipment and proactively monitor systems.
- Ensure safe and efficient operation of equipment, including combustion turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, generators, and auxiliaries.
- Monitor plant equipment performance and take appropriate corrective actions in response to activated alarms.
- Communicate plant abnormalities to other personnel or management.
- Assist in troubleshooting technical issues and diagnosing equipment failures/anomalies.
- Assist with control measures during plant upset conditions, including containment, control, and corrective actions.
- Ensure timely and accurate completion of daily logs and other plant records, including electrical output, steam output, emissions, fuel consumption, water consumption, and heat rates.
- Conduct periodic reviews of logs and records to ensure effective functioning of tag-out procedures, equipment status, and administrative systems.
- Participate in maintaining plant operating manuals, technical references, prints, diagrams, and preventive/predictive maintenance records.
- Actively support the Maintenance Team in executing maintenance plans by providing support in lockout/tagout procedures, equipment identification, troubleshooting, and work request preparation as needed.
- Fully support and actively participate in NAES Safety and Regulatory Compliance Programs.
- Complete other tasks as requested by the Operations Manager or Lead Operations Technician.
NAES Safe
Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employees performance.
Working Relationships
The CRO reports to the Operations Manager. The CRO cooperates with and responds to directions from the Operations Manager and Lead Operations Technician. The CRO gives direction to maintenance personnel on matters pertaining to plant operations and gives direction to Auxiliary Operators.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions
Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds. Protective equipment such as hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection and others must be worn in the performance of some duties. Work with hazardous materials may be required. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility.
Fitness for Duty
All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening.
Work Schedule
This position requires working twelve hour rotating shifts (modified Dupont schedule) with the possibility of overtime, weekend and holiday work as required by schedules, workload and plant conditions.
Compensation
The initial hourly rate of pay will range from $48.22 – $54.14 depending on experience and qualifications.
Job Qualifications
- Ability to understand procedures and instructions specific to the area of assignment, typically acquired through four years of high school. An Associate Degree in a technical field is desirable.
- Experience as a Control Room Operator or in an equivalent position in an operating or generating plant is preferred. Direct experience with combined cycle large frame gas turbine power plants is highly preferred.
- Extensive working knowledge of the power plant industry is highly desirable.
- Experience in water chemistry control, water condition analysis, water treatment facility operations, and chemical handling requirements is strongly desired.
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of combustion/steam turbine operations, closed system generation, industrial safety practices, hazardous waste management, and plant parameter inspection/recording is highly desirable.
- Experience with piping and instrument schematics and process controls is advantageous.
- Experience in reading and interpreting DCS logic is beneficial.
- Must possess excellent organizational, oral, and written communication skills.
- Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license at all times.
About NAES
NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.
NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.
Preferred
- Ability to understand procedures and instructions specific to the area of assignment, typically acquired through four years of high school. An Associate Degree in a technical field is desirable.
- Experience as a Control Room Operator or in an equivalent position in an operating or generating plant is preferred. Direct experience with combined cycle large frame gas turbine power plants is highly preferred.
- Extensive working knowledge of the power plant industry is highly desirable.
- Experience in water chemistry control, water condition analysis, water treatment facility operations, and chemical handling requirements is strongly desired.
- Theoretical and practical knowledge of combustion/steam turbine operations, closed system generation, industrial safety practices, hazardous waste management, and plant parameter inspection/recording is highly desirable.
- Experience with piping and instrument schematics and process controls is advantageous.
- Experience in reading and interpreting DCS logic is beneficial.
Preferred
- Technical/other training or better in Power Plant Technology or related field
- High School or better
Required
Preferred
- Control Room Operations
- DCS – Distributed Control System
- Gas Turbines
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Piping & Instrumentation Design (P&ID)
- Power Plant Fundamentals
- Power Plant Operations
- Verbal and Written Communications
- Water Chemistry
- Water Treatment
Preferred
- Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
- Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group