City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Power Plant Apprentice

Under direct supervision, operate, maintain, or repair equipment in one of the following areas: demonstrated ability in maintenance of electrical, mechanical, or instrumentation/control equipment or ability to operate power plant equipment and assist with executing work plans.

The Power Plant Apprentice is an entry-level position for candidates to demonstrate an aptitude for performing duties of one or more Power Plant Crafts. 
 
Under direct supervision the following is required for apprenticeship competency of the OPERATIONS craft: 
1.    Reads meters and records data at specified intervals in appropriate logs and computers.
2.    Immediately reports malfunctioning equipment of abnormal meter readings/equipment performance to the supervisor. 
3.    Implements some limited plant operating procedures.
4.    Assists other operations employees on shift to insure successful start-up, operation, and shut-down of units.

Under direct supervision the following is required for apprenticeship competency of the MECHANICAL craft: 
1.   Assists with installing, repairing and maintaining structural or mechanical equipment at the plant including, turbines; pumps; piping systems; boilers; cooling towers; condensers; scrubber; pressure vessels; and all other associated systems and equipment to maintain efficient plant production of electrical energy.
2.   Provide assistance with routine preventative maintenance on all assigned machinery and equipment, and check equipment for wear and possible down time to prevent major problems and emergency shut downs.
3.   May assist in operation of machines such as drill press; grinders and power saws in repairing; rebuilding, and maintaining power plant machinery and equipment.

Under direct supervision the following is required for apprenticeship competency of the ELECTRICAL craft: 
1.   Assist in maintenance and calibrating electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, main generator, voltage regulator, exciter, protection circuits and relays, in plant transformers, bushings, transfer switches, and other electrical devices.
2.   Assist with preventive maintenance to insure continuity of electrical service.
3.   Assist with installation of wire and cable.

Under direct supervision the following is required for apprenticeship competency of the INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL craft: 
1.   Assist with installing, calibrating, testing, and maintaining protective circuits, computers, metering, monitoring, and control systems on boilers, turbines, generators, and plant auxiliary equipment.
2.   Assist with removing, dismantling; cleaning; maintaining; and assembling instruments.
3.   Assist with the execution of best practices determined by others to repair equipment.

• Knowledge of lock out/tag out procedures for removing equipment from service for maintenance.
• Knowledge of proper methods and procedures used in cleaning work area and equipment.
• Knowledge of safety rules.
• Ability to make simple gauge readings.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations.
• Ability to work in extreme environments. (Hot or Cold)
• Ability to climb ladders and work in a noisy environment.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear a respirator where work environment requires.
• Ability to work 12 hour rotating shifts if work assignment requires.
• Ability to sit in front of a computer control console for a 12 hour shift if work assignment requires.
• Ability to use various hand and power tools.

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.

• None.