City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Power Plant Technician Senior

Under minimal supervision, troubleshoot and resolve complex equipment problems requiring mastery in one of the following areas: is a demonstrated ability in maintenance of electrical, mechanical, or instrumentation/control equipment, ability to operate power plant equipment and provide and utilized appropriate documentation and system updates of work orders.   Develop work plans by researching and determining operational or equipment repair requirements.

The “Power Plant Technician Sr.” position requires demonstrated mastery in one Craft.

The following is required for mastery of the Operations Craft:

1. Estimates starting time for the idle generation units and follows prescribe startup procedures to bring units on line at a specified time.
2. Implements the Changes the loading of turbine/generator as required from the DCS (Distributed Control System) console or through other electronic control systems.
3. Reads meters and records data at specified intervals in appropriate logs and computers and interprets results from the readings.
Duties 4-12 are available at any of the Austin Energy Power Plants

The following is required for mastery of the MECHANICAL craft:

1. Responsible for 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. Performs or directs millwright functions in setting up; aligning; balancing; and testing various machinery and equipment, such a turbines; pumps; shafts; bearings; gearboxes; and valves.
3. Work with precision tools and instruments within close tolerances to maintain precision alignment and balance which is critical for maximum life and performance of machinery and equipment.  Evaluate the measurements to ensure they meet designed tolerances.
Duties 4-11 are available at any of the Austin Energy Power Plants.

The following is required for mastery of the ELECTRICAL craft:

1. Troubleshoot, maintain, repair, program, and replace complex electrical equipment, A/C and D/C control circuits, magnetic starters, interlock systems, and alarms, to ensure reliable and safe electric generation.
2. Maintain and calibrate 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.
3. Set up and test various electrical equipment with the use of special testing devices to measure voltage, current, and resistance or locate faults, malfunctions, or device failures.  Duties 4-8 are available at any of the Austin Energy Power Plants.

The following is required for mastery of the INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL craft:

1. Responsible for installing, calibrating, testing, troubleshooting, and maintaining protective circuits, computers, metering, monitoring, and control systems on boilers, turbines, generators, and plant auxiliary equipment.
2. Remove, dismantle; clean; maintain; and assemble instruments and replace defective components.  Perform in shop bench work and component troubleshooting on instrumentation.
3. Reads, and interprets electric generating plants piping & instrument diagrams, wiring and logic diagrams to locate, identify, troubleshoot, and repair plant systems, instrumentation interlocks, etc.
Duties 4-9 are available at any of the Austin Energy Power Plants

• Provides leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

• 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 applicable procedures, methods, equipment, tools, and materials involved in the operations, maintenance and repair of large equipment.
• Knowledge of safety rules, codes and regulations applicable when working on or near energized electrical systems, steam systems, and high-pressure water systems.
• Ability to make accurate gauge readings.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
• Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations.
• Skills for mastery in one maintenance craft or in the operations craft.
• Ability to reference/interpret technical manuals sufficient to perform job tasks.
• 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.
• Ability to train others and assign work.

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus four (4) years experience performing a maintenance or operations craft in a power plant or heavy industrial environment. 
• Associates Degree may substitute for two (2) years of experience.

• None.