Plant Operator/Mechanic

Welcome to the intersection of energy and home services. At NRG, we’re all about propelling the next generation of leaders forward. We are driven by our passion to create a smarter, cleaner and more connected future. We deliver innovative solutions that make our customers’ lives easier—helping them power, protect, and intelligently manage their homes and businesses. To do this, we need creative and talented people to join our company.

We offer a dynamic work environment and a unified and inclusive culture. NRG fosters a strong sense of belonging that leads to better collaboration and business performance. Our company programs are designed to help employees develop the skills they need for success now and in the future. In everything we do, we aim to champion our employees and bring value to our customers, investors and society. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, LinkedIn, and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.

GENERAL PURPOSE 

Operate and maintain a power plant for the production of electricity

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform routine inspections of equipment for proper operation and availability. Assist in the start-up, operation, and shutdown of mechanical equipment to meet business plan requirements. Manually operate valves, pumps, dampers, and other equipment as necessary. Perform switching of electrical equipment up to 138 kV. Perform operations to place generating equipment in and out of service.
• Determine the operating status of equipment from previous shift personnel, logbook entries, visual inspection of records, indicating instruments, and by local inspection.
• Monitor equipment for proper operation and make adjustments as required. Diagnose equipment problems and report abnormal conditions. Respond calmly to emergency situations and take corrective action to operate equipment within safe limits and good industry practice. Through visual inspection and instrumentation, determine equipment malfunctions, probable causes and write appropriate maintenance orders.
• Perform safety related duties including equipment isolation for lock out/tag out procedures, monitoring of confined spaces, monitoring hot work permits, inspecting excavations, monitoring of barricaded areas and performing PPE assessments. Perform other safety related duties as required to maintain a safe work environment.
• Assist others with Management of Change by gathering data, performing diagnostic tests, performing new equipment installations and other plant improvements. Provide recommendations to maintain and improve equipment performance.
• Write and maintain equipment logs, procedures, timesheets, expense reports and other documentation as required. Maintain drawings, specifications, test logs and other records. Read, understand and respond to written instructions and logbook notations. Check e-mail, public folders, acknowledgments of information and other electronic or computer generated documents
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, procure parts and perform repairs on equipment.  Maintain tool inventories and supplies to perform such tasks.
• Participate in daily preventive, planned and breakdown maintenance activities in a safe, effective and timely manner.
• Collect data and perform other tasks associated with Reliability Based Maintenance program. Perform routine equipment lubrication schedules.
• Handle, store and dispense hazardous substances. Monitor hazardous material accumulation sites, label containers, observe hazardous waste storage areas for unusual occurrences and maintain areas in a clean and orderly fashion.
• Report all accidents, incidents, fires and abnormal conditions to the control room per established procedures. Assist in fighting fires within the facility with hand-held fire extinguishers up to the level trained.
• Perform functions associated with plant security, including patrolling fence perimeter and lock inspections.
• Read, understand, and assist in revisions of operating and maintenance instructions, plant orders, plant procedures, and other manuals and instructions.
• Tutor, train, instruct and assist other personnel as required. Maintain own knowledge and skill levels current for equipment, tooling and other change demands.

• Function as a member of strategic, implementation and improvement teams.
• Maintain a positive company image and constructive relationships with all internal and external customers.
• Perform housekeeping functions that include sweeping, dusting, picking up refuse, wiping down equipment and hosing down areas of the plant.
• Operate a company vehicle, forklift, and other mobile equipment.
• May be required to travel for training and/or other company business. This includes travel by automobile and commercial airlines.
• Required to participate in a DOT drug-testing program. 
• Perform other duties and assignments as directed. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 

Thorough knowledge of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical equipment and systems. Thorough knowledge of plant terminology and nomenclature. Thorough knowledge of power plant equipment, construction, capacities, limitations, theories of operation and operating procedures. Knowledge of the principles of power plant water chemistry. Knowledge of maintenance procedures and practices. Knowledge of proper and safe working practices including methods to implement lockout/tag out of equipment and confined space entry.

Skilled in the use of hand and power tools. Skilled in the use of mobile equipment such as forklifts and man lifts. Skilled in the use of a computer.

Ability to effectively communicate clearly in writing and verbally. Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to give direction to other employees. Ability to read and understand technical information, prints and engineering data, interpret charts, graphs, and gauge scales. Ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment and system problems. Ability to interface with others and effectively function as a member and leader of a team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Equipment may be located in areas requiring working from a step stool or climbing vertical ladders and stairways up to 150 feet.
• Equipment located in confined spaces may require employee to reach by stooping and/or crawling through tight clearances, or by lying down. Some confined spaces can be accessed only by lowering oneself into the space feet first, after first removing a hatch weighing 10 to 25 pounds.
• Employee may routinely be required to stand for extended periods of time and to walk over uneven surfaces such as loose rock, open grating and up and down ladders and staircases.
• Employee may need to carry tools, materials and equipment generally weighing up to 50 pounds and more. Some tools are irregularly shaped and can weigh up to 80 pounds. While working on equipment or instruments with pressurized systems, it may be required to lift tools and cylinders that contain high pressured gases or compressed air and are 4 to 5 feet in height and may weigh up to 50 pounds.
• The compartments where certain equipment or instruments need to be accessed may exceed 150 degrees F. Other instruments and equipment to be serviced are mounted on surfaces where the temperature may exceed 600 degrees F.
• Maintenance activities may include working on electrical equipment with voltages up to 138 kV.
• Employee may be required to work long periods at a computer terminal.
• Employee may be required to work rotating shifts. Employee will be required to work overtime.
• Employee will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes but not limited to fire resistant uniforms, steel-toed EH rated work boots, hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, fall protection and other job specific PPE.

REQUIREMENTS 

• High school graduate or GED. 
• Minimum of five years’ experience in the operation and maintenance of a power generating facility or applicable work experience.   OR
• Military training and/or experience in applicable plant operations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION

• Strong electrical aptitude, basic understanding of mathematics, physics, water chemistry and mechanics desirable.

 Please Note:  Salary offered will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and/or experience and in accordance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement covering this position.

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.  EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.  

Official description on file with Talent.