Cogeneration Plant Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location: San Diego, CA

This position is responsible for operation, monitoring, and performing routine maintenance, in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, on all equipment located within the Cogeneration Facility. 

The Facility is operated and maintained by DTE San Diego Cogen, Inc., and owned by Rady Children's Hospital. The Production Team Member operates and maintains a Gas Turbine with a Heat Recovery Boiler, Auxiliary Steam Boilers, Electric and Absorption Chillers, Automation Controls, and all associated balance of plant equipment. Work is performed both independently and under direct supervision of plant manager with results reviewed through the achievement of set goals and adherence to policies and procedures.

The Cogeneration Facility generates electricity utilizing (1) Solar Taurus 60 Gas Turbine Generator, High Temperature Water via (1) Rentech Heat Recovery Boiler (HRB) and (2) Back-up Unilux Package Boilers, Chilled Water via (2) Trane Absorption Chillers and (3) Carrier Centrifugal Chillers and associated Balance of Plant (BOP) Equipment. All system operations are controlled with an automated PLC control system based on Rockwell Automation hardware and software. 

The Production Team Member is responsible for the preventative, corrective and overall maintenance of all facility systems and associated plant equipment to assure the plant is operated in a safe, reliable, and efficient manner. 

All activities within the Cogeneration Facility and Customer Complex are under the direction of the DTE San Diego Cogen, Inc. Plant Manager.

*Complies with all site safety requirements and procedures. Identifies safety hazards and takes corrective action as necessary
*Ensures that contract requirements and plant efficiency are maintained, and that local, state and federal safety and operational environmental standards are met
*Must be able to maintain and implement Key Metrics monitoring to evaluate and ensure facility systems and equipment are operating in the most efficient manner
*Maintains and ensures uniform application and technical correctness of all Operating logs, Records, Trends, and reports required for plant operation and as directed by Plant Management
*Conducts Contractor/Visitor Safety Orientations in accordance with Company Policy
*Facilitates pre-job briefs with staff/contractors to ensure worker safety and DTE policies and procedures are followed
*Is an active member of the site safety team/committee
*Assists in managing projects in support of plant and business goals, including Employee Safety Initiative (ESI's). Maintains and ensures all Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) are correct and up to date. Develops standard operating procedures (SOP's) as necessary or required directed by the Plant Manager
*Makes recommendations and improves operational processes
*Investigates operating abnormalities and incidents to improve equipment availability and performance and to minimize maintenance requirements
*Investigates and assists in the preparation of "RCA/Event Reports" in a timely manner for all forced outages, operational abnormalities, and/or events that require reporting, or as directed
*Creates "Shopping Carts" for Goods and Services for approval by Plant Manager
*Continuously evaluates the operating and maintenance processes and makes recommendations to the Plant Manager relative to optimizing O&M cost effectiveness, work quality, outage times, budgets, etc.
*Working knowledge of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)
*Maintains a consistent and effective level of communications with Plant Management
*Recommends and assists in the scheduling of and supervises the performance of overhauls of plant equipment and systems by outside contractors and/or plant staff. Assures work is planned, and progresses as scheduled to meet performance and cost objectives
*Provides input on inventory of spare parts consistent with preventive maintenance and repair requirements and the need to avoid unnecessary downtime
*Maximizes plant efficiency and shareholder value without compromising personnel and equipment safety, environmental compliance, or the long-term commercial viability of the facility
*Available for scheduled and unscheduled shift coverage, performs tasks that require physical exertion and is expected to respond to after-hours call-ins when contacted
*Supports all departments and performs other duties necessary to fulfill plant requirements
*This position is defined by, but not limited to, this list of duties and responsibilities

• A high school diploma or equivalent (GED)
• A minimum of 5 years related technical experience in operations and maintenance
• A thorough, demonstrated understanding of plant operations
• Strong understanding of Gas Turbines, Steam, Mechanical Chillers, Cooling Towers, Water Treatment, DCS, PLC Technology, Mechanical Systems, Hydraulics, Electricity and Electronics
• Understanding of accounting systems as related to work orders, PM's, and spare parts inventories
• Competent computer skills, especially Microsoft Office products such as Excel and Word
• Solid knowledge of plant engineering and plant maintenance functions and how they relate to operations
• Demonstrated skill in planning, coordinating, and directing varied programs and tasks directly effecting the overall plant operation
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to comprehend and apply technical information, including mechanical and electrical drawings (such as blueprints, P&IDs, single-line diagrams and schematics) to problem-solving situations and troubleshooting
• Ability to communicate and coordinate work on technical subjects with others across job families and with outside vendors

Preferred:

• Strong mechanical skills are required for this position. Instrumentation Controls and Electrical experience is a definite plus
• I&C experience strongly desired
• Technical training and demonstrated ability to perform successfully in similar work environments

The physical demands characterized here epitomize those that must be met by an employee to properly perform the integral functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In order to properly perform the integral functions of this job, the employee is required to: 

• Frequently stand or walk and sit
• Frequently climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or occasionally, crawl
• Talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and constantly reach with hands and arms
• Lift objects of up to 50 pounds in weight. Carry objects of up to 35 pounds in weight. Occasionally push or pull objects 70 pounds in weight 
• Vision requirements for this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus

The employee in this classification may be routinely required to work at heights and wear fall protection equipment; may be required to wear respiratory protective or escape/rescue equipment; may be required to wear electrical protective equipment to prevent Arc Flash hazards; and may be required to wear hearing protection and other PPE equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, and extreme heat and cold. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes, airborne particles and vibration. The employee is frequently exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards. The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.

Incumbents may engage in all or some combination of the activities and accountabilities, and utilize a variety of the competencies cited in this description depending upon the organization and role to which they are assigned. This description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents in this job. It is not intended as an all-inclusive list of accountabilities or responsibilities, nor is it intended to limit the rights of supervisors or management representatives to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.