Control Room Operator Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

As an NRG employee, we encourage you to take charge of your career and development journey. We invite you to explore exciting opportunities across our businesses. You’ll find that our dynamic work environment provides variety and challenge. Your growth is key to our ongoing success—take the lead in shaping your career development, goals and future!

Job Summary: 

The Combustion Turbine Technician is a shift employee responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, and monitoring of all plant systems and equipment continuously at the University Park North and South Plants in University Park, IL. The University Park North facility is a 522 MW gas-fired peaking facility with 12 GE LM6000 gas turbines, and the University Park South facility is a 321 MW gas-fired peaking facility with 6 Pratt and Whitney FT8 Twin Packs.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Perform the required activities of the Control Room Operator and Outside Operator while working with other assigned personnel in the performance of all shift activities in a professional manner. Activities include the operation, maintenance, and performance monitoring of all equipment; testing and treatment of plant water; creation and maintenance of plant records; extensive use of personal computers and distributed control systems.
• Maintain high professional, personal, and equipment safety with environmental consciousness while adhering to compliance standards and practices.
• Start-up, operate, and shut down mechanical and electrical equipment to meet contract and business plan requirements.
• Perform switching of electrical equipment up to 345 kV.
• Monitor equipment for proper operation and adjust as required. Diagnose equipment problems and identify abnormal conditions.
• Interface and effectively communicate with dispatch.
• Perform other assigned independent, team, or shift activities that include but are not limited to; industrial safety program activities; routine maintenance tasks; housekeeping and general facility preservation; and whatever other activity you are directed to perform.
• Take the lead in assigned maintenance activities in the areas of mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, and warehousing due to specialty training and experience.
• Interface with the Plant Computerized Maintenance Management System (SAP), which requires proficiency in: Work order module, Purchasing module, and Inventory Control module.
• Assist in developing and defining operational policies and procedures as requested.
• Assist in identifying and implementing plant or profit improvement projects.
• Assist in training other plant operations personnel.
• Respond quickly to plant conditions or requirements which may involve extended and/or abnormal work hours.
• Cross-train in the required plant disciplines of Operations and Maintenance, including Electrical; Instrumentation and Controls; and Mechanical.
• Assist in the oversight of contractors who support plant activities. 
• Operate company vehicles including trucks, forklifts, and other mobile equipment.
• Perform plant housekeeping functions.
• Will involve work with OSHA classified hazardous materials.
• Perform routine equipment lubrication.
• Handle, store and dispense hazardous substances according to applicable SDS.

Working Conditions:

• Power Plant Environment - Work both inside and outside in all temperatures and climate conditions in accordance with Heat Stress procedures. Around large rotating equipment; energized electrical equipment; in high noise areas; occasionally in confined spaces; on elevations in excess of 90 feet, or from platforms at heights of 5 feet or greater. Climb stairways, ladders, and work from aerial devices.
• Work irregular or rotating shifts and respond to emergency call-outs.

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.
• Must be able to read and comprehend extensive written procedures for the operation and maintenance of the plant.
• Basic understanding of mathematics.
• Successful candidates must receive a rating of Recommended on the NRG pre-employment assessment test. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience and detailed overall knowledge of plant equipment and its operation (Industrial/Refinery/Chemical/Power Plant)
• 2 years’ experience operating and maintaining Aeroderivative Gas Turbine power plant packages, preferably the GE LM6000 or Pratt and Whitney FT8 Twin Packs.
• Strong electrical aptitude, with in-depth understanding of mathematics, physics, water chemistry and mechanics.
• Familiarity with Root Cause Analysis.
• Familiarity with Red Tag LOTO system.
• Familiarity with SAP and Microsoft Office products.

Additional 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 aerial lifts.
• Skilled in the use of computers.
• Ability to effectively communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to give directions to other employees.
• Ability to read and understand technical information, print 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 Requirements:

• Equipment located in confined spaces may require employees 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.
• 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.
• May need to carry tools, materials, and equipment generally weighing up to 50 pounds or more. Some tools are irregularly shaped and can weigh up to 50 pounds.
• While working on equipment or instruments with pressurized systems, one may be required to lift tools and cylinders that contain high-pressure gases or compressed air and are 4 to 5 feet in height and could weigh up to 75 pounds.
• The compartments where certain equipment or instruments need to be accessed may exceed 150oF. Other instruments and equipment to be serviced are mounted on surfaces where the temperature may exceed 600oF.
• Overhead work may require the employee to carry and move portable ladders.
• Large electrical breakers may need to be manually pulled and pushed to complete work.
• May be required to work long periods at a computer terminal.
• Will be required to work rotating shifts. Employees will be required to work overtime.
• Will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE), which includes but is not limited to: steel-toed EH-rated work boots, hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, fall protection, and other job-specific PPE

The base salary range above represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonus, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition the position may be eligible to participate in the benefits program which include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending accounts.  

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.