Entry Level Aep Power Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Power Plant Coal Yard Operator

Job Description

This entry-level position is responsible for the safe operation of industrial machinery and heavy equipment in support of a commercial multi‑unit power generation facility that operates on a 24/7 rotating shift. The role focuses on operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting systems associated with combined cycle and coal-fired power plants, responding to alarms, executing plant procedures, and performing planned and corrective maintenance to ensure safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient plant operations.

Responsibilities

• Operate controls and equipment to regulate Heat Recovery Steam Generators, Combustion Turbines, Boilers, and Steam Turbines to maintain safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient combustion conditions.
• Perform emergency operations to maintain electric service and safeguard plant equipment during abnormal or upset conditions.
• Carry out corrective and preventive maintenance on electrical and mechanical equipment, plant structures, and buildings to support power station operations.
• Conduct regular inspections and tests of facilities to determine the overall condition of the power plant and identify potential issues.
• Report upset conditions, alarms, or other anomalies in plant status to Operations and Maintenance Department staff as appropriate.
• Perform daily, weekly, and monthly testing as required to maintain compliance with governing agencies and regulatory standards.
• Make accurate and timely entries in the Operating Log to document plant status, activities, and events.
• Operate mobile heavy equipment such as wheeled dozers, haul trucks, and water wagons in a safe and controlled manner.
• Operate stationary heavy equipment such as conveyors, stacker/reclaimers, and railcar dumpers to support coal yard and plant operations.
• Respond to alarms by taking appropriate corrective actions and following established plant procedures.
• Perform planned and corrective maintenance, including semi‑skilled mechanical work on plant and coal yard equipment.
• Use and follow lockout tag-out procedures to ensure the safe isolation of equipment during maintenance and repair activities.
• Carry and operate a fire extinguisher and take appropriate actions to escape emergency situations when required.
• Wear and properly use all required personal protective equipment while performing job duties.
• Lift, push, and pull heavy objects as needed to support maintenance and operational tasks.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support overall plant and coal yard operations.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Effective knowledge of industrial machinery operations, specifically heavy equipment used in power plant and coal yard environments.
• Ability to operate heavy mobile equipment such as dozers, excavators, haul trucks, and water wagons.
• Ability to operate stationary equipment including conveyor systems, stacker/reclaimers, and railcar dumpers.
• Understanding of power plant operations, including combined cycle and coal-fired systems.
• Knowledge of the principles of combustion and their application in power generation equipment.
• Knowledge of troubleshooting and repair procedures for industrial and power plant equipment.
• Knowledge of safety equipment and procedures involved in handling potentially hazardous chemicals.
• Familiarity with lockout tag-out procedures and safe isolation of equipment.
• Awareness of various state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and industry practices related to power generation and environmental compliance.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills with strong reliability and commitment to the team.
• High level of motivation with a willingness to work swing shifts, extended hours when necessary, and be available for emergency call-outs.
• Ability to stand and walk on cement floors, uneven ground, slippery surfaces, and open grating at heights from ground level up to approximately 390 feet.
• Ability to climb extension ladders, restricted overhead clearance ladders, scaffolding, stairs, and other elevated equipment.
• Ability to carry and operate a fire extinguisher and run to escape emergency situations.
• Ability to wear all required PPE including hard hat, FR clothing, steel toe shoes, safety glasses, safety goggles, respirators, hearing protection, and fall protection.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds from floor level and push or pull heavy objects while standing, crouching, or in a bent posture.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience as a power plant operator or heavy equipment operator in an industrial setting.
• Experience operating dozers, excavators, and conveyor systems in a coal yard or similar environment.
• Familiarity with plant equipment used in combined cycle and coal-fired power generation.
• Understanding of effective supervision principles and techniques to support team coordination and safety.
• Comfort working in a rotating shift environment that supports 24/7 power plant operations.
• Strong attention to detail in recordkeeping, including maintaining operating logs and inspection records.

Why Work Here?

This facility emphasizes environmental responsibility and compliance, operating with extensive pollution control equipment and meeting rigorous government standards. The site also serves as an informal wildlife sanctuary, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainability and stewardship of the surrounding environment. Team members work in a collaborative, safety-focused culture that values reliability, mutual support, and continuous operations, offering opportunities to develop skills in a complex, high‑performance industrial setting.

Work Environment

The role is based at a coal-fired power generation facility with multiple units operating on a 24/7 rotating shift schedule. The plant is equipped with extensive pollution control technologies and is located within a larger industrial park setting. Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in an industrial environment that includes cement floors, uneven ground, slippery surfaces, open grating, and elevated areas up to approximately 390 feet. The position requires frequent climbing of ladders, scaffolding, and stairs, as well as working around heavy mobile equipment such as dozers, haul trucks, and water wagons, and stationary systems including conveyors, stacker/reclaimers, and railcar dumpers. Employees must wear appropriate personal protective equipment at all times, including hard hat, flame-resistant clothing, steel toe shoes, safety glasses or goggles, respirators, hearing protection, and fall protection, in accordance with site safety policies.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chouteau, OK.

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $20.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Chouteau,OK.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.