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Internship Power Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

City of Ames

Power Plant Engineering Co-op

Ames, IA

$24.72/hr

Power Plant Co-ops perform engineering services relating to inspection, improvement, efficient ... Full-time student status is maintained throughout the coop/internship. Co-op's working over 40 ...

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How much do internship power plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for internship power plant in the United States is $19.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an internship at a power plant involve?

An internship at a power plant typically involves hands-on experience and learning about the daily operations, maintenance, and safety protocols of the facility. Interns may assist engineers and technicians with monitoring equipment, analyzing system performance, and supporting routine inspections. The role provides valuable insight into how electricity is generated and distributed, as well as exposure to various types of power generation technologies such as thermal, hydro, or renewable energy. Interns also gain practical skills, industry knowledge, and networking opportunities that can be beneficial for future careers in the energy sector.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an intern at a power plant?

To thrive as a Power Plant Intern, you generally need a background in engineering or a related technical field, strong analytical abilities, and a basic understanding of energy systems. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as SCADA systems, Microsoft Office, and safety compliance protocols is often required. Effective communication, eagerness to learn, and teamwork skills help interns integrate with experienced staff and adapt quickly. These competencies are essential for ensuring safety, supporting operational efficiency, and maximizing learning during the internship.

What is the difference between Internship Power Plant vs Power Plant Technician?

AspectInternship Power PlantPower Plant Technician
Required CredentialsTypically students or recent graduates, no formal certification requiredTechnical diploma or certification in power plant operations or maintenance
Work EnvironmentTraining environment, supervised, often in a classroom or on-siteOperational environment, hands-on work in power plant facilities
Employer & Industry UsageInternships offered by power companies for training purposesFull-time or part-time employment in power plants, industry standard role
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

In summary, an Internship Power Plant is a training position aimed at students gaining industry experience, while a Power Plant Technician is a full-time role requiring technical certifications and hands-on operational work. Internships serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a technician in the power industry.

How hard is it to get a job at a power plant?

Securing an internship at a power plant typically requires relevant education in engineering or energy technology, along with safety training and sometimes prior related experience. Competition can be moderate, and having certifications such as OSHA safety training or technical skills in plant operations can improve chances. Entry-level positions often prioritize safety awareness and technical aptitude.

What cities are hiring for Internship Power Plant jobs?

Cities with the most Internship Power Plant job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Power Plant jobs?

The most popular types of Power Plant jobs are:

What states have the most Internship Power Plant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Internship Power Plant jobs include:

Internship Power Plant jobs near you

Chemical Power Plant Engineer

Orlando Utilities Commission

Orlando, FL • On-site

$105K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Orlando Utilities Commission rating

9.9

Company rating: 9.9 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

OUC - The Reliable One is presently seeking a Combined Cycle Power Generation Engineer to join the Engineering & Operations team.
We are looking for a technically strong, results-driven professional to provide engineering and project management support for Power Plant Operations and Maintenance (O&M) ensuring safe, efficient, reliable generation while leading plant modification and improvement projects.
In this role, you will be responsible for developing technical specifications and project scopes; managing plant modification and capital improvement projects from concept through completion; reviewing O&M data, test results, and equipment trends to ensure optimal performance; supervising OUC craft labor and contractors; supporting Purchasing with RFPs, bid evaluations, and vendor negotiations; and preparing financial justifications and budget proposals for management and the Capital Review Committee. You will also troubleshoot plant systems, oversee safety compliance including LOTO and permit requirements, review drawings and process documentation, and ensure adherence to industry standards and NERC/CIP requirements. We are looking for a hands-on engineer with strong power generation knowledge and demonstrated project leadership experience.
The ideal candidate will have:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum of four (4) years of engineering experience specifically supporting combined cycle gas turbine power plants (CCGT), including operations, maintenance, performance analysis, and project execution on heat recovery steam generators (HRSG), gas turbines, and steam turbines.
  • Valid driver's license
  • Degree in Chemical Engineering is preferred
  • Registered Professional Engineer (preferred)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (preferred)
  • Waste water and process water experience (preferred);
  • Experience designing or optimizing chemical injection systems used in water treatment processes at power plants (preferred);

Salary Range: $105,747.33 - $158,619.79 annually - commensurate with experience
The salary range listed reflects the full pay grade (minimum to maximum) for this role. In alignment with OUC's compensation practices, starting salaries typically fall within the first half of the range (minimum to midpoint). Any exceptions to this practice require additional review and approval.
Location: Stanton Energy Center
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. This organization does not offer or sponsor employment visas for internship or full-time positions.
Please see below a complete job description for this position.
Job Purpose:
Provide technical support for Power Plant Operations and Maintenance (O&M). Review O&M data to ensure proper, safe, efficient and reliable generation. Manage projects including plant modifications and improvements while directing OUC labor and contractors.
Primary Functions:
  • Develop and write technical specifications and scope for plant projects, maintain project budgets, assist Purchasing with Request for Proposals (RFP's) and provide engineering evaluation for bid documents.
  • Provide technical support for O&M; review plant data to ensure accurate, safe and efficient generation;
  • Supervise plant modifications, improvements, and OUC craft labor and contractors during all project phases;
  • Write and develop technical specifications for plant projects;
  • Assist Purchasing with RFPs, bid documents, vendor evaluations and negotiations.
  • Prepare justification of plant projects based on criteria such as safety, environmental, changes in technology, economic analysis, and efficiency improvements;
  • Review and implement plans, drawings, specifications, safety procedures and Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO) requirements, schedules, update equipment manuals, review and maintain inventory levels , billing and invoices and contractual performance and manage contracts regarding technical and commercial aspect;
  • Inspect fluid analysis test results, Non-Destructive Examination tests, vibrations tests, emission, boiler and scrubber chemistry, etc. to ensure best practices are current on equipment conditions;
  • Troubleshoot plant processes to identify root cause and repair process ;
  • Generate budget proposals and justifications for management and the Capital Review Committee when necessary;
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Technical Requirements:
  • Working knowledge of all, but not limited to the following:
  • The safe and efficient operation and maintenance of various power generation systems including, but not limited to:
  • Mechanical systems (i.e. boilers, steam & gas turbine-generators, large rotating equipment, pumps, fans, wet/dry ash handling systems, sludge conditioning systems, material handling systems, cooling towers, chimneys);
  • Electrical systems (i.e. high voltage electrical systems, programmable logic controls, high voltage switchgear, 6.9kv motors, control & electronic circuits, excitation systems, speed controls, relay & switch logic, cathodic protection);
  • Environmental systems (i.e. dry sorbent injection [DSI], selective catalytic reduction [SCR], precipitators, scrubbers, brine plants, mercury mitigation);
  • Gas systems (i.e. natural gas, landfill gas, CO2, hydrogen, nitrogen);
  • Chemical systems (i.e. acid, caustics, ammonia, chlorine, water treatment, potable, fire protection);
  • Electro-mechanical systems;
  • Electro-hydraulic systems;
  • Industry Technical Standards (American Society of Mechanical Engineers, National Association of Corrosion Engineers, National Electric Manufacturers Association, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE));
  • Safely and effectively use inspection/testing equipment (i.e. accelerometers, strains gauges, chemical probes, thickness/ alloy analyzers, flow meters, borescopes, etc.);
  • Safety Permits (i.e. LOTO, Confined Space, Hot Work);
  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance Manuals; Safety notifications and bulletins;
  • Contracts and agreements with suppliers;
  • Prints/drawings: Structural, mechanical, electrical, process flow, piping & instrumentation diagrams, control logic;
  • Operating and maintenance logs, trends, outage equipment reports and test reports;
  • Process-control systems (i.e. DCS, Allen Bradley, Modicon, etc.);
  • IT Security practices;
  • North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) policy understanding and application;
  • Familiarity with all, but not limited to the following:
  • Memorandums for justifying projects and purchases for management and Commission;
  • Capital and O&M project budgets, cash flows, spreadsheets, graphs, tables, process billing/invoicing;
  • Maintenance and inspection reports, recommendations for preventative maintenance, inventory adjustment forms, equipment drawings;
  • Work Orders, confined space permits, hot work permits, contractor safety orientation;
  • Safety Equipment (i.e. air monitors chemical detection monitors, personal protective, emergency equipment devices);
  • Process Analysis Instrumentation (i.e. flow meters, temperature guns, acoustic monitor, alloy identification);
  • Software Applications (i.e. JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, CMMS, AutoCAD, Solidworks (3-Dimensional Modeling), Electronic Work Order Management Program, Eclipse (Lock-Out-Tag-Out Software), Meridian, Docusphere, Programmable Logic Controllers, data loggers, Primavera, Microsoft Project);
  • Related industry, organizational and departmental legal guidelines, recommendations, best practices, ordinances and laws;
  • Apply algebra, calculus, geometry, statistics and trigonometry with engineering principles;
  • Perform financial and economic analysis/justification (i.e. NPV, ROI, etc.);
  • Ability to work stand-by and call-out when necessary;
  • Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions and decimals, and compute rates, ratios, and percentages;
  • Ability to use Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and standard office equipment (telephone, computer, copier, etc.).

Education/ Certification/ Years of Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university;
  • Minimum of four (4) years of engineering experience to include power plant operations, industrial plant processes, and project management;
  • Valid driver's license;
  • Registered Professional Engineer (preferred);
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (preferred);
  • Waste water and process water experience (preferred);
  • Experience designing or optimizing chemical injection systems used in water treatment processes at power plants (preferred);
  • Special training to be completed upon hire:
  • Plant/environment equipment operations and maintenance
  • Distributed Controls (DCS) and programmable logic controls (PLC, ladder logic)
  • Environmental, plant and/or project specific
  • Continual training in industrial classes, seminars, and credits

Working Conditions:
This job involves disagreeable working conditions where elements are occasionally present to the extent of being objectionable; regular exposure to work situations that could result in incapacitating accidents of, on occasion, loss of life. This job involves working very frequently near moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, extreme heat (non-weather) and vibration. This job involves occasionally working in wet, humid conditions (non-weather), high precarious places or in confined areas. This job may involve occasionally working with toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of electric shock. This job may involve occasionally working in outdoor conditions.
Physical Requirements:
This job requires constant reading. This job may require very frequent standing, walking, sitting, typing and driving of a company vehicle. This job may require frequent lifting up to twenty (20) lbs., bending/ stooping, reaching over head and writing. This job may require occasional lifting over forty (40) lbs., pushing/ pulling/ digging, and kneeling/ crawling.
OUC-The Reliable One is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed through responsible management policies to recruit, hire, promote, train, transfer, compensate, and administer all other personnel actions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information and any other factor prohibited under applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws, rules, and regulations.
EOE M/F/Vets/Disabled

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