Plant Operator Apprentice Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

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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.

Job Summary:

Provide electrical maintenance support to maintain equipment in an electrical generating power plant; may perform Head Electrician duties during absence of a Head Electrician (at THW & GBY).

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Recognizes safety hazards and follows safety guidelines for personal protection, protection of fellow workers and the protection of the public.
• Knowledgeable of environmental rules and regulations, and effectively apply them to all work situations.

• Reads and interprets instruction manuals, blueprints and control system drawings; applies knowledge to daily tasks.
• Completes written and electronic records (i.e. work orders, calibration sheets, time cards, material requests) required to document the work in progress and as it is completed.
• Repair, test, troubleshoot, inspect; and install, remove and maintain power plant equipment such as generators, transformers, breakers, switchgear, motors and auxiliary electrical equipment such as, freeze protection, overhead cranes, cabling and power feeds.
• Diagnoses and corrects electrical equipment troubles and repairs or recommends major repairs.
• Works with other crafts or contractors.
• Works with Apprentice Electricians and teaches proper, safe use of tools and maintenance procedures.

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, and/or in confined places, on elevations in excess of 250 feet, or from platforms at heights of 5 feet or greater. Climb stairways, ladders, and work from aerial devices.

• Ability to work in mentally stressful environments: must be able to react to crises where immediate action is required to correct or curtail potentially damaging or hazardous situations.
• Must be prepared to work irregular or rotating shifts and respond to emergency callout 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
• Employee must arrange own transportation to work location and may be reassigned to another location at the Company's discretion.

 Minimum Requirements:

• High School diploma or GED

• Five years (including apprenticeship) or more of industrial electrical maintenance experience in the repair, inspection, testing, installation and/or maintenance of related power plant equipment including inspection and preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and diagnostics.
• Valid Drivers' License required.

 
Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
 

• Knowledge of electricity, voltage and current relationships.
• Knowledge of electrical maintenance requirements used to establish and maintain scheduled electrical maintenance program for the plant's equipment.
• Ability to discern assorted colors.
• Knowledgeable of power plant electrical systems and able to do switching to clear circuits for equipment maintenance safely and correctly.
• Ability to produce high quality work with a minimum of supervision or direction.
• Ability to follow, interpret and act on written and verbal job instructions, and reports, technical manuals and data.
• Knowledge of basic mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to use basic mathematics including algebra & geometry to take measurements and perform computations required for installation and calibration of equipment.
• Ability to maintain job site in a safe manner.
• Ability to operate company vehicles and heavy equipment such as overhead and mobile cranes, forklifts, aerial lift devices, and maintains operating licenses and certifications.
• Ability to use hand and power tools to repair plant equipment.
• Ability to Tag Out/Lock Out equipment per NRG's Tag Out/Lock Out procedure.
• Ability to inspect, repair, and maintain electrical and/or electromechanical operating and control systems, equipment and fixtures, including instrumentation and heating and cooling systems.
• Ability to inspect, repair, maintain, wiring and lighting systems, electric meters, electrical control equipment, outlets and panels.
• Ability to set up and operate rigging apparatus for installing or removing equipment.
• Ability to repair electrical and electronic instruments.
• Ability to clean, test and install batteries.
• Ability to perform electrical tests on Cathodic Protection, install cables and anodes.
• Ability to perform routine and emergency repairs of plant equipment.
• Ability to perform preventive and corrective maintenance on power plant electrical equipment and wiring.
• Ability to apply principles of steam and electric plant operations.
• Ability to operate test equipment such as voltmeters, meggers, amp meters, and high potential test equipment.
• Ability to perform skilled electromechanical repair work on plant equipment and instruments.
• Ability to maintain cranes in safe working order. Ex: Motor Overhaul, Electrical Controls, and Power Cords.
• Ability to provide support to other crafts and vendors including installations of temporary lighting, removal of piping and cables.
• Ability to perform routine and emergency repairs of plant equipment.
• Ability to communicate status of jobs, or work issues to management and craft personnel.
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment and support other crafts and vendors.
• Ability to use a personal computer and associated software.

Physical Requirements:  

• Daily work expectation requires ability to perform tasks by walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, crouching, squatting, twisting, pushing, pulling, shoveling, climbing, and working with hand tools (up to 25 pounds) in position above and below head, and extended from body to complete repairs.
• Lift, carry, position and use tools and/or equipment (weighing up to 50 lbs.) in awkward positions, swing various weights of sledge hammers, stoop and bend to reach valves, pull on chain-falls or come-a-longs.
• Ability to twist the body and neck while driving company vehicles or operating company equipment.
• Performance of duties may cause frequent jarring of the body.
• Work with and around hazardous and non-hazardous materials (reference the waste management guidance manual).
• Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required i.e....steel-toed boots, respirators, goggles, safety glasses etc.
• Have ability to discern and respond to verbal and auditory signals.
• Ability to discern assorted colors

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.

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