Utility Plant Operator Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Location: Stockton, CA

This position is responsible for overseeing, managing, and directing the day-to-day operation and maintenance activities of a large plant facility. This position will be responsible for performing difficult and complex services requiring a high level of independent judgment, initiative, and discretion. Work is mainly self-directed, with work results reviewed through the achievement of set goals and adherence to policies and procedures.

The successful candidate will be eligible for a $10,000 signing bonus.

• Directly, and through delegation, coordinates all daily activities required to assure optimum plant performance, including safety, environmental compliance, efficiency and reliability in accordance with established contracts, agreements, policies and applicable safety, environmental and other regulatory laws and procedures
• Makes and/or approves major operating and maintenance decisions, as required, to ensure that the plant is operated within the terms and conditions of all operations and maintenance (O&M), power purchase, services supply or maintenance contracts and agreements. 
• Keeps operating errors to a minimum by way of established investigation, communication, and corrective action programs
• Completes equipment repairs and overhauls on schedule by utilizing established planning methods and providing adequate manpower and supervision 
• Maintains plant capacity rates by establishing an equipment performance program and providing adequate engineering and support personnel to conduct the program 
• Ensures plant compliance with all environmental regulations
• Holds direct responsibility for managing cost by effective approval of expenditures, overtime and effective budget monitoring, variance reporting and work scheduling
• Coordinates all activities under the applicable O&M services contracts, supply agreements, including communication with owner representatives and regulatory agency representatives 
• Holds responsibility for ensuring the administration of all safety, occupational health, and fire protection programs 
• Evaluates staffing levels and skill mix and makes appropriate adjustments within budgetary guidelines
• Assures maintenance of the hiring and promotion system in accordance with established laws and company policy 
• Coordinates and maintains all plant training and communication programs, including new employee orientation 
• Holds responsibility for ensuring compliance with federal, state, regional and local governing body and regulatory agency rules and regulations as they pertain to power plant operation 
• Performs all other duties as assigned

• High School Diploma or equivalent and knowledge and capabilities typically acquired through at least 10 years supervisory or managerial experience in a power plant, or
• Associate degree or industry-recognized certificate (i.e., the completion of a core group of course designated by the institution) in a related discipline is preferred and knowledge and capabilities typically acquired through at least 8 years supervisory or managerial experience in a power plant, or 4 years of military experience at an officer level, or
• Bachelor's degree in a related discipline with a minimum of 6 year supervisory or managerial experience in a power plant
• Solid fuels power generation work experience is a must

Preferred:

• Demonstrated understanding of power plant O&M, plant engineering, contracts, and general plant business functions
• Strong Safety and Environmental management skills
• Understanding of accounting, contract administration, human resources, procurement, and other plant administration functions
• Familiarity with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction over power plant operations
• Ability to plan, coordinate and direct varied and complex programs and tasks involved in the operation of the plant
• Ability to motivate employees to perform at a high level of efficiency and quality
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to make sound, cost-effective judgments on day-to-day and long-term operational issues
• Ability to efficiently balance competing priorities and tasks, remain organized and meet deadlines in a high-pressured environment
• Possess excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to analyze and communicate to senior management
• Working knowledge of MS applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook in a Windows environment.  Extensive experience with computer-based PM programs and Internet
• Ability to perceive and analyze problems, develop alternatives, and make or recommend sound decisions
• Ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels

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 occasionally required to: 

• Stand or walk and stoop or kneel 
• Frequently, the employee is required to sit 
• It is crucial to the outcome of job tasks that the employee is able to talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms extensively
• The employee in this classification will be required to frequently lift objects of up to 10 pounds in weight Occasionally the employee will have to lift or move objects of up to 25 pounds in weight
• Vision requirements for this position include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works both in a business office setting and at a plant site. In the course of working at the plant site, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, including wet and/or humid conditions, and may work near moving mechanical parts and/or machinery. The employee is occasionally exposed fumes or airborne particles and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate in the office, but may become loud at the plant site.

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.