What does a power plant operator do?
A power plant operator is primarily in charge of controlling and maintaining machinery that generates and distributes electricity. Their responsibilities typically include monitoring charts and sensors, gathering and analyzing data, detecting errors and inconsistencies, maintaining daily logs and records of all progress, and performing adjustments as needed. They may also perform regular maintenance checks, executing corrective measures promptly. Furthermore, as a power plant operator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with fellow operators and power plant staff for an efficient and safe workflow.
Power plant operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real power plant operator resumes:
- Manage and perform preventive maintenance, electrical repairs, millwright work, and MSHA safety functions.
- Process operator in the powerhouse.
- Develop and assist regional groups with desk operating procedures for NERC compliance standards.
- Control and maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors and condensers.
- Perform various aspects of preventive maintenance and troubleshooting on HVAC systems; 300 to 1500 tons.
- Repair and perform complete rebuilds on various valves, actuators, pumps, compressors, large fans, gearboxes etc.
- Respond to service calls- plumbing, electrical failures throughout hospital
- Service and repair plumbing equipment associate with domestic water pumping systems.
- Experience operating heavy equipment including front-end loaders, and skid-steer loaders.
- Perform work in radiological control areas using proper protective equipment and clothing.
- Identify and troubleshoot equipment and process problems to maintain maximum production within quality specification.
- Maintain proficiency in radiological controls and radioactive material handling with continuous training exams given monthly.
- Demonstrate good mechanical aptitude in order to understand and troubleshoot the various processes and equipment describe above.
- Identify parameters indicative of an emergency condition and initiate designated actions, execute terminal shutdown and start-up procedures upon approval.
- Weigh each lug to seventy pounds each and stack them on a pallet.
Power plant operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Power Plant Operators are proficient in Plant Equipment, Steam Boilers, and Auxiliary Equipment. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration skills, Problem-solving skills, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Power Plant Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Plant Equipment, 9%
Observed operation of plant equipment and processes for normal operation and identified developing problems.
- Steam Boilers, 8%
Monitored and operated two 1200 PSI steam boilers, a 45 MW turbine generator, and associated equipment.
- Auxiliary Equipment, 7%
Managed and completed necessary maintenance on propulsion machinery, turbo generators, auxiliary equipment, and outside machinery.
- Plant Operations, 5%
Assisted in ongoing plant operations to ensure reactor power demands and maintenance needs were expeditiously met without hindering overall power requirements.
- Cooling Towers, 5%
Maintained water chemistry on all cooling towers on Auburn site by performing testing, calibration and repair of chemical systems.
- Condensers, 5%
Controlled and maintained auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors and condensers.
Most power plant operators use their skills in "plant equipment," "steam boilers," and "auxiliary equipment" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential power plant operator responsibilities here:
Concentration skills. The most essential soft skill for a power plant operator to carry out their responsibilities is concentration skills. This skill is important for the role because "power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must be careful, attentive, and persistent." Additionally, a power plant operator resume shows how their duties depend on concentration skills: "use test results to treat water; control chemical concentrations, remove impurities and stabilize fluctuating water conditions in the boiler. "
Problem-solving skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling power plant operator duties is problem-solving skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must find and quickly solve problems that arise with equipment or controls." According to a power plant operator resume, here's how power plant operators can utilize problem-solving skills in their job responsibilities: "replaced filters as needed and ran amine samples to adjust strength of solution. "
Dexterity. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of power plant operators is dexterity. This skill is critical to many everyday power plant operator duties, as "power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must use precise and repeated motions when working in a control room." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "skilled in climbing ladders, using fork lifts and cutting torches. "
Mechanical skills. A big part of what power plant operators do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to power plant operator responsibilities because "power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must know how to work with machines and use tools." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical power plant operator tasks: "skilled in troubleshooting mechanical and electrical equipment. "
Detail oriented. Another crucial skill for a power plant operator to carry out their responsibilities is "detail oriented." A big part of what power plant operators relies on this skill, since "power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers must monitor complex controls and intricate machinery to ensure that everything is operating properly." How this skill relates to power plant operator duties can be seen in an example from a power plant operator resume snippet: "created psm modules as per client requirements with detailed p&id; field review process. "
The three companies that hire the most power plant operators are:
- Medxcel24 power plant operators jobs
- BJC HealthCare6 power plant operators jobs
- Trinity Health3 power plant operators jobs
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Compare different power plant operators
Power plant operator vs. Stationary engineer
Stationary Engineers are employees who are trained to operate machines and equipment. They mainly operate mechanical equipment, boilers, steam engines, and other stationary engines. They are also trained to conduct maintenance checks and basic repairs on such equipment. Stationary Engineers should be able to read gauges on the machines and assess the fuel levels. They are expected to monitor the machines and equipment and to track the operations. They are also expected to record and document the performance of the equipment. Sationary Engineers should know how to test the quality of the machines' outputs. This would help them manage the equipment.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, power plant operator responsibilities require skills like "water heaters," "preventative maintenance," "equipment operation," and "pipe joints." Meanwhile a typical stationary engineer has skills in areas such as "preventive maintenance," "plumbing," "patients," and "water treatment." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Stationary engineers tend to make the most money working in the health care industry, where they earn an average salary of $77,154. In contrast, power plant operators make the biggest average salary, $59,574, in the utilities industry.The education levels that stationary engineers earn slightly differ from power plant operators. In particular, stationary engineers are 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a power plant operator. Additionally, they're 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Power plant operator vs. High pressure firer
Each career also uses different skills, according to real power plant operator resumes. While power plant operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "plant equipment," "steam boilers," "auxiliary equipment," and "plant operations," high pressure firers use skills like "direct supervision," "computer system," "oilers," and "fire systems."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. High pressure firers tend to reach higher levels of education than power plant operators. In fact, they're 6.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Power plant operator vs. Coal gasification technician
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from power plant operator resumes include skills like "steam boilers," "auxiliary equipment," "plant operations," and "cooling towers," whereas a coal gasification technician is more likely to list skills in "co2," "edge technology," "lo," and "environmental regulations. "
Coal gasification technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to power plant operators. Specifically, they're 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Power plant operator vs. Refinery technician
Types of power plant operator
Updated January 8, 2025
