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Power Plant Operators

Also called: Auxiliary Operator, Control Operator, Operations and Maintenance Technician (O & M Technician), Unit Operator

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Navy.

What they do:
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
On the job, you would:
  • Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
  • Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
  • Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • mechanical
  • computers and electronics
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Math and Science
  • chemistry

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking
Ideas and Logic
  • use rules to solve problems
  • make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Attention
  • pay attention to something without being distracted
Hand and Finger Use
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Initiative

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Industrial control software
  • Distributed control systems DCS software
  • General Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCS
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel
Electronic mail software
  • Email software

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
associate's degree or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship Eligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$65,280
per year, on average
Check out my state Local Salary Info Find Jobs
Green
This work is part of the green economy.

Explore More

See more details at O*NET OnLine about power plant operators.