Material Handling Operator

EKPC Company Information

Located in the heart of the Bluegrass state, East Kentucky Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, KY which is just a short distance from Lexington. Our cooperative has a vital mission: to safely generate and deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our 16 owner-member cooperatives serving more than 1 million Kentuckians across 87 counties. We’re leaders in environmental stewardship and we’re committed to provide power to improve the lives of people in Kentucky.

As passionate as we are about providing smart energy solutions, we are equally excited about people. We strive to cultivate connected workplaces where great ideas are born and rewarding careers are built.

EKPC offers a wage and benefits package that ranks among the best in the state. There is no waiting period on our medical, dental and vision insurance plans so you are covered on day one, and the dental plan is free for employees. Our generous 401(k) retirement plan allows employees to start contributing to their plan after a month of service, and after 3 months of service, EKPC will automatically contribute 6.5% of base wages AND match employee contributions up to 4.5%. Our competitive vacation and sick leave package starts day one to allow for flexibly and a healthy work-life balance.

For more information on our plentiful benefits package visit our website at https://www.ekpc.coop/work-ekpc

EKPC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Considering Different Levels

All skill levels are being considered and the person chosen for the position will be placed in the level in which they are experienced. Please see below for description of all levels.

Key Roles

Ensures the proper and safe operation and maintenance of coal and ash handling equipment associated with the delivery, stockpiling, and processing of coal and the retrieval, processing and disposal of ash.

Key Responsibilities

Material Handling Operator - All Levels

• Operates all coal handling equipment in a safe, reliable & efficient manner.
• Troubleshoots and repairs hydraulics on equipment.
• Operates various coal handling equipment: dozer, loader, backhoe, roller, grader, cherry picker, trucks, coal conveyor system, tractor, and bush-hog.
• Assists with coal sample gathering.
• Provides assistance to other work groups as requested and performs other duties as assigned.

Material Handling Operator Level 1

• Perform railcar recordkeeping
• Align locomotive on rails
• Spot railcars
• Couple and uncouple railcars
• Open and close rail switches
• Operate car dumper
• Take draft readings of full and empty barges
• Monitor barge unloading from river level
• Hook and unhook barge cables
• Observe safety precautions while working with barges
• Perform stationary unloader equipment pre-operational inspection
• Start and stop stacker feeders 1 -9
• Use automatic coal sampler
• Bag and identify reclaim coal samples
• Perform tanker truck sampling
• Perform fuel oil sediment testing
• Operate crushers
• Start and stop conveyer belts
• Start and stop coal belts
• Monitor conveyer belt coal quantity
• Make minor conveyer belt adjustments
• Operate conveyor belt scales
• Handle wet and frozen coal and use coal flow solution
• Apply anti-freeze to conveyor belts
• Shovel Coal
• Water wash coal yard area
• Monitor silo levels (8) at U1, (5) at U2
• Operate flop gates
• Communicate using site telephone system
• Inspect breaker rooms (8)
• Operate coal yard sump pumps
• Operate portable water pumps
• Operate dust suppression system
• Operate tractor
• Operate tractor with street sweeper attachment
• Operate tractor with bushhog
• Perform mowing of EKPC property
• Tow wagon or perform other light towing
• Follow hand signals
• Perform pre-operational equipment inspections
• Refuel heavy equipment with gasoline or diesel
• Add oil and grease to heavy equipment as required
• Fill out lubrication sheets
• Perform minor maintenance tasks on heavy equipment
• Select proper lifting devices
• Limit access to rigging area
• Retrieve rigging hardware
• Lift loads
• Spot load
• Unrig load
• Use hand signals
• Determine rigging paths
• Inspect rigging equipment'

Material Handling Operator Level 2 and 3

Please visit our website at www.ekpc.coop/work-ekpc for a full job description.

Key Requirements

Education:

High School diploma or equivalent. Additional job-related technical training preferred.

Experience:

Three (3) years experience in operation and maintenance of heavy equipment preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to understand written and oral instructions, interpret instruction manuals and perform repairs on assigned equipment.
• Familiar with and apply basic safety rules and regulations applicable to working in and around heavy equipment.
• Familiar with operation and maintenance of equipment used in the Coal Yard and be familiar with coal operation, sampling techniques, procedures, and terminology at a Coal-Fired Electrical Generating Plant.
• Familiar with proper procedures for handling flammable materials in storage.

Competencies

• Safety Awareness
• Technical/Professional Knowledge & Skills
• Contributing to Team Success
• Work Standards
• Adaptability

Working Conditions

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and live within one and a half (1.5) hours of the Plant.
• Shift work and nonscheduled overtime may be required. This is an on-call position; telephone is required.
• Must pass an aptitude and physical ability test and follow procedures for wearing a respirator and other personal protective equipment.
• Must be medically certified to wear respiratory protection.
• Must be able to appropriately don a respirator which would include no facial hair at the sealing surface.
• Regular lifting up to 100 lbs. and occasional lifting over 100 lbs. Regular climbing and work at heights on ladders and stairs is required, as well as above ground grating and platforms.
• Work conditions include all outside weather conditions, noise, heat in excess of 100 degrees, gas emissions, chemical vapors, dirt, dust, high-pressure lines and high voltage equipment.