Plant Operator- Qualcomm

The O&M Tech is responsible for the proper operation of the power Facility while on shift. Operates, maintains and repairs equipment to provide client with electrical energy. Strictly adheres to all safety and environmental rules and regulations to protect employees and public safety. The position reports to the Operations Shift Supervisor. GENERAL SUMMARY: Provides 7/24 supervision and operations support for Cogeneration Power Plant providing electrical power and cooling to commercial office buildings, labs and Data Centers. Coordinates maintenance and repairs on all related Central Plant equipment and operating systems. PRINCIPAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: • Working shifts to provide 24 hour a day coverage for operations of the central plant, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs and emergency response. Raise and review evaluations for merit increases. Mentor employee’s development. • Providing “on call” emergency Plant and site support for equipment failures, power outages and loss of city water services. • Develop reports in order to coordinate with the critical business units to schedule shutdowns required to minimize down time. • Must have an in depth understanding of different pieces types of equipment, including Turbine & diesel generators, Central Control System, absorption chillers, centrifugal chillers, UPS systems, boilers, pumps, air compressors, cooling towers, water treatment systems. • Work with vendors to schedule and complete contractual maintenance equipment tasks in a safe and timely manner to maintain equipment reliability. • Develop written basis of design scope of work documentation for new engineering projects. Coordinate with Qualcomm structural, mechanical, electrical, and controls engineers on site or Plant Projects. • Maintain Standard Operating Procedures for Cogeneration operations and equipment. Responsibilities also include: • Operate in the safe and efficient operation of the boiler, steam turbine generator and related auxiliary systems from inside and outside the control room. • Operate proper start-up, operation and shutdown of equipment, systems and the plant in accordance with approved plant procedures. • Upon identification of faulty equipment or system operation, troubleshoot the cause and take proper corrective action to restore the plant to a safe condition. • Respond to system and plant emergencies in accordance with the emergency response plan. • Monitor plant air and water emissions and take steps to maintain within acceptable limits. Notify the O&M Supervisor of situations that may result in violation of established limits and/or regulatory requirements. • Monitor the activities of maintenance personnel and contractors working in the plant to ensure activities are conducted in a safe and proper manner • Verify and authorize isolation and tagout/lockout of plant equipment as required to support plant maintenance, testing and other operational activities. • Periodically audit the tagout/lockout system to ensure all required tags and locks remain in place and program is administered properly. • Prepare shift reports as directed by the O&M Supervisor. • Observe and correct situations that are likely to develop into future operational problems or safety hazards. • Report and respond to chemical spills and leaks in accordance with plant Emergency Response Plan. • Operate of equipment disconnects, circuit breakers and switches. • Monitor and operate proper chemistry control of boiler water, boiler feedwater, cooling water, condensate, condensate makeup and wastewater. • Periodically monitor plant, boiler and turbine heat rates to verify most economic and efficient operation of the plant. Alter plant equipment alignments to optimize efficiency at specified load. • Obtain thorough turnover from Shift Supervisor being relieved, including special orders and unusual operating conditions. Review plant status and operating logs prior to taking over the shift. • Give thorough turnover to the relieving Shift Supervisor for special orders and unusual operating conditions. • Conduct tests on critical safety systems including lube oil pumps, turbine valves, turbine system trips, boiler trips and permissives. • Conduct tests on plant fire and chemical safety equipment. • Identify work requests for defective plant equipment. • Maintain the plant in a clean, orderly condition. • Attend and conduct safety meetings and periodic training. • Assist in training subordinate personnel. • Safely operate vehicles on-site as required. • Perform other duties as assigned by the O&M Supervisor. JOB REQUIREMENTS: Physical Demands: • Work is performed while standing, sitting or walking • Requires the ability to communicate effectively using speech, vision and hearing. • Requires the use of hands for simple grasping and fine manipulations. • Requires bending, squatting, crawling, climbing, and reaching. • Requires the ability to lift, carry, push or pull medium weights up to 50 pounds. • Requires activities involving and being around moving machinery, exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity, and exposure to dust, fumes and gasses. • Physical Requirements - Must be able to climb at least fifty (50) feet of ladder to access scaffolding, platforms and other operational areas - Must be able to detect abnormal plant conditions (i.e., sight, hearing, smell, or touch) - Ability to remain alert during extended working hours - Ability to perceive depth - Ability to be fitted with full-faced respirator or ability to use a self contained breathing apparatus - Ability to work from sky climbers and scaffolding - Ability to work in confined spaces - Ability to learn new skills and knowledge - Ability to drive a company vehicle. Working Conditions: • Rotating shift work • Required to work in all areas of the power plant, operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and includes exposure to heat, cold, noise, dust and humidity • Available to work overtime when needed including weekend work and holidaysMinimum Educational Requirements • Twelve (12) years formal education (High School Graduate). • Two (2) years advanced education in an Engineering discipline or equivalent combination of training and experience. Previous Training/Experience Requirements • Experience in boiler start-up, operation and shutdown from inside and outside the control room, using local controls and the Distributive Control System (DCS) • Experience in steam turbine generator start-up, operation and shutdown from inside and outside the control room, using local controls and the Distributive Control System (DCS) • Experience in Balance of Plant systems start-up, operation and shutdown from inside and outside the control room, using local controls and the Distributive Control System (DCS) • Thorough knowledge of equipment isolation and tagging procedures • Experience responding to plant abnormal situations, alarms and emergencies • Thorough knowledge of the location, purpose and proper use of the plant safety equipment • Experience aligning, switching, isolating and paralleling electrical equipment and systems • Experience in performing manual calculations for plant gross and net heat rates • Experience in performing manual calculations for boiler cycle and turbine cycle heat rates • Experience in performing manual calculations for chemistry control of boilers, boiler water, condensate, condensate make-up and circulating water • Specialized training and/or experience in the monitoring and diagnosis of rotating equipment problems • Specialized training and/or experience in Environmental Protection, including associated plant systems, equipment, limits and regulatory reporting requirements • Specialized training and/or experience in supervision of emergency response to fire, flooding, bomb threat, chemical spill, oil spill and fire • Specialized training and/or experience in supervision of technical personnel, including cultural relations, race relations, team building, conflict management and prevention of workplace discrimination • Specialized training and/or experience in the evaluation of employee job performance, progression and compensation. Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities • Five to ten years experience or knowledge of cooling or power plant system operations, repair and troubleshooting of the equipment listed below: - Centrifugal chillers - Absorption chillers - Turbine generators - Diesel generators - Centrifugal pumps - HVAC systems - Cooling towers - Compressed air - UPS Systems - Electrical switchgear (12kv or 4160v - Electrical distribution (480v, 277v, 208v, 120v - Ability to read flow diagrams, wiring diagrams and schematics - Knowledge of PLC type automation systems and programming - Knowledge of arithmetic functions; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus - Ability to follow oral and written instructions - Ability to give oral and written instructions - Ability to use common computer programs for word processing, spread sheet and database upkeep - Ability to read, write and speak fluently in English - Knowledge of reading and interpreting Piping and Instrument Diagrams (P&IDs), electrical one-lines, schematics and logic diagrams - Knowledge of and ability to apply advanced principles of physics, chemistry, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid flow and combustion - Knowledge of advanced instrumentation and control concepts - In-depth knowledge of electrical theory as applied to power generation facilities - Knowledge of plant hazards and approaches to protecting both personnel and equipment - Knowledge of corporate and plant policies and regulations - Knowledge of plant environmental regulations and compliance requirements - Knowledge of plant operations and maintenance procedures - In-depth knowledge of structural configuration and content of the plant’s DCS - Knowledge of fire and accident prevention techniques and methods