Power Plant Operators
Auxiliary Operator, Control Room Operator, Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Tech), Power Plant Operator
What they do:
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
On the job, you would:
- Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
- Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
Knowledge
Engineering and Technology
- mechanical
- product and service development
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
Arts and Humanities
- English language
Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
- manufacture and distribution of products
Skills
Basic Skills
- thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
- 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
- notice when problems happen
- use rules to solve problems
Attention
- pay attention to something without being distracted
- do two or more things at the same time
Hand and Finger Use
- hold or move items with your hands
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Dependability
- Analytical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Integrity
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Cooperation
Technology
You might use software like this on the job:
Electronic mail software
- Email software
- Microsoft Outlook
Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
Industrial control software
- Distributed control system DCS
- Yokogawa FAST/TOOLS
Education
Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
associate's degree
usually needed
associate's degree
usually needed
Job Outlook
Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Explore More
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Gas Plant Operators
- Geothermal Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Stationary Engineers & Boiler Operators
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about power plant operators.