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Job Summary
The Control Room Operator is responsible for the safe, reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of Odessa Ector Power Plant. The role monitors and controls plant systems from the control room and in the field; performs startups, shutdowns, and load changes; responds to abnormal and emergency conditions; and supports water treatment, plant chemistry, maintenance, and performance activities.
This position reports to the Operations Manager and normally works under the day-to-day direction of the Control Room Coordinator. The successful candidate must complete and maintain qualification as a Water Plant Operator, Auxiliary Plant Operator, and Control Room Operator in accordance with the plant qualification program
Job Description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Operate the gas turbines, steam turbine, generators, water-treatment systems, and associated balance-of-plant equipment in accordance with approved procedures, operating limits, and dispatch requirements.
- Monitor plant conditions through the distributed control system (DCS), alarms, trends, field indications, and operator rounds; identify abnormal conditions and take timely, appropriate action.
- Perform plant startups, shutdowns, load changes, equipment transfers, and other evolutions safely and efficiently under the direction of the Control Room Coordinator.
- Respond promptly to plant upsets, equipment failures, trips, alarms, and emergencies; stabilize plant conditions and communicate status, risks, and resource needs.
- Maintain awareness of market and dispatch conditions, plant capability, equipment limitations, and maintenance status; coordinate operating decisions with the Control Room Coordinator.
- Conduct field rounds and complete accurate equipment logs. Identify adverse trends, deficiencies, and emerging equipment problems, and initiate or support corrective action.
- Collect water and process samples, perform required testing, maintain proper plant chemistry control, and communicate results requiring review or action.
- Complete clear, accurate, and timely operating records, including logbook entries, electronic logs, work permits, event documentation, and shift-turnover information.
- Coordinate operations and maintenance activities, including equipment releases, clearances, return-to-service testing, and verification of plant configuration.
- Perform preventive maintenance and minor operator maintenance tasks within assigned qualifications and plant procedures.
- Follow all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including lockout/tagout, work-control, and applicable hazardous-work permitting processes.
- Review operating procedures and training materials, identify needed improvements, and support procedure revisions and continuous-improvement activities.
- Maintain required qualifications and complete assigned training. Develop the knowledge and capabilities needed to support or provide relief coverage for the Control Room Coordinator when formally qualified and designated.
- Perform other duties consistent with the position and operational needs of the plant.
Performance Expectations
- Demonstrate safe, conservative, and procedure-driven decision-making.
- Support environmental compliance and accurate, complete operating records.
- Promote reliable plant operation by preventing avoidable trips and identifying equipment issues early.
- Support plant availability, efficient startups, operating efficiency, and responsible cost control without compromising safety or compliance.
- Communicate effectively across shifts and work collaboratively with operations, maintenance, management, and support personnel.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED.
- Ability to successfully complete the OEPP operator qualification program through the WPO, APO, and CRO positions.
- Ability and willingness to work rotating 12-hour day and night shifts, overtime, emergency call-ins, and outage assignments.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to provide clear work direction, complete permits, document plant conditions, and conduct thorough shift turnovers.
- Basic computer proficiency and the ability to learn plant control, electronic log, work-management, and administrative systems.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, work effectively with limited supervision, and respond appropriately during abnormal or emergency conditions.
- Ability to successfully complete required pre-employment controlled-substance screening and other applicable employment requirements.
**Level of position will be determined by applicable skills/experience
**All applicants must be a successful candidate on the Plant Operator Selection System/Power Plant Operations and Maintenance (POSS / MASS) program in order to be considered a candidate for this position. POSS / MASS exams are administered on an as-needed basis by Human Resources and all communication concerning the testing is sent to the candidate's email address provided during the application process.
Preferred Qualifications
- Three or more years of control-room or board-operator experience.
- Three or more years of combined-cycle power-plant operating experience.
- Experience operating gas turbines, steam turbines, generators, and balance-of-plant systems.
- Experience operating and troubleshooting Ovation DCS and GE Mark VI turbine control systems, including alarm response, plant startups, and shutdowns.
- Water-treatment or power-plant chemistry experience.
- Relevant military power-generation or comparable industrial process-operations experience.
Working Conditions
- Work is performed in a control-room and industrial power-plant environment, both indoors and outdoors.
- The position may require exposure to heat, cold, high noise levels, rotating equipment, chemicals, and other industrial hazards while using required personal protective equipment.
- The employee must be able to walk and stand for extended periods, climb stairs and ladders, and access plant equipment areas, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Regular attendance, punctuality, and reliable response to assigned shifts, overtime, emergencies, and outage work are essential.
This position description summarizes the principal duties and requirements of the role. It is not intended to include every task or responsibility that may be assigned.
Job Family
Plant Operations
Company
Luminant Generation Company LLC
Locations
Odessa, Texas
Texas
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If you currently work for Vistra or its subsidiaries, please apply via the internal career site.
It is the policy of the Company to comply with all employment laws and to afford equal employment opportunity to individuals in all aspects of employment, including in selection for job opportunities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance submitting an application or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at assistance@vistraenergy.com to make a request.
