Combustion Turbine Technician

Job Summary

This position is a great opportunity for a motivated person who has the attitude and aptitude to forge a career path in a stable industry. Armstrong has some of the leading staff in the industry and will help build a specialist’s experience and skill set. The training and qualification program at Armstrong Power was designed to facilitate all levels of prior experience and knowledge. Training will be provided by web-based programs, self-paced curriculum, and hands on experience.

The primary function of the Combustion Turbine Specialist is to support operations and maintenance of a simple cycle duel fuel combustion turbine and its associated systems. This individual is responsible for the safe operation and monitoring of turbine generators and associated balance of plant equipment during start-up, normal condition, and shutdown of plant equipment.

Job Functions

• Under the direction of plant staff, learn all systems necessary to effetely operate the plant during all conditions. This learning process will include power plant fundamentals, advanced theory of gas turbine and generator operations, and maintaining power plant equipment.
• Operates turbine-generators and auxiliaries to include start-up and shut-down. Observes and records readings of required indicators and/or instruments for safe operation within prescribed limits.
• Prepares plant statistical reports, assists with the preparation of Operations and Maintenance capital budgets, maintenance of plant configuration drawings, databases, operation, and maintenance procedures as needed.
• Participates in the station's safety tagging and record maintenance, helps to ensure that plant operations follow regulatory and environmental requirements. Records maintenance actions taken on appropriate logs.
• Makes recommendations for improvement of plant performance and operation safety relevant to assigned area of responsibility
• Safely operates plant equipment needed to perform essential job duties, e.g., vehicles, cranes, hoists, welding and cutting equipment, etc.
• Responsible for the inspection, testing, troubleshooting, service and repair, calibration, and installation of pneumatic and/or electric control instruments. Installs, maintains, and troubleshoots all mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, micro- processors, and electronic (solid state) sensing transmitting, indicating, integrating, recording, and regulating apparatus, equipment and circuitry associated with the plant.
• Develops and conducts the plant's predictive maintenance program, administering and maintaining plant maintenance and inventory control; conducts plant performance evaluations and collects associated data.
• Assists with the development and administration of specified packages for the initial and continual training of other plant's Combustion Turbine Technicians upon request.

• Performs tests, calibrations, and repairs to instrumentation, including all equipment associated with environmental protection and monitoring in accordance with the standards and protocols of the plant.
• Handles related electrical maintenance duties to include the wiring and disconnection of motors, replacement of thermocouples and fuses.
• Installs, tests, removes and replaces motors, generators, rotating equipment, rectifiers, batteries, transformers, regulators, reactors, circuit breakers, disconnecting switches, instruments, control relays, communication equipment, lightning arrestors and other auxiliary equipment with control apparatus in the generating station and associated substation.
• Performs mechanical maintenance installation and repair on plant equipment, structures and buildings- including incidental welding, brazing, flame and arc cutting which are not restricted by safety, boiler code or structural code requirements, as well as the more complex tasks involving compliance with codes and regulations.
• Uses appropriate safety equipment and techniques in the daily performance of all work activities.
• Reads and interprets complex blueprints, wiring and schematic diagrams, and performs both internal and external switching and tagging for mechanical and electrical systems.
• Updates station logs, e.g., maintenance repairs and outage logs, time reports, material requisitions, etc. in accordance with the protocols of the plant. Completes appropriate plant documents to requisition necessary plant parts, e.g., purchase order request, work order, etc.
• May arrange for the transfer and/or receipt of fuel for plant operation.
• Reads, understands, and complies with all regulatory procedures and facility safety protocols.
• Ensures adequate turnover of information between shifts, or between projects.
• Maintains high standards of safety.
• Cooperates and participates as a team member to accomplish plant goals and objectives.
• Acts as a team member with all employees of Armstrong Power staff.
• Complies with all IPSC policies and procedures.

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Experience with electric generating equipment and operations, to include the repair and maintenance of turbine generators is desired although not mandatory.
• Valid driver's license and must be insurable by company's vehicle insurance carrier.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Must be motivated to learn new skills both self-taught and under instruction.
• Has the ability and desire to solve complex problems.
• Good oral and written communication skills are essential.
• Must possess a high degree of initiative and judgment.
• Must have demonstrated excellent ability to communicate effectively.
• Familiarity with computer-based productivity tools relevant to the plant, e.g., Microsoft software products, databases for work orders (CMMS), maintenance logs, and procurement systems, etc.
• Ability to respond to plant emergencies/call-ins (day or night) holidays, weekends.
• Ability to work rotating shifts involving weekends, holidays, backshifts, and overtime as applicable

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to high.
• 60% of the work is performed indoors and 40% is performed outdoors.
• Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Abilities

• Ability to hear and understand audible alarms, detect changes in noise levels of equipment Capable of frequently standing; walking; balancing, sitting; climbing (ladders, stairs, ramps, catwalks, stacks and the like as required); stooping; squatting; crouching; crawling; kneeling; reaching; grasping; pushing; pulling; lifting (min. 50lbs); feeling; talking and hearing.
• Capable of performing repetitive motions as required.
• Required to have eyesight corrected at 20/40 to accurately read and interpret such as but not limited to instruments, gauges, and manuals.
• Must be physically capable of entering and working in a confined space (crawl spaces, shafts, small enclosed areas, pipes, and the like) as required.
• Must be physically capable of performing demanding work at various heights and in adverse conditions during operations, shutdowns, and in fire/emergency activities.