Power Plant Operators

Auxiliary Operator, Control Operator, Control Room Operator, Plant Control Operator

Where in the military? Select a military branch to see samples.
Aerospace Propulsion; Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, F101, F110, F118, TF34 Jet Engines (A-10, B-1, B-2, F-16, U-2 aircraft); Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman, F100, F101, F110, F118, F119, F135, TF34 Jet Engines (A-10, B-1, B-2, F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35, U-2 aircraft); Aerospace Propulsion Helper; Aerospace Propulsion Helper, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines (Airlift, Special Mission, and B-52 aircraft); Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines (Airlift, Special Mission, and B-52 aircraft); Electrical Power Production; Electrical Power Production Helper; Facility Systems Superintendent; Missile And Space Facilities Craftsman
Aircraft Powertrain Repairer; Cannon Crewmember; Cavalry Scout; Combat Engineer; Construction Engineering Technician; Engineer Equipment Maintenance Warrant Officer; Powerline Distribution Specialist (RC); Prime Power Production Specialist; Tactical Power Generation Specialist; Unit Supply Specialist
Aviation Maintenance Technician; Electrician's Mate; Machinery Technician; Marine Safety Specialist Engineer; Naval Engineering Specialty
Aircraft Maintenance (Fixed-Wing); Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, F-35; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, KC-130; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Loadmaster, KC-130; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, F-35; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, KC-130; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, J-52; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8; Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, KC-130/V-22; Fixed-Wing Transport Aircraft Specialist, C-20
Advanced Construction Electrician; CG 47 Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance Technician; DDG-M Gas Turbine Mechanical Maintenance Technician; Gas Turbine Electrical Systems Manager; Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical); Mobile Utilities Support Equipment (MUSE) Technician; RL - Engineering Duty Officer - Ship Engineering; Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Engineering Laboratory Technician; Submarine Propulsion Plant Electrical Supervisor; Surface Propulsion Plant Electrical Supervisor
No similar titles were found.
What they do:
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
On the job, you would:
  • Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
  • Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
  • Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

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

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Independence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology In Demand

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Industrial control software

  • Distributed control system DCS
  • Yokogawa FAST/TOOLS

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training
Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Below Average
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Local Salary Info
Find Jobs
See more details at O*NET OnLine about power plant operators.