Power Plant Operators

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

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
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about power plant operators.