In the Air Force:
Aerospace Propulsion; Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, F100, F119, F135 Jet Engines; Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF34, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines; Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman, Turbofan and Turbojet Propulsion; Aerospace Propulsion Helper; Aerospace Propulsion Helper, F101, F110, F118 Jet Engines; Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, F100, F101, F110, F118, F119, F135 Jet Engines; Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, Turboprop And Turboshaft Propulsion; Electrical Power Production; Electrical Power Production Craftsman; Electrical Power Production Journeyman
In the Army:
Aircraft Powertrain Repairer; Construction Engineering Technician; Engineer Equipment Maintenance Warrant Officer; Powerline Distribution Specialist (RC); Prime Power Production Specialist; Tactical Power Generation Specialist
In the Coast Guard:
Aviation Maintenance Technician; Electrician's Mate; Machinery Technician
From individual home furnaces to the bright lights of the big city… keeping homes and businesses powered-up takes round-the-clock operations at power plants. Whether from coal, gas, nuclear energy, wind, or solar sources… power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that provide electric power. Nuclear power reactor operators control nuclear reactors. They monitor reactor equipment and systems, adjusting controls as needed. Operators may need to respond to abnormalities, determine the causes, and fix the issue. They must be licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Power plant operators oversee machinery to generate electricity, and keep the system in balance and under control. They monitor instruments to maintain voltage and electricity flows from the plant to meet consumers’ fluctuating demand for electricity. Power distributors and dispatchers control the flow of electricity traveling from generating stations to substations and to users. They reroute electrical currents around areas that need maintenance or repair, and prevent further damage during emergency outages. Many of these workers operate in highly secure environments, and give their full attention to monitoring controls during their shift… occasionally walking rounds to check equipment. Work schedules are often rotating 8- or 12-hour shifts, which can be wearing as living and sleeping patterns change frequently. While job requirements may vary from a high school diploma to a bachelor’s degree, these jobs all require extensive on-the-job training. Candidates must pass background checks, as well as drug and alcohol screenings. An understanding of mechanical concepts, spatial ability, and mathematical ability are necessary.
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.
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
Arts and Humanities
English language
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
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
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
You might use software like this on the job:
Industrial control software
Distributed control system DCS
General Electric Mark VI Distributed Control System DCS
Electronic mail software
Email software
Microsoft Outlook
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
In the military:
see titles from the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, or Navy.
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