Power Plant Operator jobs in California

The Pasadena Water and Power Department is seeking a Power Plant Operator to perform journey-level duties in the safe and efficient operation of simple and combined cycle gas turbines, main and auxiliary fluid cycles and their associated equipment. Work assigned requires complex technical knowledge of the functions applicable to an area of assignment and the ability to solve routine to difficult problems.

The ideal candidate will assist in the operation and monitoring of steam and gas turbine electric power-generating units, inspects condition of main unit and auxiliary equipment, and will be responsible to perform related duties as assigned.

This is a great opportunity! To learn more about our Water and Power department please click  here. 

This is a continuous recruitment subject to close at any time. Apply immediately. 

The first review of applications will be July 1, 2024.

The major responsibilities of this position are listed below. For more detailed information, please review the job description. 

• Under direction from the Power Plant Control Operator, operates steam and gas turbo-electric generators; operates compressors, chillers and other equipment. 
• Inspects turbines, heat recovery steam boilers and auxiliary equipment regularly, reporting erratic operation or malfunction; reads operation indicators and determines proper settings and/or makes corrections; takes meter readings.
• Assists in the control of plant emissions from gas turbines; ensures monitoring equipment and emission control equipment is operating accurately.
• Chemically treats and controls cooling towers; supervises delivery of chemicals to holding tanks; maintains water chemistry for once through steam generators and water systems; tests and treats oil/water separator and outfall boxes.
• Maintains a variety of logs, work reports and compliance records including inspection records, emission documentation, water processing, water treatment and wastewater disposal records; maintains chemical inventory.
• Under instruction from the Power Plant Control Operator, racks in/out equipment circuit breakers, up to 13,800 volts; sets and tags controls.
• Periodically relieves the Power Plant Control Operator in the control room.
• May provide on-the-job training and work direction to Power Plant Apprentices and other newly hired operations personnel.

• Attention To Detail - Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Professional & Technical Expertise - Applying technical subject matter to the job.
• Learning Agility - Seeking learning opportunities and applying the lessons to one's work.
• Action & Results Focus - Initiating tasks and focusing on accomplishment.
• Teamwork - Collaborating with others to achieve shared goals.
• Safety Focus - Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards. 

• Graduation from high school or GED equivalent. 
• Two years of progressively responsible experience in high-pressure boilers (a minimum of 400 psi and a minimum of 100,000 pounds steam per hour in steam electric, mechanical drive or marine propulsion service) and steam plant auxiliaries OR
• Progressively responsible experience in the maintenance and operation of a gas turbine (minimum of 6,000 shp) OR
• Completion of a Power Plant Apprentice program.

Must possess a valid California Class C driver's license and comply with the City's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy during the course of employment.

Annual certification for CPR and First Aid.