Power Plant Mechanic

We are currently recruiting an Operations and Maintenance Technician-Mechanic for our facility in Wharton, Texas. This position maintains and repairs stationary engines and mechanical equipment such as gas turbines, steam turbines, diesel engines, generators, heat recovery steam generators, air compressors, motors, and various types of pumps used within a combined cycle generation facility.

Job Responsibilities

• Installs, modifies, repairs, and performs diagnostic evaluation, troubleshooting and periodic and unscheduled maintenance on a wide range of mechanical and hydraulic equipment common to steam and power producing stations
• Use hand tools, power tools, and manual or electronic alignment equipment to maintain and perform repairs on various plant equipment.
• As required, operates heavy mobile equipment (fork lifts, man lifts, carry-deck crane etc.)
• As required, perform general welding repairs to plant piping, and other systems.
• Reads meters and gauges or automatic recording devices at specified intervals to verify operating conditions.
• Records data such as temperature of equipment, hours of operation, temperature or pressure, and fluid levels.
• Adjusts manual controls or overrides automatic controls to bring equipment into recommended or prescribed operating ranges, switch to backup equipment or systems, or to shut down equipment.
• Visually inspects and listens to equipment at periodic intervals to detect malfunctions or need for repair, adjustment or lubrication.
• Maintains equipment by tightening fittings, replacing valve packing, gaskets, valves, and gauges, and cleaning or replacing other component parts as required.
• Oils and lubricates equipment.
• Records maintenance actions taken on work order forms. Change work order status’ within the Maximo CMMS system
• Opens and closes valves as required for proper system operation and mechanical isolation.
• Opens and closes circuit breakers for proper system operation and electrical isolation.
• Dismantles devices to gain access to and remove defective parts.
• Examines form and texture of parts to detect imperfections.
• Inspects used parts to determine changes in dimensional requirements.
• Adjusts functional parts of devices.
• Repairs or replaces defective parts. Installs special functional and structural parts in devices.
• Lubricates and cleans parts.
• Starts devices to test their performance.
• Sets up and operates drill press, grinder, and other tools to make and repair parts.
• Initiates purchase request for parts, tools and consumable materials as needed.
• Prepares legible and understandable work orders for required preventative and corrective maintenance.
• Diagnoses cause of mechanical malfunction or failure of operational equipment.
• Reads and understands technical manuals and system piping and instrumentation diagrams.
• Performs preventative and corrective maintenance in accordance with technical manual procedures.
• Reads, understands, and complies with all plant safety and regulatory procedures.
• Able to be qualified and perform all essential duties of a Cogeneration Power Plant Operator.
• Maintain logs, and record labor, materials, and equipment used as required
• Assist with routine maintenance on medium and high voltage switchgear, 4160V MCC, 13.8kV, 138kV, 480v MCC’s.
• Reads and understands mechanical prints and schematics.
• Applies knowledge of electrical and mechanical principles in determining equipment malfunctions and applies skills in restoring equipment to operation
• Work as a team member or alone to complete projects and system upgrades
• Regularly log work performed, schedules and maintenance logs into computer systems.
• Respond quickly to emergency situations
• Must be able to work late hours and overnight, should be able to work weekends and support callouts in a timely manner

Required Skills / Knowledge

• Excellent understanding of safety rules in an industrial setting
• Ability to perform contractor oversight during outages to ensure schedule adherence and quality job performance by contractor groups
• Must be familiar with standard mechanical principals used in an industrial facility
• Strong mechanical, analytical, and solution driven skills
• Excellent communication ability
• Possess strong mechanical abilities
• Ability to do the work of this position with minimal supervision
• Ability to schedule and balance priorities; and possess a strong adherence to deadlines
• Strong ability to read and understand schematics, wiring diagrams, and P&ID’s
• Ability to relate with and work with several people irrespective of their background
• Must demonstrate proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook and Maximo CMMS