Fuel System Operator

Description

General Summary: 

Operate and maintain fuel handling equipment used in the transportation of coal, disposal of coal combustion products (CCPs) and yard activities to support load demand, generation requirements and environmental compliance. Assist with mechanical maintenance activities. Knowledge and consideration of heavy equipment operation in safe and productive manners. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Operates and monitors assigned equipment in normal and abnormal situations to ensure proper, safe, and efficient operation. Communicates equipment conditions and corrections to the tagging center or plant control room operator.

• Responds to work events, makes decisions, and directs others during routine and emergency conditions to minimize health and safety risks and damage to equipment. 
• Operates control systems and machinery to effectively transport coal from the mine to the plant, the emergency stockpile, or reclaim coal to support generation needs.  
• Operates equipment and machinery to direct the disposal operation of coal combustion products (CCPs). 
• Maintains accurate daily logs of operating conditions. 
• Maintains detailed knowledge of the clearance procedures and can apply knowledge during lock out / tag out of designated equipment to facilitate repairs, reduce risk of personal injury, and prevent damage to equipment. 
• Manages safe and timely operation of rail car load out 

Maintains system and mobile equipment and assigned tools; inspects, cleans, and performs minor maintenance as needed to keep free from safety hazards.

• Assists in the evaluation of equipment failures to determine cause of major or recurring failures  
• Evaluates recommendations and establishes actions to be taken to prevent recurrence of problem areas 
• Writes detailed WO’s for equipment repairs and documents completed WO’s in assigned areas of responsibility 
• Takes ownership of assigned areas and associated backlogs 
• Collects and records equipment data to maintain equipment history 
• Conducts lube oil PMs as required 
• Maintains tool box and tools issued by the company. 
• Responsible for assigned equipment and vehicles 
• Operate heavy equipment such as D11 dozer, 777 haul trucks, motor grader, etc. but not limited too. 
• Knowledge of excavation practices in which safe and desired slopes are maintained as well as environmental control. 

Performs year-round yard maintenance activities

• Maintains safe access to and around plant site 
• Operates machinery utilized in snow removal and yard maintenance  
• Provides an orderly yard maintenance program utilizing mowing, fertilizing, weed control, and general clean up to prevent safety hazards 

Understands and follows REC’s safety and environmental policies and procedures

• Reports all unsafe acts or conditions that may cause injury to plant personnel or damage equipment. 
• Reports all noncompliance and work to support all aspects of REC environmental program goals. 
• Utilizes best management practices to support Rainbow Energy Center’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. 
• Observes, inspects, and maintains assigned ash ponds, containment sites and associated ponds to ensure environmental compliance. 

Provides assistance in supporting load demand and generation

• Supports and assists the scrubber areas as needed 
• Supports and assists in other core areas and during outages as needed 
• Trains and mentors new and temporary employees as needed 
• Support projects and outages with operation of Vac trucks throughout the plant. 

Requirements

Job Criteria: 

Education & Experience: 

Knowledge typically acquired through a high school diploma or equivalent required. A minimum of two years prior experience with conveyor systems and operating light construction equipment is required. Experience operating heavy equipment is preferred. Must successfully complete in-house operator training within two years. MSHA certification is preferred. Must have a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of the fuel and ash system and related operating equipment 
• Knowledge of REC plant traffic flows for fly ash hauling and rules for the roads. 
• Skills to read and understand P&ID’s, procedure manuals, and other reference materials. 
• Skills in utilizing power and small hand tools to perform minor maintenance activities
• Basic personal computer skills
• Ability to operate light and heavy yard equipment and troubleshoot maintenance on related mobile equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively and concisely both verbally and written. 
• Ability to think clearly and act quickly with good judgment and common sense in operating all associated equipment 
• Ability to detect equipment status changes on LCD panels.
• Ability and responsibility to work safely alone and with others while following REC safety rules, certifications and procedures. 
• Ability and responsibility to ensure security procedures are followed including immediate notification of potential incidents.
• Ability and responsibility to operate outside coal system via Honeywell controls 
• Knowledge and skills relating to operating construction equipment.  

Working Conditions

(The mental and physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions)

Working conditions will be indoors and outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather conditions of extreme cold or heat. Must be able to travel to various locations throughout the plant and facility grounds. Conditions in the plant and facility grounds may include extreme temperatures, noise levels, and heights. There will be overtime, and/or working weekends and infrequent overnight travel.  

This position requires the ability to occasionally to frequently sit, stand, walk, and lift up to 20-50 pounds frequently and bilateral carry up to 100 pounds on rare occasion. The ability to climb, balance, work at heights and work with arms above your head occasionally up to frequently. Ability to occasionally up to frequently stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist and squat, work on even and uneven surfaces and ability to work occasionally in confined space areas. Ability to frequently push, pull, carry, grasp and finger objects. Subject to frequent vibration and hazards and on occasion exposed to fumes, dust or mist. Must wear protective equipment when required. Must be able to differentiate colors, have vision ability to encompass close-up and distant work, and the ability to speak and hear. 

This position requires working a rotating swing shift. Schedules shall be any combination of eight-, ten- or twelve-hour shifts and includes days, afternoons, nights weekends and holidays.