Auxiliary Operator (Yucca Power Plant)

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Date: Mar 14, 2024

Location: YUMA, AZ, US, 85364-9709

Company: APS

Arizona Public Service generates clean, reliable and affordable energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country’s fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.

Job Description

The Auxiliary Operator at Yucca Power Plant supports the safe, efficient and cost effective production of electric energy by operating and monitoring turbines, generators, scrubbers, bag houses, and plant auxiliary equipment. Performs chemical analysis of boiler water, wells, and circulating water and operating water treatment and chemical addition systems and minor mechanical maintenance. Writes/reviews work scope and hazard/risk assessment of the work assignment. Performs other duties as assigned. Reasonable and necessary overtime will be required. Shift work may be required.

Minimum Requirements:

+ Applicant must have completed Auxiliary Operator Trainee curriculum or equivalent.

+ Must have a valid driver's license.

+ This position requires working with aerial equipment, which has weight restrictions of 300 lbs or less.

+ This position is based out of Yuma, Arizona (Yucca Power Plant). The successful candidate must live within reasonable distance (45 minutes) from the plant.

Major Accountabilities

- Reads work orders, technical manuals, blueprints and diagrams related to the work assignment. Writes/reviews work scope and hazard/risk assessment of the work assignment.

- Knowledge of APM and safety standards related to auxiliary operator work such as personal protective equipment, hazardous material handling, asbestos containing material (ACM) awareness, MSDS, confined space entry, company LOTO procedures, ladder safety, arc flash protection, and all material contained in the accident prevention manual.

- Take field readings from charts, meters, and gauges at established intervals to ensure proper and efficient operation of the plant.

- Diagnose and correct equipment, system problems and other abnormal operating conditions by monitoring and inspecting power plant equipment.

- Communicate with Control Operator on any abnormal conditions. Coordinate any field action with the Control Operator.

- Reports any need for equipment repair.

- Under the direction of the Control Operator, manipulate field controls on all power plant auxiliary equipment. This includes the following systems such as boilers, turbines, water, fuel, air, ash handling, pollution control systems, auxiliary power etc. The operation of pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feed water heaters, filters, chemical injection equipment, scrubbers, ZLDs, bag houses etc.

- Open and close valves, dampers, switches, and breakers in the appropriate sequence following operating procedures to shut down and start up equipment.

- Isolate equipment from all energy sources to remove, inspect or maintain it by identifying the proper equipment and corresponding valves, breakers, switches. Hang LOTO tags at boundary points following the company LOTO procedure to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment.

- Inspect records and log book entries, and communicate with other plant personnel, in order to assess equipment operating status.

- Clean and ensure the proper lubrication of equipment such as generators, turbines, pumps, fans, conveyors, and compressors in order to prevent equipment failure or deterioration. Checks oil levels, lubricates, joints, adjust belts and tensioners, replace filters, tighten gland and pipe joints for preventative maintenance.

- Record and compile operational data, completing and maintaining forms, logs, and reports.

- Collect water and oil samples for laboratory analysis.

- Perform laboratory analysis on water samples. At Cholla the Water Analyst Position will be required to qualify as an AO on one of the AO areas.

- Reset tripped electric relays in coordination with the Control Operator following arc flash protection procedures.

- Clear obstructions in filters and equipment by removing debris and back flushing such as with heat exchangers.

- Analyze field problems such as hot bearings, plugged filters, low oil, clogged heat exchangers, bottom ash build up, loss of coal flow, lime flow drop off, etc. and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.

- Respond to emergencies such as fires, hazardous material spills and excess water spills.

- Communicate with Supervisor, Operations Crew Leader and peers by radio, telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person to provide and receive information-particularly at shift turnover.

- Identify and report to the Control Operator all items that have an adverse impact on unit and/or equipment efficiency and reliability.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Arizona Public Service is a smoke free workplace.

Testing Information

Tests are only administered to referred candidates. More information about our tests and the testing process can be found HERE. (https://www.aps.com/en/About/Careers/How-to-Apply/Pre-employment-Testing)

A written test will be administered.

A test using a computer with keyboard will be administered.

A hands-on skills test will be administered.

E-mail will be the method of contact with job applicants for test scheduling. Please be sure to check your e-mail regularly so that you receive scheduling notifications for testing and updated job information.

Role Type

Plant/Field Role:

This position requires work to be performed in the field and/or at the work site, due to the nature of work.

Eligibility:

Must live or relocate within reasonable distance to the headquarters for the position. Reasonable distance is contractually defined as thirty (30) minutes for Metro locations and forty-five (45) minutes for State Region locations.

CIP Requirement:

This position requires Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) access consistent with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards. The applicant considered for this role will be required to obtain and maintain CIP access for the duration of employment in this position. A full seven (7) year criminal history will be obtained through the pre-employment background check process (or, for current employees, through supplemental background check process) to fulfill the CIP access requirements. In addition, this position requires an additional background check every seven years to maintain access.