Description
Operate, control, and maintain machinery and systems to generate electric power, including auxiliary equipment.
- • Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect operating problems.
- • Adjust controls to generate specified electrical output and regulate power flows between stations and substations.
- • Operate and control boilers, turbines, generators, and reactors using control boards or semi-automatic systems.
- • Regulate operations and conditions, such as water levels and pressures, using instrument data or computer systems.
- • Take corrective actions based on readings from charts, meters, and gauges at established intervals.
- • Start or stop generators, turbines, pumps, and other plant equipment as needed.
- • Review logs and communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment status.
- • Operate and maintain auxiliary equipment, including pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, and chlorinators.
- • Clean, lubricate, and perform routine maintenance on generators, turbines, pumps, and compressors.
- • Coordinate with system operators to regulate line voltage, frequency, and transmission loads.
- • Record and compile operational data in forms, logs, and reports.
- • Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start up or shut down units.
- • Collect oil, water, and electrolyte samples for analysis.
- • Make adjustments and minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
- • Control generator output to match phase, frequency, and voltage requirements.
- • Place standby generators online during emergencies and monitor temperature, output, and lubrication.
- • Receive outage calls and dispatch or request personnel during outages or emergencies.
- • Examine and test power generation and distribution equipment using testing devices.
- • Operate and maintain distributed generation equipment, such as fuel cells or microturbines, when applicable.
- • Operate, monitor, and control carbon capture equipment, including CO2 removal units, compressors, and pipelines.
- • Operate, monitor, and control gasifiers and related systems, such as coolers, quenches, shift reactors, and sulfur recovery units.
- • Operate, monitor, and control IGCC and related equipment, including air separation units.
- • Analyze plant layouts, instrumentation, and system functions to optimize performance.
- • Diagnose and troubleshoot problems with gas collection or fuel supply systems.
- • Operate natural gas-fueled electrical generation systems.
- • Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety reports.
- • Repair or replace gas piping and associated fittings when required.
- • Trace electrical circuits to verify compliance with codes and standards.
- • Verify monitoring data complies with applicable regulations.
Related specializations
Interview options
Interview options
Interviewee gender
Interviewee accent
Interview time
Related Pathways
Energy & Natural Resources
View
Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
Learn more
Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
