Description
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
- • Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
- • Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
- • Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
- • Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
- • Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
- • Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
- • Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
- • Control or maintain auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, fans, compressors, condensers, feedwater heaters, filters, or chlorinators, to supply water, fuel, lubricants, air, or auxiliary power.
- • Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
- • Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
- • Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
- • Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
- • Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
- • Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
- • Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
- • Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
- • Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
- • Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
- • Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.
- • Operate, control, or monitor equipment, such as acid or gas carbon dioxide removal units, carbon dioxide compressors, or pipelines, to capture, store, or transport carbon dioxide exhaust.
- • Operate, control, or monitor gasifiers or related equipment, such as coolers, water quenches, water gas shifts reactors, or sulfur recovery units, to produce syngas or electricity from coal.
- • Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal.
- • Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.
- • Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.
- • Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.
- • Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.
- • Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
- • Repair or replace gas piping.
- • Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.
- • Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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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
