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Power Plant Operators - 51-8013.00

The occupation code you requested, 51-8099.02 (Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 51-8013.00 (Power Plant Operators) instead.

O*NET-SOC Description

Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Auxiliary Operator
  • Control Operator
  • Control Room Operator
  • Multicraft Operator (MCO)
  • Operations and Maintenance Technician (O & M Technician)
  • Plant Control Operator
  • Power Plant Operator
  • Station Operator
  • Unit Operator

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
  • Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.
  • Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
  • Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
  • Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
  • Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
  • 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.
  • Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
  • Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.
  • Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
  • Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
  • Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
  • Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
  • Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.
  • Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
  • Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.
  • 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.
  • Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
  • Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
  • Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
  • Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
  • Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
  • Repair or replace gas piping.
  • Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
  • Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
  • Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.
  • Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Clean production equipment.
  • Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
  • Evaluate characteristics of equipment or systems.
  • Exchange information with colleagues.
  • Inspect equipment or systems.
  • Lubricate production equipment.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Maintain sustainable energy production equipment.
  • Monitor conditions at energy-producing landfills.
  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
  • Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
  • Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
  • Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
  • Operate energy distribution equipment.
  • Operate energy production equipment.
  • Operate natural gas generation equipment.
  • Operate pumping systems or equipment.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Repair production equipment or tools.
  • Replace worn equipment components.
  • Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Construction Electrician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • AEGIS Mark C. Pope (MCP) 400Hz Power Conversion Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, F100, F119, F135Jet Engines (F-15, F16, F-22 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, F101, F110, F118, TF34 Jet Engines (A-10, B-1, B-2, F-16, U-2 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines (Airlift, Special Mission, and B-52 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Apprentice, Turboprop andTurboshaft Propulsion (helicopter, propeller, tiltrotor aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman, F100, F101, F110, F118, F119, F135, TF34 Jet Engines (A-10, B-1, B-2, F-15, F-16, F-22, F-35, U-2 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines (Airlift, Special Mission, and B-52 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Craftsman, Turboprop andTurboshaft Propulsion (helicopter, propeller, tiltrotor aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Helper, F100, F119, F135Jet Engines (F-15, F16, F-22 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Helper, F101, F110, F118, TF34 Jet Engines (A-10, B-1, B-2, F-16, U-2 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Helper, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines (Airlift, Special Mission, and B-52 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Helper, Turboprop andTurboshaft Propulsion (helicopter, propeller, tiltrotor aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, F100, F101, F110, F118, F119, F135 Jet Engines (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, TF33, CF6, F103, F108, F117, TFE-731, TF39, PW 2040, F138 Jet Engines (Airlift, Special Mission, and B-52 aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Journeyman, Turboprop andTurboshaft Propulsion (helicopter, propeller, tiltrotor aircraft) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aerospace Propulsion Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Maintenance (Fixed-Wing) (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Powertrain Repairer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Amphibous Command Ship (LCC)/Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Steam Plant Operations (SPO) Qualified (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Automatic Boiler Controls Console Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Auxiliary Equipment Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Cannon Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Cavalry Scout (Army - Enlisted)
  • CG 47 Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • CG 47 Gas Turbine Mechanical Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Combat Engineer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Construction Engineering Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • DDG 51 FLT I-II Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • DDG 51-M Gas Turbine Electrical Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • DDG-51 FLT I-II Gas Turbine Mechanical Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • DDG-M Gas Turbine Mechanical Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Electrical Power Production (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Electrical Power Production Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Electrical Power Production Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Electrical Power Production Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Electrical Power Production Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Electrician's Mate (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Electrician's Mate (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Electricians Mate, Nuclear Power (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Electronics Technician, Nuclear Power (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Engineer Equipment Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Facility Systems Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Facility Systems Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, F-35 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, F/A-18 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic, KC-130 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic-Trainee (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Flight Engineer, KC-130 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Loadmaster, KC-130 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, F-35 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, F/A-18 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Mechanic, KC-130 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, F-402 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, F-404 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, J-52 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Power Plants Mechanic, T-56 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, AV-8/TAV-8 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, F-35 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, F/A-18 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic, KC-130/V-22 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Aircraft Safety Equipment Mechanic-Trainee (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fixed-Wing Transport Aircraft Specialist, C-20 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Gas Turbine Electrical Systems Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Gas Turbine Electrical Systems Manager (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Gas Turbine Electrical Systems Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Gas Turbine Mechanical Systems Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Gas Turbine Mechanical Systems Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Gas Turbine System Technician (Electrical) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Gas Turbine System Technician (Mechanical) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • LPD-17 Class Electric Plant Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • LPD-17 Class Engineering Control System (ECS) Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Machinery Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Machinist's Mate (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Machinist's Mate, Nuclear Power (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Machinists Mate, Non-Nuclear, Submarine Auxiliary (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Marine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Missile And Space Facilities (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Missile And Space Facilities Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Missile And Space Facilities Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Missile And Space Facilities Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Missile And Space Facilities Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Mobile Utilities Support Equipment (MUSE) Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Mobile Utilities Support Equipment Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Naval Engineering Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Powerline Distribution Specialist (RC) (Army - Enlisted)
  • Prime Power Production Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Propulsion Plant Mechanical Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Public Works Production Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Public Works Utilities Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • RL - Engineering Duty Officer - Ship Engineering (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • RL - Special Duty Officer - Strategic Sealift Officer (SSO) (Navy - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Steam Plant Auxiliary Systems Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Steam Plant Auxiliary Systems Manager (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Steam Plant Auxiliary Systems Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Engineering Laboratory Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Mechanical (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Reactor Control (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Propulsion Plant Electrical Manager (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Propulsion Plant Electrical Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Propulsion Plant Electrical Supervisor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Reactor Controls Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Reactor Controls Supervisor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Support Equipment Electrician/Refrigeration and Engine/Gas Turbine Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Surface Propulsion Plant Electrical Manager (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surface Propulsion Plant Electrical Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surface Propulsion Plant Electrical Supervisor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surface Reactor Controls Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surface Reactor Controls Supervisor (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surface Ship Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Engineering Laboratory Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surface Ship Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Mechanical (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Surface Ship Nuclear Propulsion Plant Operator - Reactor Control (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Power Generation Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Torpedoman's Mate (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Unit Supply Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Unmanned Aircraft Mechanic, MQ-9 (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Hydroelectric-Station Operator
  • Power-Plant Operator
  • Turbine Operator

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Auxiliary-Equipment Operator
  • Diesel-Plant Operator
  • Firer, High Pressure
  • Hydroelectric-Station Operator
  • Power Operator
  • Power-Plant Operator
  • Turbine Operator