Power Plant Operators
Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators.
- Tasks
- 30 tasks13 core, 9 supplemental, 8 not rated
- Family
- ProductionOne of its 114 occupations
- Code
- 51-8013.00SOC 2018: 51-8013
What the work is made of
13 core tasks, 9 supplemental and 8 not rated, each quoted as published, with where it came from.
Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not allNot rated: O*NET has not rated it core or supplemental
- Task 1. Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.Core taskTask 12328Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 2. Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.Core taskTask 12318Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 3. Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.Core taskTask 12316Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 4. Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.Core taskTask 12319Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 5. Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.Core taskTask 12314Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 6. Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes.Core taskTask 19914Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 7. Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.Core taskTask 12325Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 8. 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.Core taskTask 12321Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 9. Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.Core taskTask 12317Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 10. Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.Core taskTask 12320Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 11. Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.Core taskTask 12322Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 12. Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.Core taskTask 12324Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 13. Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.Core taskTask 12327Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 14. Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.Supplemental taskTask 12315Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 15. 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.Supplemental taskTask 19915Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 16. 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.Supplemental taskTask 19916Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 17. Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.Supplemental taskTask 12323Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 18. Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal.Supplemental taskTask 19917Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 19. Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.Supplemental taskTask 12330Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 20. Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.Supplemental taskTask 12326Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 21. Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.Supplemental taskTask 12331Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 22. Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.Supplemental taskTask 12329Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 23. Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities.Not ratedTask 23612Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
- Task 24. Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems.Not ratedTask 23613Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
- Task 25. Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance.Not ratedTask 23614Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
- Task 26. Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems.Not ratedTask 23615Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
- Task 27. Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.Not ratedTask 23616Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
- Task 28. Repair or replace gas piping.Not ratedTask 23617Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
- Task 29. Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws.Not ratedTask 23618Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
- Task 30. Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations.Not ratedTask 23619Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
Where this comes from
Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.
How we copy and credit sources- Published byO*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
- ClassificationStandard Occupational Classification 2018, 51-8013
- LicenseCC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
- Changed by usNothing.
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