# Power Plant Operators > Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. - Code: 51-8013.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 51-8013) - Family: [Production](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-51), one of its 114 occupations - Tasks: 30 tasks (13 core, 9 supplemental and 8 not rated) - Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/51-8013.00 - JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/51-8013.00.json ## What the work is made of 1. Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels. Core task · Task 12328 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 2. Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals. Core task · Task 12318 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 3. Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment. Core task · Task 12316 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024 4. Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary. Core task · Task 12319 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 5. Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems. Core task · Task 12314 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024 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 task · Task 19914 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 7. Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units. Core task · Task 12325 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 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 task · Task 12321 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 9. Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers. Core task · Task 12317 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024 10. Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status. Core task · Task 12320 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024 11. Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration. Core task · Task 12322 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024 12. Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports. Core task · Task 12324 · Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024 13. Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints. Core task · Task 12327 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 14. Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations. Supplemental task · Task 12315 · Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024 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 task · Task 19915 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024 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 task · Task 19916 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024 17. Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies. Supplemental task · Task 12323 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 18. Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal. Supplemental task · Task 19917 · Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024 19. Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies. Supplemental task · Task 12330 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 20. Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis. Supplemental task · Task 12326 · Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024 21. Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices. Supplemental task · Task 12331 · Rated by 57 people who do the job, August 2024 22. Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system. Supplemental task · Task 12329 · Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2024 23. Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities. Not rated · Task 23612 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020 24. Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems. Not rated · Task 23613 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020 25. Monitor well fields periodically to ensure proper functioning and performance. Not rated · Task 23614 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020 26. Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems. Not rated · Task 23615 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020 27. Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports. Not rated · Task 23616 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020 28. Repair or replace gas piping. Not rated · Task 23617 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020 29. Trace electrical circuitry to ensure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws. Not rated · Task 23618 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020 30. Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations. 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