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POWER PLANT OPERATORS

Occupation Description:

Control, operate, or maintain machinery to generate electric power. Includes auxiliary equipment operators. Excludes �Nuclear Power Reactor Operators� (51-8011).

Career Video:

Power Plant Operators

Specialized Occupations:

Biomass Plant Technicians (ONET code: 51-8013.03)

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians (ONET code: 51-8013.04)


	Occupation Description:

	Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.


	Typical Tasks:

	Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations. Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines. Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs. Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions. Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants. Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination. Maintain or repair hydroelectric plant electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment, such as motors, transformers, voltage regulators, generators, relays, battery systems, air compressors, sump pumps, gates, or valves.


	Knowledge:

	Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.. Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.. Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.. Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.. Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.. Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.. Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads..

Typical Tasks:

Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
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.
Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.

Search for Jobs on CareerOneStop:

	Search for Power Plant Operators Jobs
	Search for Biomass Plant Technicians Jobs
	Search for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Jobs

(Please note that some searches may not produce any results.)

Education & Training:

Long-term on-the-job training (more than 12 months)

Wage Information:

Region	Average Annual	Average Hourly	Entry Level (hourly)	Mid-Range (hourly)
Statewide	$95,017.00	$45.68	$33.24	$36.84 - $53.46
Bridgeport/Stamford	$97,583.00	$46.91	$35.92	$39.08 - $53.31
Hartford	$91,831.00	$44.15	$32.42	$36.39 - $53.46
New London/Norwich	$88,800.00	$42.69	$33.12	$35.16 - $52.51

Not sure which Region applies to you?
Select a town to see its region highlighted in the table above:

Occupation Outlook:

Region	Employment		Average Annual Growth Rate	Average Annual Job Openings
Region	2022	2032	Average Annual Growth Rate	Average Annual Job Openings
State of Connecticut	260	210	-0.2%	14

Chart of Growth Rate and Annual Openings

Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

Key:

N/A = Not Applicable, ***** = Over $60.00 per hour, ##### = Over $124,821

Similar Occupations:

State of Connecticut Department of Labor - Office of Research, 200 Folly Brook Boulevard, Wethersfield, CT 06109