An opportunity has arisen to recruit a permanent Operations Technician (Development Programme) within the Operations Team, covering both Kilroot and Ballylumford power stations. This structured 2–3 year programme provides comprehensive training and development towards qualification as a fully competent Operations Technician. The role is primarily focused on the safe operation, monitoring and control of the power generation units as they start up, change load and shutdown to meet system demand.

The large rotating equipment on the sites includes gas turbines, steam turbines, generators and heat recovery steam generators. There is also a wide range of auxiliary plant and systems on site – compressed air, fire systems, reverse osmosis plant, fuel gas etc. As well as operation to meet demand other daily tasks will include operational logs and the isolation of plant and apparatus as defined within the safety rules as required to make plant safe for maintenance activities.

The Operations Technician (Development Programme) is required to provide technical and business support to teams throughout all areas of the plant including operational, commercial, maintenance, environmental compliance and safety, etc. The scope of the role includes the operation of all the Open Cycle Gas Turbine plant at Kilroot and the Combined Cycle Gas Turbine plant at Ballylumford but may in future include any other new plant within the NI sites. Reporting to the Site Operations Engineer (Kilroot) or Shift Team Leader (Ballylumford), the successful candidate will have responsibility for, but not limited to: Provisioning of safe and efficient operation of units and associated plant ensuring safety, commercial and product targets are met economically and within environmental limits.

Operating the plant according to procedures and standing instructions to ensure the plant is optimised and resources utilised effectively. Carrying out on load and off load general plant inspections, noting and reporting any defects as necessary, and recording any defects in the Computerised Maintenance Management System, Station Log and Station Incident Reporting system. Liaising with maintenance and engineering staff to identify operating problems and implements remedial action under direction, ensuring the smooth running of the plant.

Starting up and shutting down units in accordance with operating instructions and systems, which includes preparing and starting up the units; synchronising the units to system; loading up; controlling output; de-loading and shutting down. Monitoring the operation of the main and auxiliary plant during normal running conditions, recording and reporting divergence’s and taking action within defined limits to correct defects and/or abnormalities to maintain maximum operational safety and efficiency. Identifying operating problems on the running unit and instigating remedial action, ensuring actions are recorded and relevant personnel informed.

Co-operating with colleagues to support effective communication with all other members of staff, whilst working to achieve goals set by their line manager. Participating in career development as part of a company-wide staff development programme. Gathering, analysing, and interpreting log plant performance data during shift and implementing changes to improve operational efficiency with assistance of peers as required.

Assisting with projects for the team, department or station benefit and adopting the most suitable working pattern to facilitate this considering the needs of the Operations Technician group. Communicating all changes on the plant at shift change over and updating the electronic log accordingly, and communicating effectively with both the Operations and Maintenance teams during shift. Developing awareness of the isolation requirement by liaising with the Site Operations Engineer and Maintenance staff.