According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations. | 94% |
| Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems. | 94% |
| Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels. | 91% |
| 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. | 90% |
| Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment. | 90% |
| 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. | 90% |
| Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary. | 86% |
| Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units. | 86% |
| Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies. | 86% |
| Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status. | 85% |
| Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers. | 84% |
| Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals. | 83% |
| Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports. | 83% |
| Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration. | 82% |
| 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. | 82% |
| Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) or related equipment, such as air separation units, to generate electricity from coal. | 80% |
| Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment, including fuel cells or microturbines, to produce energy on-site for manufacturing or other commercial purposes. | 80% |
| Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices. | 79% |
| Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system. | 79% |
| Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints. | 75% |
| Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies. | 72% |
| Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis. | 72% |
