Power Operations - Apprentice / Co-Op

Calpine Corporation is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with operations in competitive power markets. Its fleet of 77 power plants in operation represents over 27,000 megawatts of generation capacity. Through wholesale power operations and its retail businesses, Calpine serves customers in 22 states and Canada. Its clean, efficient, modern and flexible fleet uses advanced technologies to generate power in a low-carbon and environmentally responsible manner.

The company was established on the premise that a strong commitment to the environment is inextricably linked to excellence in power generation and corporate responsibility. Since its founding in 1984, Calpine has led the power industry in its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition, its renewable geothermal plants use steam generated deep below the earth's surface to produce clean, renewable electricity.

Job Summary (includes but is not limited to the following, other duties may be assigned)

This supervised position will allow for a student who is seeking a career in the Power Industry to continue working through the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Process Technology (a 60-hour program) along with 14 months on the job training in Operations or Maintenance with one of Calpine's Plant locations will gain practical operations knowledge. This position will require the individual to work a normal day shift as well as rotating shift when required.

Apprentice / Co Op will be expected over the 14-month period to demonstrate knowledge in the use of computers and monitoring equipment to measure, record and make adjustments within operating parameters. This position will assist in the operation of plant equipment, starts, and stops pumps and auxiliary equipment, checking and ensuring proper lubrication and cooling on all pumps, motoring, fans compressors, etc. In addition, this position will take and record plant operational data; will assist with inspections of plant equipment for faulty operations and regular checks of fuel (liquid and gas) delivery points; will assist in the operations of manual or automatic fuel systems in firing high pressure boilers and observes conditions of burners, including placing burners in operation and taking burners out of operation, depending upon load requirements.

The Apprentice / Co Op will assist in checking boilers, furnace, and combustion turbines; observe how the Operations Team operates and monitors equipment from central control room to optimize unit performance; will assist in checking the control room interface for proper operation of equipment and reports abnormal conditions and take appropriate action. With guidance, this position will perform the necessary operating, regulating and adjusting duties to maintain proper output of the generating units, proper water flows, pressures, temperatures draft conditions and fuel consumption; assist in maintaining control room logs; assist in the operation of turbine/generator equipment including synchronization of units and assists in the closing and opening of switchyard circuit breakers and associated disconnects per switching orders as well as in making the necessary adjustments to maintain generator voltages and unit power factor.

The Apprentice / Co Op will also have the opportunity to assist with a variety of plant maintenance tasks to include diagnosis, maintenance, and repair of mechanical and electrical equipment in a safe, efficient and economical manner; assisting with overhaul maintenance and system improvement tasks, with chemical analysis and chemical control on steam, cooling and condensate systems, and maintain chemistry logs. This position will be responsible for compliance with all local, State and Federal regulations and plant procedures.

Job Responsibilities

• Practical operating knowledge to perform job.
• Performs standardized, ongoing duties and tasks.
• Routine decisions.
• With guidance, ensures timely and accurate performance of responsibilities for a single trade, group of closely related tasks or functional area.
• Work typically reviewed by others; work reflects developing competency and basic skills.
• Errors may cause simple rework or correction to single task.
• Duties and tasks are standardized.
• Resolves routine questions and problems and refers more complex issues to higher levels.
• Works under direct supervision and/or defined parameters.
• Prioritizes basic tasks; priorities typically guided by standard practices or by others.

Job Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Entry level/apprentice; requires 0-2 years directly related experience.
• Currently enrolled in 60-hour Associates of Applied Science in Process Technology. GPA 3.0 or higher
• Mechanical aptitude and basic understanding of chemistry, physics, electricity, and mathematics.
• Begins to achieve primary certifications/licensures.

Additional Calpine Information

Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.

• Calpine is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply for a position, please send an e-mail with your request to hrrecruitment@calpine.com. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on case-by-case basis.

Please view Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here