Remote Fleet Operator, RFO Sr - RFO Sr. Lead

Remote Fleet Operator, RFO Sr - RFO Sr. Lead

At Entergy, we've been planning for the future for more than 100 years. We've experienced a lot of change, generating power first from sawdust to splitting atoms, harnessing sunlight, and using abundant, clean, and efficient natural gas. We are leading the clean energy transformation for the utility industry and continue to explore alternative technologies. We are on the verge of a monumental technology convergence, where reality swiftly catches up to possibility. The utility of the future does much more than keep the lights on and the gas flowing. It's knowledgeable and skillful workforce will solve challenges and fuel a brighter, smarter, cleaner, and more prosperous future for everyone. Having the lowest retail electricity rates of any utility in the United States drives economic growth within Entergy's region, a key ingredient to sustained growth for any utility. We also believe a diverse workforce committed to personal and professional growth is critical to our success. We place a high priority on developing talent to meet current and future needs, giving employees opportunities to grow their careers their way. We've committed over the next three decades to reduce our carbon emissions from our operations to net-zero by 2050.

Entergy's Power Generation group operates a fleet of more than 30 owned, leased, or operated natural gas, coal, oil, hydro and solar plants, with a total engineering capacity exceeding 20,000 megawatts. Entergy continues to build or acquire megawatts from new hydrogen capable natural gas units, solar, wind and other technologies to complement its existing megawatts of nuclear, natural gas, coal, oil, hydroelectric, and solar facilities.

Job Summary/Purpose

The RFO is part of a team that centrally monitors Entergy's regulated Power Generation resources' fleet-wide performance, maintenance, and operations in a "co-location" workspace with the SPO's EMO generation dispatcher and performance/equipment health monitoring groups. The RFO will operate and maintain systems associated with various fleet assets such as Combustion Turbine Generator (CTG), Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE) and renewables facilities while demonstrating safety awareness that will continuously improve performance through the use and strict adherence to procedures and processes. As the new fleet of CCCT's grows, the RFO will complement the plant commissioning teams to help and gain experience on the Mitsubishi JAC and STG machines. This position is also responsible for supporting the Asset Strategy & Operations leadership team, providing fleet operational support, and, predictive and preventative maintenance, through a defined set of Entergy software applications supporting the ROCC. Fleet performance monitoring will be included in the routine responsibilities working with the on-site PMAC employees. Collaboration and real-time engagement with the EMO generation dispatch operators is an everyday activity. This role will work closely with other support team members, external vendors, and relevant project teams to manage all issues related to the applications supporting the ROCC.

Operational Duties / Responsibilities (During Operating Shift Cycle)

Work an assigned shift in the ROCC as part of 24x7 coverage to monitor & operate multiple fleet assets. Periodic travel to new build sites to assist in commissioning activities. Collaborates with other groups within the ROCC, including co-location regulatory compliance requirements working with EMO and PMAC. Monitors fleet assets including those that are not being controlled remotely from the ROCC. Maintain regulatory compliance and be proactive in supporting responses to all agencies audits to avoid reportable violations. Facilitate and participate in job briefings, shift-turn overs, and safety meetings. Be responsible for NERC/CIP compliance associated with Asset Strategy & Operations functions. Applies understanding and knowledge of plant systems, renewables, turbine controls, data acquisition, process controls, regulating devices, troubleshooting, etc. Operational duties include, but not limited to, operating/monitoring the control board for multiple technologies, maintain PlantView logs, performing PM/PDM analytics, CEMS monitoring. Promotes and ensures a safe work environment, including use of Human Performance tools. Operates with a continuous improvement and commercial mindset while prioritizing safety and asset protection over production. Mentors and provides training to develop other remote operators in the operations training progression plan. Performs startup and shutdown functions of turbine, generator and associated equipment as required per instructions from the EMO, LBA & MISO. Works with (EMO) and plant staff to maximize plant production, scheduling unit testing, scheduling planned outages, communicate operational issues and outage return to service. Develops procedures, checklists, and performance measures to monitor process controls to ensure that all operations and regulatory requirements are fulfilled. Develops, implements, and maintains a high standard of performance using operational procedures, operations rounds/trending, shift turnover, protection system functionality etc. Complies with system critical conditions, suspending testing, maintenance, surveillance, equipment swaps and other activities upon issuance of conservative operations or max generation notices from the ISO, LBA, or TCC. Able to make real-time decisions and provides work direction regarding the operation of equipment in a safe, efficient, and reliable manner.

Fleet Monitoring Duties / Responsibilities (During Relief Shift Cycle)

Cover 'on-shift" vacancies (vacation, call-ins, etc..) as needed on a case-by-case basis. Periodic travel to remotely operated sites for training opportunities & face-to-face personnel interaction as needed. Participate in simulator training (S/U, S/D & abnormal conditions) for remotely operated plants. Review and assess plant equipment condition using Advanced Pattern Recognition software. Create, tune, and implement APR models utilizing APR software. Monitor equipment performance and operational trends utilizing the suite of tools offered by PMAC in order to predict component health and deviation from operational standards. Triage developing issues to appropriate plant/engineering contacts and advise course of action, alerting corporate SME's and station personnel of anomalies which could adversely affect the reliability, availability, maintainability and performance of equipment. Track problems and issues to resolution, including participation in root cause analysis process. Provide real time guidance to Entergy dispatch group to optimize unit commitments and operation throughout the fleet. Routinely review the Tier 1 and Tier 2 instrument lists and assist the plants to resolve issues related to those lists. Drive the alarm management program to minimize nuisance alarms for remotely operated sites. Prepare and provide routine reports on unit performance and equipment condition to plants and management. Assist in the identification, evaluation and implementation of new processes or technology in support of Power Generation key initiatives, such as fuel efficiency, enhanced monitoring, and remote unit operation. Work with reliability analysts/engineers to capture and quantify avoided costs to express the value of the team's activities. Embraces and supports human performance improvement initiative as it relates to shared understanding of excellence, personal-joint accountability, feedback-coaching exchange, etc.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum education required of the position: High School, college, or technical school graduate. Training in power plant operations, power plant systems and power plant performance or corresponding technical degree from an accredited school Experience required of the position: The candidate should have relevant control room operational experience in drum type, supercritical, combined cycle combustion turbine (CCCT). Should be recognized system wide as knowledgeable in power plant operations. Candidates will be evaluated based on years of relative industry and demonstrated technical experience. CCCT experience is preferred for this position . RFO Sr. Minimum 5 6 years' experience in operations across multiple technologies. RFO Sr. Lead: Minimum 7 8 years' experience in operations across multiple technologies that includes leadership or supervisory roles. Minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the position: Extensive knowledge of power plant operating and maintenance practices, equipment maintenance strategies, lock out/tag out or Tagging Procedure and other safety procedures. Knowledge of power plant DCS, control logic and control philosophy. Demonstrated ability to communicate and work effectively with internal support groups, contractors, and outside agencies. Demonstrated ability to actively engage other plant personnel to strive for operational excellence. Proven analytical and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication skills and ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization. Ability to address complex problems using creative solutions quickly and accurately. Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross functionally with other operational groups in a real-time operational environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Primary Location: Texas - The Woodlands Texas : The Woodlands Job Function : Corporate FLSA Status : Professional Relocation Option: Level II Union description/code : NON BARGAINING UNIT Number of Openings : 1 Req ID: 123157 Travel Percentage : Up to 25% An Equal Opportunity Employer, Minority/Female/Disability/Vets. EEO Statement: The Entergy System of Companies provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Entergy System of Companies complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. The Entergy System of Companies expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race,