Temporary Power Plant Apprentice

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By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

Under direct supervision, operate, maintain, or repair equipment in one of the following areas: demonstrated ability in maintenance of electrical, mechanical, or instrumentation/control equipment or ability to operate power plant equipment and assist with executing work plans.

Job Description:

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

The Power Plant Apprentice is an entry-level position for candidates to demonstrate an aptitude for performing duties of one or more Power Plant Crafts.

Under direct supervision the following is required for apprenticeship competency of the OPERATIONS craft:

• Reads meters and records data at specified intervals in appropriate logs and computers.
  
• Immediately reports malfunctioning equipment of abnormal meter readings/equipment performance to the supervisor.
  
• Implements some limited plant operating procedures.
  
• Assists other operations employees on shift to insure successful start-up, operation, and shutdown of units.
  

Under direct supervision the following is required for apprenticeship competency of the MECHANICAL craft:

• Assists with installing, repairing and maintaining structural or mechanical equipment at the plant including, turbines; pumps; piping systems; boilers; cooling towers; condensers; scrubber; pressure vessels; and all other associated systems and equipment to maintain efficient plant production of electrical energy.
  
• Provide assistance with routine preventative maintenance on all assigned machinery and equipment and check equipment for wear and possible down time to prevent major problems and emergency shutdowns.
  
• May assist in operation of machines such as drill press; grinders and power saws in repairing; rebuilding and maintaining power plant machinery and equipment.
  

Under direct supervision the following is required for apprenticeship competency of the ELECTRICAL craft:

• Assist in maintenance and calibrating electrical equipment such as circuit breakers, main generator, voltage regulator, exciter, protection circuits and relays, in plant transformers, bushings, transfer switches, and other electrical devices.
  
• Assist with preventive maintenance to insure continuity of electrical service.
  
• Assist with installation of wire and cable.
  

Under direct supervision the following is required for apprenticeship competency of the INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL craft:

• Assist with installing, calibrating, testing, and maintaining protective circuits, computers, metering, monitoring, and control systems on boilers, turbines, generators, and plant auxiliary equipment.
  
• Assist with removing, dismantling; cleaning; maintaining; and assembling instruments.
  
• Assist with the execution of best practices determined by others to repair equipment.
  

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of lock out/tag out procedures for removing equipment from service for maintenance.
  
• Knowledge of proper methods and procedures used in cleaning work area and equipment.
  
• Knowledge of safety rules.
  
• Ability to make simple gauge readings.
  
• Skill in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with other City employees and the public.
  
• Skill in performing basic mathematical calculations.
  
• Ability to work in extreme environments. (Hot or Cold)
  
• Ability to climb ladders and work in a noisy environment.
  
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
  
• Ability to wear a respirator where work environment requires.
  
• Ability to work 12 hour rotating shifts if work assignment requires.
  
• Ability to sit in front of a computer control console for a 12 hour shift if work assignment requires.
  
• Ability to use various hand and power tools.
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

None.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Trade School training and/or certification
• Experience in an industrial or mechanical field.
• Experience with hand and power tools.
• Knowledge of safety practices in the workplace, including confined space entry, ladder climbing, and hazardous chemicals.
• Knowledge of basic electricity.
• Basic computer and math skills

Notes to Candidate:

This is an entry level position in power plant operations
Under direct supervision, operate, maintain, and repair power plant equipment.
Decker Creek Power Station Operations is responsible for but not limited to the following.

• Starting and stopping electric generation units.
• Taking plant equipment reading.
• Working with the maintenance department as directed.
• Performing scheduled maintenance on plant equipment.
• Operate plant equipment to maintain compliance with all environmental permits and regulatory entities.
• Perform safe isolation of equipment in accordance with the plant lock out tag out process.
• Ability to work 12 hour rotating shifts if work assignment requires.
• Working in potentially hazardous environments that include natural gas, water treatment chemicals, and high voltage electricity.
• Ability to work in extreme environments. (hot and cold)
• Ability to climb ladders and work in noisy environments.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to wear a respirator where work environment requires.

Schedule: Monday through Friday 7am to 3:30 pm with the possibility of working a 12 hour 7 on 7 off shift when required.

Location: Decker Creek Power Station, 8003 Decker Lane, Austin, TX 78724

Pay Range: $24.40 (min) to $28.42 (mid)

Critical:

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
  
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
  
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
  
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on application.
  
• When completing the City of Austin employment application, the work experience listed must include a month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number.
  
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
  
• Statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
  
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
  

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution
  
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
  
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.
  

Assessments:

Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

Candidates selected for interview(s) may be required to complete an assessment(s) approved by Municipal Civil Service process, Rule 4.

Important Note to Applicants:
Please be aware that the Job Posting Close Date reflects the final day to apply, but the posting will close at 11:59 PM the day before the date listed. All application steps, including attachments and submission, must be fully completed before that time.

We also recommend that you save or print a copy of the job posting for your records. Once a posting has closed, it will no longer be viewable in the system

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-04-28

• 

• City of Austin

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