GEF

Unit 3  |  Primary Sustainability Issues 73 CAREER FOCUS: SOLAR POWER PLANT OPERATOR Education: Power plant operators need a combination of education, on-the-job training, and experience. Strong mechanical, technical, and computer skills are needed to operate a power plant. Certification by the North American Energy Reliability Corporation (NERC) is necessary for positions that could affect the power grid. Median Salary (2015): $71,070. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), power plant operators monitor power generation and distribution from control rooms at power plants. They are responsible for monitoring equipment and regulating output so that the proper amount of electricity is generated to meet demand. They go on rounds through the plant to check that everything is operating correctly, keeping records of switching operations and loads on generators, lines, and transformers. Because of security concerns, many power plant operators are subject to background investigations and must have a clean criminal record. They must also be willing to submit to random drug testing. Typical job duties include: ■■ Monitoring solar arrays and generators. ■■ Regulating output from generators. ■■ Monitoring instruments to maintain voltage and regulate electricity flows. ■■ Communicating with distribution centers. ■■ Recording and reporting unusual incidents, malfunctioning equipment, and maintenance procedures. For more information on this and other careers in Sustainability, go to bls.gov/oco/.

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