Biomass Plant Technicians Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Biomass Plant Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Biomass Plant Technicians are to watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions, operate energy distribution equipment, operate energy production equipment, adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids. In general, for the Biomass Plant Technicians, operation Monitoring, critical Thinking, operation and Control, speaking and other 10 skills are required.

Biomass Plant Technicians Job Description
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Biomass Plant Technicians jobs. 73.67% of Biomass Plant Technicians have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 20.94% of Biomass Plant Technicians have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

0.00%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

73.67%

Post-Secondary Certificate

20.94%

Some College Courses

1.62%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

3.40%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

0.37%

Tasks and Work Activities of Biomass Plant Technicians

Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems.
Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations.
Control power generating equipment, including boilers, turbines, generators, or reactors, using control boards or semi-automatic equipment.
Regulate equipment operations and conditions, such as water levels, based on instrument data or from computers.
Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals.
Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary.
Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant personnel to assess equipment operating status.
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.
Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment, such as generators, turbines, pumps, or compressors, to prevent failure or deterioration.
Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies.
Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports.
Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units.
Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis.
Make adjustments or minor repairs, such as tightening leaking gland or pipe joints.
Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels.
Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system.
Receive outage calls and request necessary personnel during power outages or emergencies.
Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices.
Replenish electrolytes in batteries and oil in voltage transformers, and reset tripped electric relays.
Inspect thermal barrier coatings on integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) equipment for sintering, phase destabilization, or temperature variances to ensure compliance with standards and insulation efficiency.

Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
Operate energy distribution equipment.
Operate energy production equipment.
Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
Operate pumping systems or equipment.
Exchange information with colleagues.
Lubricate production equipment.
Maintain production or processing equipment.
Clean production equipment.
Record operational or production data.
Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
Repair production equipment or tools.
Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning.
Monitor lubrication of equipment or workpieces.
Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Inspect sustainable energy production facilities or equipment.
Maintain sustainable energy production equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Biomass Plant Technicians

Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Auditory AttentionThe ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Time SharingThe ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.

Absorbent boomse.g. Absorbers
Facial shieldse.g. Air filtration mask
Process air heaterse.g. Air heaters
Graphic recorderse.g. Analog panel meters
Alarm systemse.g. Annunciators
Process air heaterse.g. Attemperators
Belt conveyorse.g. Belt conveyors
Blowerse.g. Blowers
Sight flow windowse.g. Boiler gauge glasses
Brushless motor DCe.g. Brushless direct current DC motors
Bucket conveyorse.g. Bucket elevators
Catalytic combustion analyzerse.g. Catalytic sensors
Chain conveyorse.g. Chain conveyors
Water tube boilere.g. Circulating fluidized bed CFB boilers
Air dryerse.g. Coal dryers
Gas enginese.g. Combustion engines
Turbine enginese.g. Combustion turbines
Condensing unitse.g. Condensers
Conductivity meterse.g. Conductivity probes
Electrical control panels for generatorse.g. Control boards

MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Biomass Plant Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Biomass Plant Technicians

Skills and Abilities for Biomass Plant Technicians