Centrally located in the heart of Iowa, Ames is a vibrant, progressive community with more than 66,000 residents providing an excellent quality of life. Home to Iowa State University, Ames offers year-round recreation opportunities, diverse cultural offerings, a stable economy, safe neighborhoods, and a high-achieving school district.
The City of Ames Electric Services Department has an exciting opportunity for a Power Plant Auxiliary Operator to provide support to the City's power generating facilities!
The Power Plant Auxiliary Operator performs work related to the operation and care of power plant equipment and performs related work as required.
The City of Ames offers a comprehensive benefits package for employees. Our comprehensive benefits package can be viewed at: City of Ames Benefits
This is a full-time position, with rotating 12-hour shifts. Selected candidate should expect to be scheduled on a rotation between night shifts, day shifts and every other weekend shifts. Overtime is expected at different times in order to cover emergencies and/or in situations relief capacity is not available.
The City of Ames is conducting a recruitment to establish a Civil Service eligibility list for this classification. The list will be valid for up to one year from the date of certification by the Ames Civil Service Commission and may be used to fill one or more vacancies in this classification. In addition, City of Ames Civil Service employees who have previously held Civil Service status in this classification and are interested in voluntarily demoting or laterally transferring into the current vacancy must submit their application by the deadline.
Candidates passing the evaluation of education and experience (minimum and/or preferred qualifications) will be invited to participate in a written exam which is expected to be held at 5:30 p.m. CT on November 5th, 2024, in the City of Ames.(Remote proctoring may be available for out of state candidates)
Examples of Essential Job Functions
Examples of Essential Job Functions: Assists Plant Operator and Fireworker in the operation and inspection of such equipment as boiler feed pumps, circulating water pumps, condensate pumps, fans, feed water heaters, steam turbines and generators, and combustion turbines and generators; operates and inspects auxiliary equipment such as water pumps, air compressors, oil pumps and other plant auxiliary equipment; performs routine inspections of the above equipment; observes pressures and temperatures of the turbine and other equipment and keeps such records; routinely performs water chemistry testing and chemical additions to correctly maintain boiler water, condensate, cooling tower water, makeup water, softner water, demineralized water, and steam; operates boiler bottom ash removal equipment and fly ash removal equipment; operates feeders and related equipment of the refuse derived fuel handling system; operates light vehicle to travel to remote locations for inspections and equipment readings; records data relating to auxiliary equipment of the power generating system. Performs general maintenance duties as required; lubricates auxiliary equipment.
Each employee is expected to continually strive to bring shared values to life through our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement; inspiring creativity and innovation; being customer driven; making data-driven decisions; committing to diversity, equity and inclusion; championing employee involvement; striving for excellence; having fiscal stewardship; acting with honesty and integrity; exhibiting leadership; choosing a positive attitude; respecting one another; promoting safety and wellness; and cultivating teamwork. For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that brings these values to life. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.
Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Required: High school diploma, HiSet, or G.E.D.
Preferred: -Courses in steam and mechanical fundamentals of power plants. -Power plant experience. -Water chemistry testing experience. -Mechanical maintenance experience. -Work experience and/or education relating to steam power, mechanical fundamentals of power plants, mechanical work or related area.
Licenses and Certificates: Must possess a valid driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the principles, methods, procedures, and practices used in the safe operation of the electrical power generation plant; knowledge of the machinery and equipment used in electrical power generation; knowledge of water chemistry and testing as it applies to an electrical power generation plant; knowledge of all safety rules as stated in the adopted safety manual.
Skill in the use of common hand and power tools; skill in the maintenance of simple records; skill in the application of safety practices and procedures.
Ability to recognize an emergency condition and react quickly; ability to make minor repairs to power plant equipment; ability to work safely with and around mechanical equipment; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to operate light vehicle; ability to work effectively with co-workers.
Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.
General Physical Characteristics: The work involves sitting 25 percent of the time; sitting and using arm/leg controls 5 percent of the time; standing (but not walking) 35 percent of the time; standing and walking 35 percent of the time; frequently lifting objects under 10 pounds; routinely lifting objects from 10 to 25 pounds; occasionally lifting objects from 25 to 50 pounds; and infrequently lifting objects over 50 pounds.
Vision Requirements: The minimum standard for use with those whose work deals largely with preparing and analyzing data and figures, accounting, transcription, computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection, and operation of machines (including inspection).
Environmental Conditions: The work is performed inside and/or outside and includes being exposed to extreme heat, noise, vibration, mechanical hazards, chemical hazards, atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system or skin, oils, requirement of wearing a respirator, elevated surfaces up to 210 feet, elevated grating, working from lifts, confined spaces, and darkness or poor lighting conditions.
Selection Process: The selection process consists of an evaluation of education and experience, written exam, phone interview, on-site interview, and completion of a criminal background check, which includes a sex offender registry check and motor vehicle records check, and pre-employment physical. All candidates will be notified by email of their application status.
Candidates passing the evaluation of education and experience (minimum and/or preferred qualifications) will be invited to participate in a written exam which is expected to be held at 5:30 p.m. CT on November 5th, 2024, in the City of Ames. (Remote proctoring may be available for out of state candidates)
Preference may be given to applicants possessing qualifications above the minimum.
Depending on the number of qualified candidates the hiring department may forego phone interviews.
Veteran’s Preference Points The City of Ames provides Veteran's Preference Points for Civil Service positions. A copy of your DD214 and, if applicable, proof of disability, must be attached with your application (or faxed to 515-239-5297) prior to the close date of the posting in order to receive Veteran's Preference Points.
Residency Requirement: The required residence area is the area bordered by the Boone and Story County lines on the north and south, State Highway 65 on the east; and on the west, County Road R27 north of Boone, and the Des Moines River south of Highway 30 to the Boone County line. Communities interesected by the borderlines, and Zearing, shall be considered within the area. The permitted residency area is that area inside the borderlines. The area adjacent to but outside the borderlines is not included. After completing his/her probationary period, a new employee shall, within three (3) months, reside within the residency area. The department head may allow an employee up to an additional three (3) months if the employee provides documentation of financial commitment to move within the residence area.
A progressive, innovative government employer, the City of Ames is committed to providing the highest quality public service possible. Our organization is dedicated to hiring and developing City employees who share enthusiasm to serve the citizens of Ames. All employees are important members of the City team, and we do our best to ensure that we hire the best available candidates while promoting equality of opportunity.The City of Ames is a full service organization providing citizens with municipal services including water, electric, sewer, fire, police, public works, parks and recreation. We operate numerous facilities in locations across the city including the Ames Public Library, Ames Municipal Cemetery, Ames Municipal Airport, Furman Aquatic Center, and the Ames/ISU Ice Arena. With a population of more than 65,000, Ames offers cultural, recreational, educational, business, and entertainment amenities more common in bigger metros. As a growing city, Ames continues to focus on building a strong community filled with opportunities for all. There are so many reasons that Ames, Iowa, is the Smart Choice!As a values-based employer, each City of Ames employee is tasked with bringing ...to life our Excellence Through People organizational culture. ETP values include: committing to continuous improvement, inspiring creativity and innovation, being customer driven, making data-driven decisions, championing employee involvement, striving for excellence, having fiscal stewardship, acting with honesty and integrity, exhibiting leadership, choosing a positive attitude, respecting one another, promoting safety and wellness, and cultivating teamwork.For leaders, this includes creating a work culture that allows these values to take root and flourish. For all employees, this includes maintaining a Total City Perspective and working to best serve the citizen, not a department or division. The purpose of ETP is to deliver exceptional services to the public at the best price, and for employees to experience an enjoyable and stimulating work environment.The City of Ames employs more than 550 full-time employees and hundreds of part-time help. We work together to ensure citizens are proud of their local government and their community. With friendly people, beautiful parks, great shopping, progressive schools, exciting cultural and entertainment venues, quality healthcare, and endless recreational opportunities in every season, Ames offers residents an exceptional quality of life.The City provides municipal electric, water, sewer, and storm sewer utilities, public transit, arts programming, public safety, and public works services.