Combustion Turbine Technician and Combined Cycle Operation Technician Training Program

If you are a journeyman industrial electrician, instrument mechanic, or a high-pressure and high-temperature power plant control room operator, you may be qualified for this training program. The program leads to the position of combustion turbine technician and combined cycle operation technician.

The training program consists of a combination of classroom and on-the-job training. Trainees are required to be prepared for class, including homework assignments, out-of-class readings, pop quizzes, written exams, and oral exams. In addition, trainees are required to exhibit skills through the use of qualification cards. Trainees are required to maintain equipment, tools, and the work site in a clean, safe, and orderly manner. They must become accredited to perform switching and tagging duties and may be temporarily assigned to other work locations. Travel to other sites will be required.

Upon successful completion of the training, the employee becomes either a combustion turbine technician or a combined cycle operations technician who is responsible for starting up and shutting down plant equipment from the control room, monitoring and operating plant equipment, and responding to plant upset events and emergencies; taking and recording all necessary equipment and instrumentation readings and data; and manually and remotely operating valves and equipment. Both combustion turbine technicians and combined cycle operations technicians are responsible for performing predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance. They work as part of a composite crew to perform overhaul maintenance.

This position involves shift work, overtime, callouts, outage work, and weekend and holiday work. Trainees may be required to work overtime, holidays, and weekends as required by TVA.

Working conditions include heat, cold, dampness, dirt, oil, and noise. Temperatures range from zero to 120 degrees Fahrenheit; ambient temperatures in some areas may exceed 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Employees may be exposed to high noise levels; however, under properly worn hearing protection, exposure will not exceed 85 dBA. Employees will be included in the agency hearing conservation program.

Physical requirements include lifting 40 to 75 pounds, sitting, walking, bending, squatting, crawling, stooping, climbing, kneeling, twisting, standing, pushing, pulling, etc. Work may be performed around rotating equipment and highly energized and/or pressurized systems on concrete flooring, steel decking, limestone, gravel, and/or open grating (some heights may exceed 75 feet) on steep inclines, slippery surfaces and in confined spaces.

Salary

Current pay for the training program is as follows:

• Combustion Turbine or Combined Cycle Trainee: $107,650
  
• Combustion Turbine or Combined Cycle Technician:  $112,495
  

Starting salary is $107,650. Upon successful completion of training, the employee is promoted to a Combustion Turbine Technician or a Combustion Cycle Operations Technician. The starting salary for these positions is $112,495.

Eligibility Factors

In order to be considered for this training program, a candidate must meet the following eligibility factors:

• High school graduate or equivalent
• Two-year technical degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited educational institute
• Must be an industrial maintenance electrician or instrument mechanic who has completed senior instrument mechanic training or equivalent or a unit operator who has successfully completed Unit Operator to Issue clearance training.
• Required to be recognized as an accredited high-pressure, high-temperature steam power plant operator or a qualified combined cycle plant control room operator.
• Must demonstrate: Leadership, accountability, self-motivation, ability to make decisions, good written and oral communication skills, and ability to work independently and as a team member.

Candidates who meet the eligibility factors for this position and who follow the process of applying may be asked to take a pre-qualifying test that predicts performance in training and on the job. Candidates must pass this test to be considered for an interview. Read more information about the testing process.

EEO Statement

TVA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws and regulations regarding equal employment opportunities. Any applicant or employee who believes s/he has a discrimination claim (including harassment or retaliation) must contact TVA’s equal opportunity compliance office within 45 calendar days of the event or action s/he believes to constitute discrimination, harassment or retaliation.

Non-U.S. residents should read TVA's citizenship policy.

Individuals interested in claiming veterans’ preference should read the information for claiming veterans’ preference.