National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011
9 - Occupations in manufacturing and utilities
92 - Processing, manufacturing and utilities supervisors and central control operators
924 - Utilities equipment operators and controllers
9241 - Power engineers and power systems operators
Power engineers operate and maintain reactors, turbines, boilers, generators, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment to generate electrical power and to provide heat, light, refrigeration and other utility services for commercial, industrial and institutional buildings and other work sites. Power systems operators monitor and operate switchboards and related equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution of electrical power in transmission networks. They are employed by power generation plants, electrical power utilities, manufacturing plants, hospitals, universities and government and commercial establishments.
Illustrative example(s)
- apprentice power dispatcher
- auxiliary plant operator
- building systems technician
- control room operator - electrical power systems
- distribution control operator - electrical power systems
- electrical power systems operator
- energy from waste plant operator
- load dispatcher apprentice - electrical power systems
- nuclear generating station field operator
- nuclear reactor operator - electrical power systems
- power dispatcher - generating station
- power engineer
- power plant operator
- power plant stationary engineer
- stationary engineer
- system controller - electrical power systems
Exclusion(s)
- Nuclear power station equipment mechanics (See 7311 Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics)
- Professional engineers (See 213 Civil, mechanical, electrical and chemical engineers) (See 214 Other engineers)
- Supervisors of stationary engineers and auxiliary equipment operators (See 9212 Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities)
Main duties
Power engineers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate automated or computerized control systems, stationary engines and auxiliary equipment such as reactors, boilers, turbines, generators, pumps, compressors, pollution control devices and other equipment to generate electrical power and to provide light, heat, ventilation and refrigeration for buildings, industrial plants and other work sites
- Start up and shut down power plant equipment, control switching operations, regulate water levels and communicate with systems operators to regulate and co-ordinate transmission loads, frequency and line voltages
- Monitor and inspect plant equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, meters and other instruments to measure temperature, pressure and fuel flow, to detect leaks or other equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant equipment is operating at maximum efficiency
- Analyze and record instrument readings and equipment malfunctions
- Troubleshoot and perform corrective action and minor repairs to prevent equipment or system failure
- Clean and lubricate generators, turbines, pumps and compressors and perform other routine equipment maintenance duties using appropriate lubricants and hand, power and precision tools
- Maintain a daily log of operation, maintenance and safety activities, and write reports on plant operation
- May assist in the development of operation, maintenance and safety procedures.
Power systems operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate and monitor computerized switchboards and auxiliary equipment in electrical control centres to control the distribution and to regulate the flow of electrical power in the transmission network
- Co-ordinate, schedule and direct generating station and substation power loads and line voltages to meet distribution demands during daily operations, system outages, repairs and importing or exporting of power
- Monitor and visually inspect station instruments, meters and alarms to ensure transmission voltages and line loadings are within prescribed limits and to detect equipment failure, line disturbances and outages
- Issue work and test permits to electrical and mechanical maintenance personnel, assist maintenance and technical personnel to locate and isolate system problems, and assist during routine system testing
- Complete and maintain station records, logs and reports.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Power engineers require a college training program in stationary or power engineering and several years of work experience in the field.
- Power engineers require a provincial or territorial power engineering or stationary engineering certificate according to class.
- Stationary engineer trade certification according to class (4th, 3rd, 2nd or 1st class) is compulsory in Nova Scotia and Quebec and available, but voluntary in New Brunswick.
- Power systems operators require completion of a three- to five-year power system operator apprenticeship program
or
Over three years of work experience in the trade and some college or industry courses in electrical and electronic technology. - Trade certification is available, but voluntary for power system operators in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Control room operators at nuclear power plants require licensing from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.
Additional information
- There is little mobility between nuclear power generation station operators and other classic or alternative power generation station operators.
- Progression from lower to higher classes for stationary or power engineers is dependent on further training and experience.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
9243 - Water and waste treatment plant operators
Water treatment plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water. Liquid waste plant operators monitor and operate computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the treatment and disposal of sewage and wastes. They are employed by municipal governments and industrial facilities. This unit group also includes waste treatment plant operators in composting plants and other waste management facilities.
Illustrative example(s)
- environmental systems operator - water treatment
- operator, water purification plant
- process operator, liquid waste
- sewage plant operator
- waste treatment plant operator
- wastewater treatment plant operator
- water filtration plant operator
- water treatment plant operator
Exclusion(s)
- Chemical engineers (2134)
- Chemical technologists and technicians (2211)
- Supervisors, petroleum, gas and chemical processing and utilities (9212)
- Water and waste plant labourers (See 9613 Labourers in chemical products processing and utilities)
- Waterworks and gas maintenance workers (7442)
Main duties
Water treatment plant operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in water filtration and treatment plants to regulate the treatment and distribution of water
- Monitor and inspect plant equipment and systems to detect equipment malfunctions and to ensure plant systems are operating normally
- Read flow meters, gauges and other recording instruments to measure water output and consumption levels, bacterial content, chlorine and fluoride levels
- Collect and test water samples for chemical and bacterial content, analyze test results and instrument readings and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems to ensure quality control
- Provide verbal or written instructions for process control changes to waterworks system to ensure water produced meets standardized quality requirements
- Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
- Respond to public enquiries regarding water quality issues and emergencies
- Complete and maintain plant logs, reports and statistics
- May perform minor maintenance or assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery
- May measure, mix and transport chemicals to maintain feed stocks.
Liquid waste plant operators perform some or all of the following duties:
- Operate and monitor computerized control systems and related equipment in wastewater treatment, sewage treatment and liquid waste plants to regulate the flow of sewage through settling, aeration and digestion tanks, and to treat and dispose of sewage and wastes
- Patrol plant to check pumps, motors, filters, chlorinators and other plant equipment; monitor and read gauges, meters and other recording instruments to detect equipment malfunctions and ensure plant systems and equipment are operating within prescribed limits
- Test and adjust chemical feed rates to ensure that disinfection processes meet quality standards
- Collect waste and sewage samples, test and analyze results and make adjustments to plant equipment and systems as required
- Perform security checks in plant and on grounds
- Complete and maintain plant logs and reports
- Perform preventive maintenance on plant equipment to ensure that the facility operates in accordance with required standards
- May assist skilled tradespersons with installation and repair of plant machinery.
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is required.
- College or industry training courses in chemistry, pollution control or related subjects are required.
- Certification in water treatment and distribution (Levels I, II, III or IV depending on the certification level of the plant) is required for water treatment plant operators.
- Certification in wastewater collection and wastewater treatment (Level I, II, III or IV depending certification level of the plant) is required for wastewater treatment plant operators.
- Solid waste, landfill or compost facility operator certification may be required for operators in waste treatment plants.
- Certification in workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS), transportation of dangerous goods (TDG), and courses in safety practices may be required.
- On-the-job training is provided.
- Previous experience as a worker in the water treatment or wastewater field may be required.
Additional information
- There is limited mobility between water treatment plant and waste plant operators.
- Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
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