Will “Power Station Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Power Station Operator” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #529 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment, such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-8021.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 61,410.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 29.00
Currently, there are 33,720 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Power Station Operator”

Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
Investigate and report on accidents.
Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, compressors, and air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.

Related Technology & Tools

Layout squares
Phillips head screwdrivers
Hand pipe threaders
Ladders
Straight screwdrivers
Grapple cranes
Programmable logic controllers PLC
Self-contained breathing apparatus
Pressure gauges
Colorimeters
Protective ear plugs
Sling psychrometers
Power drills
Manifold test gauges
Descalers
Precision levels
Amp meters
Micrometers
Digital multimeters
Socket wrench sets
Adjustable wrenches
Bourdon tubes
Drill presses
Opacity meters
Bench lathes
Voltmeters
Locking pliers
Combustion analyzers
Grease guns
Ratchets
Dropping pipettes
Electric drain augers
Thermocouples
Oil guns
Shielded arc welding tools
Pipe cutters
Electronic remote reading thermometers
Sandblasters
Pipe wrenches
Two way radios
Industrial platform scales
Power meters
Hydraulic boom trucks
Infrared guns
Electronic temperature sensors
Pneumatic pumps
Graduated glass cylinders
Pressure transmitters
Metal cutting dies
Scaffolding
Claw hammers
Hydraulic press frames
Rotary hammers
Metal cutting taps
Power saws
Conductivity meters
Safety gloves
Turbidimeters
Hydrometers
Tapping machines
Steam cleaning equipment
Ohmmeters
Water column gauges
Filter masks
Safety glasses
Equipment cleaning scrapers
Forklifts
pH indicators
Dial calipers
Personal computers
Dial indicators
Gas brazing equipment
Oxyacetylene welding equipment

Web browser software
Data entry software
Microsoft Office
Spreadsheet software
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Statistical software
Email software
Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
Microsoft Excel
Database software
Graphics software
Building management system software