Will “Powerhouse Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Powerhouse 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 “Powerhouse Operator”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
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Microsoft Office
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Graphics software
Data entry software
Building management system software
Microsoft Excel
Statistical software
Spreadsheet software
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