O&M Technician

Job Description:  Operations & Maintenance Technician
Location:             Castlelost Flex Gen, Rochfortbridge, Co Westmeath, Ireland

THE CLIENT

VPI is a preeminent power company, part of the Vitol Group. With responsiveness and ability to act swiftly at its core, as well as breadth of experience that spans operations and trading, we are a system solver for the problems that must be resolved to enable the energy transition.

We are already one of the leading Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) operators in the UK, with assets across five locations capable of generating 3.3GW of power. Our efficient and flexible generation portfolio complements an increased use of renewables as part of the energy system, ensuring security of supply in the power grid.

At the same time, we are striving for decarbonisation. For example, we are part of Humber Zero, a project to decarbonise critical energy intensive industry in the Humber. Humber Zero is a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project on the south bank of the Humber Estuary. The large-scale decarbonisation project will remove up to 8-million tonnes per annum of CO2 at the Immingham industrial site within the next 7 years. This represents a meaningful reduction in national CO2 emissions, while protecting local jobs and supporting the region’s economy.

Finally, we are anticipating the shift to zero-carbon storage technologies that will provide flexibility and stability in the energy system in the long term. We are building our portfolio in these areas, and creating a suite of services to suit corporate and grid needs.

VPI has an ambitious growth agenda. We are growing our portfolio in the UK and abroad. We can see an energy system that is changing rapidly and fundamentally. As a company that holds on to a system wide view and responds at pace, we see opportunity in this complex and fast-changing ecosystem.

THE POSITION

The O&MTech role at Castlelost Flex Gen will a multiskilled technician, reporting to the site O&M Manager, responsible for:

• Supporting the Remote Operations Centre during plant start ups and shutdowns.
• Undertaking normal operational walkdowns and plant readings.
• Carrying out operational supervision of the asset from the Central Control Room including, but not limited to, all plant alarms, environmental limits, and other plant critical operating limits.
• Undertaking operational and maintenance routines.
• Managing operational and maintenance. Planned Maintenance (PM) activities in the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Performing breakdown maintenance on plant assets as required.
• Specifying technical requirements for contracted work, placing purchasing orders for the procurement of such work or materials, review of contractor Risk Assessments & Method Statements (RAMS) and providing on site supervision (QA, H&S, etc) of contractors undertaking works on site.
• Managing of stock holding and reorder of site spares holding.
• Undertaking plant isolations under the VPI Safety Rules in the role of Authorised Person, progressing towards role of Safety Coordinator (safety assessment of work, definition of extent of safety precautions, preparation and issue of Safety Documents).
• Document management (including, but not limited to, retention of service reports, Plant Modification Procedure [PMP], input for assets into the annual Plant Status Review [PSR], review and update of Role & Area Risk Assessments, and drawing revision).

DIMENSIONS

• Input into developing and managing budgets and costs.
• Undertake procurement activities within the Company policies and process, including developing technical specifications.
• Participation in delivery of major and interim inspections and overhauls at Castlelost Flex Gen, managing contracts and contractors in accordance with commercial requirements and statutory obligations
• Deliver hands-on maintenance activities on mechanical and E,C&I equipment
• Maintain interfaces with suppliers, contractors and other parties.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, including written reports.
• There is an expectation for occasional travel to other VPI sites to undertake work activities as the business requires.
• Ability to handle multiple work projects running together as the business need arises.

DESIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The following is essential:

• Computer literacy skills.
• Prior experience in the maintenance of a thermal plant or in large-scale process industry
• HNC/ONC in an engineering discipline and a relevant Apprenticeship, with prior experience in a process industry-based maintenance role or a 2:1 Degree in an Engineering discipline.

The following are desirable:

• Demonstration of team working skills.
• IOSH Entry Level Qualification to Managing Safely.
• Knowledge of budgets and contract management
• Knowledge and experience of the principles of working safely and health, safety and environmental legislation.
• Focused on achieving results and keen to develop skills
• Self motivated with a flexible approach.
• Ability to support other disciplines with work planning and plant diagnostics.
• Willing and able to work occasional planned and unplanned overtime, including unsociable hours, as well as supporting an informal call out rota.
• Occasional travel to other VPI sites, suppliers and training providers etc (limited but possible, occasional travel abroad)

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Apprenticeship trained in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Educated to HNC standard or equivalent qualifications and experience
• Experience in the power generation or other large-scale process industry (CCGT desirable).
• Good computer literacy skills.
• Experience in maintenance and fault-finding on Control Systems and instruments including testing and recommissioning.
• Knowledge of budgets and contract management.
• Knowledge and experience of the principles of working safely and health, safety and environmental legislation.
• Understanding of engineering standards and legislation.
• Ability to work as part of a small team, supporting other disciplines with work planning and plant diagnostics.