Coal Plant Operator
Direct Energy Business, Pekin, IL, United States
Date: Apr 2, 2026
Location: Peking, IL, US, 61554
Job Purpose
Working together under general supervision coordinate, instruct, train, and check the work of employees responsible for coal handling activities; operate locomotives and railroad cars; operate, inspect and service coal handling equipment; operate car dumpers and their auxiliary equipment; operate ash handling cranes; shift barges and railroad cars; lubricate equipment; operate ash and slag handling equipment; be a member of the station’s fire brigade or act as station fire guide for outside fire departments; perform all activities in accordance with applicable health, safety, and environmental standards; utilize computer and other technology‑based work management systems as may be required in performing work duties; perform all activities in a high‑quality manner to achieve best industry practice; perform general cleaning and housekeeping duties; interact with station personnel, contractors, and others to perform coal plant operator functions; respond to overtime requests as needed; handle special assignments; and perform related work as required.
Essential Functions
Operate, inspect, maintain, and lubricate coal handling equipment such as conveyors, trippers, crushers, feeders, breakers, screens, stackers, and loaders, ash and slag handling equipment, dust control equipment and bag houses.
Shift barges and railroad cars by operating pullers and manipulating cables; operate car heating equipment; inventory railroad cars; act as a weigh master; prepare locomotives for operation and standby, and other related railroad car activities.
Read, interpret, and implement technical information found in manufacturers’ and OEM technical manuals, electrical and mechanical P &IDs, and operating and maintenance procedures.
Operate, inspect, and lubricate ash handling cranes, car dumpers and auxiliary equipment, locomotive and gantry cranes, barge unloaders, fuel handling mobile equipment such as tractor‑bulldozer‑scraper combinations, vacuum trucks, street sweepers, water wagons, backhoes and other mobile equipment.
Prepare work permits and administer the SAFE Access to Plant, or similar systems, as it applies to the equipment under the control of the Coal Operator.
Inspect, repair, adjust, service, and troubleshoot equipment.
Maintain records of coal cars, barge movements, and tonnages and input information into computerised system.
Write work orders and input data into work history file.
Maintain equipment and working area in a clean condition including shoveling, vacuuming, degreasing, washing, sweeping, and utilising other various cleaning methods.
Perform electrical disconnect switching and grounding; perform electrical and mechanical operations to place equipment in and out of service safely, for permit work.
Perform maintenance activity as required in support of the overall maintenance of the plant.
Assist in the planning and layout of jobs including parts identification and ordering of equipment needed to complete the job.
Conduct shift change by briefing the incoming Coal Plant Operators of current plant status and issues.
Adjust belt scrapers, seals, and side skirting; align feeder belts.
Perform routine equipment testing and maintain environmental logs.
Monitor equipment condition using control room indication, field devices and portable test equipment.
Utilise computer‑based management systems for operational and management requirements.
Assist other job classifications as may be required.
Qualifications
Required
High School degree or equivalent education.
Valid driver’s licence.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of job safety requirements.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to learn.
At least three years of previous experience related to power plant operation, maintenance and operation of coal handling equipment is strongly preferred.
Physical Requirements / Working Conditions
Position is exposed to both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, cold and hot temperatures, and moderate to high noise levels. The job requires occasional bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, walking, sitting, standing, and climbing.
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range: $34.65 - $52.79 per hour. Salary varies with location, experience and performance. Pay package may include annual bonuses, short‑term and long‑term incentives, and program‑specific awards. Eligible for benefits such as medical, vision, dental, 401k, and flexible spending accounts.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
NRG Energy is committed to a drug‑and alcohol‑free workplace. Employees may be subject to periodic random drug testing, and post‑accident or reasonable suspicion testing, as permitted by law.
Equal Employment Opportunity
EEO, AA, M/F/Vet/Disability. Title, level and salary may be adjusted based on applicant skills or experience.
Official description on file with Talent.
Nearest Major Market: Peoria
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location: Peking, IL, US, 61554
Job Purpose
Working together under general supervision coordinate, instruct, train, and check the work of employees responsible for coal handling activities; operate locomotives and railroad cars; operate, inspect and service coal handling equipment; operate car dumpers and their auxiliary equipment; operate ash handling cranes; shift barges and railroad cars; lubricate equipment; operate ash and slag handling equipment; be a member of the station’s fire brigade or act as station fire guide for outside fire departments; perform all activities in accordance with applicable health, safety, and environmental standards; utilize computer and other technology‑based work management systems as may be required in performing work duties; perform all activities in a high‑quality manner to achieve best industry practice; perform general cleaning and housekeeping duties; interact with station personnel, contractors, and others to perform coal plant operator functions; respond to overtime requests as needed; handle special assignments; and perform related work as required.
Essential Functions
Operate, inspect, maintain, and lubricate coal handling equipment such as conveyors, trippers, crushers, feeders, breakers, screens, stackers, and loaders, ash and slag handling equipment, dust control equipment and bag houses.
Shift barges and railroad cars by operating pullers and manipulating cables; operate car heating equipment; inventory railroad cars; act as a weigh master; prepare locomotives for operation and standby, and other related railroad car activities.
Read, interpret, and implement technical information found in manufacturers’ and OEM technical manuals, electrical and mechanical P &IDs, and operating and maintenance procedures.
Operate, inspect, and lubricate ash handling cranes, car dumpers and auxiliary equipment, locomotive and gantry cranes, barge unloaders, fuel handling mobile equipment such as tractor‑bulldozer‑scraper combinations, vacuum trucks, street sweepers, water wagons, backhoes and other mobile equipment.
Prepare work permits and administer the SAFE Access to Plant, or similar systems, as it applies to the equipment under the control of the Coal Operator.
Inspect, repair, adjust, service, and troubleshoot equipment.
Maintain records of coal cars, barge movements, and tonnages and input information into computerised system.
Write work orders and input data into work history file.
Maintain equipment and working area in a clean condition including shoveling, vacuuming, degreasing, washing, sweeping, and utilising other various cleaning methods.
Perform electrical disconnect switching and grounding; perform electrical and mechanical operations to place equipment in and out of service safely, for permit work.
Perform maintenance activity as required in support of the overall maintenance of the plant.
Assist in the planning and layout of jobs including parts identification and ordering of equipment needed to complete the job.
Conduct shift change by briefing the incoming Coal Plant Operators of current plant status and issues.
Adjust belt scrapers, seals, and side skirting; align feeder belts.
Perform routine equipment testing and maintain environmental logs.
Monitor equipment condition using control room indication, field devices and portable test equipment.
Utilise computer‑based management systems for operational and management requirements.
Assist other job classifications as may be required.
Qualifications
Required
High School degree or equivalent education.
Valid driver’s licence.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of job safety requirements.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to learn.
At least three years of previous experience related to power plant operation, maintenance and operation of coal handling equipment is strongly preferred.
Physical Requirements / Working Conditions
Position is exposed to both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, cold and hot temperatures, and moderate to high noise levels. The job requires occasional bending, stooping, reaching, pushing, pulling, walking, sitting, standing, and climbing.
Compensation and Benefits
Base salary range: $34.65 - $52.79 per hour. Salary varies with location, experience and performance. Pay package may include annual bonuses, short‑term and long‑term incentives, and program‑specific awards. Eligible for benefits such as medical, vision, dental, 401k, and flexible spending accounts.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
NRG Energy is committed to a drug‑and alcohol‑free workplace. Employees may be subject to periodic random drug testing, and post‑accident or reasonable suspicion testing, as permitted by law.
Equal Employment Opportunity
EEO, AA, M/F/Vet/Disability. Title, level and salary may be adjusted based on applicant skills or experience.
Official description on file with Talent.
Nearest Major Market: Peoria
#J-18808-Ljbffr