Laboratory Technician

EKPC Company Information

Located in the heart of the Bluegrass state, East Kentucky Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) electric utility with headquarters in Winchester, KY which is just a short distance from Lexington. Our cooperative has a vital mission: to safely generate and deliver reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to our 16 owner-member cooperatives serving more than 1 million Kentuckians across 87 counties. We’re leaders in environmental stewardship and we’re committed to provide power to improve the lives of people in Kentucky.

As passionate as we are about providing smart energy solutions, we are equally excited about people. We strive to cultivate connected workplaces where great ideas are born and rewarding careers are built.

EKPC offers a wage and benefits package that ranks among the best in the state. There is no waiting period on our medical, dental and vision insurance plans so you are covered on day one, and the dental plan is free for employees. Our generous 401(k) retirement plan allows employees to start contributing to their plan after a month of service, and after 3 months of service, EKPC will automatically contribute 6.5% of base wages AND match employee contributions up to 4.5%. Our competitive vacation and sick leave package starts day one to allow for flexibly and a healthy work-life balance.

For more information on our plentiful benefits package visit our website at https://www.ekpc.coop/work-ekpc

EKPC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Key Roles

This position is located at the Spurlock Power Plant in Maysville Kentucky and ensures the reliability and integrity of all plant processes and equipment through the safe and proper collection, analysis and/or treatment of water and fuel.

Key Responsibilities

- Collects water samples throughout a generating station. Performs analytical tests on water samples.

- Performs inspections and routine maintenance of water and water treatment systems and components associated with the generation of electricity.

- Monitors and adjusts plant treated water systems and boiler water system.

- Monitors chemical feed systems.

- Adds chemicals to water tanks.

- Obtains coal samples and sends to Central Lab.

- Maintains records of test results.

- Lubricates gears, pump bearings and valves.

- Performs analytical tests on spectrophotometer.

- Retrieves and interprets data from PC.

- Performs preventive maintenance on EHC systems.

- Assists plant operators and maintenance mechanics in performing preventive or scheduled maintenance and major/minor repairs on all Plant Equipment, which may require strenuous lifting, moving or use of tools or machines

Lab Technician Level 1

- Sample softener water (reverse osmosis)

- Sample demineralizer water

- Sample river water

- Sample treated water

- Collect state mandated samples

- Collect boiler and reboiler samples

- Collect plant intake or river water samples

- Collect storm water runoff samples.

- Collect steam samples for steam purity testing

- Collect bulk water samples (36)

- Collect pond samples for EPA Acute Toxicity test

- Collect river water for Zebra Mussel tests

- Collect cooling tower water samples

- Collect closed cooling water samples

- Monitor dissolved oxygen

- Monitor pH from local instrumentation

- Monitor conductivity from local instrumentation

- Monitor clarifier

- Monitor carbon filters

- Monitor gravity sand filters

- Monitor reverse osmosis (RO)

- Monitor demineralizer

- Perform visual jar test (clarifier)

- Adjust polymer addition pump

- Monitor hardness from local instrumentation

- Monitor chemical feeds

- Monitor flocculaor/clarifier

- Monitor water temperature

- Monitor cooling tower chemical feed system

- Monitor steam purity from local instrumentation

- Change water generator ion exchange cartridges

- Perform manual titration for P-alkalinity

- Perform manual titration for sulfite (corrogen)

- Perform manual titration for hardness

- Perform total chlorine residual test (autotitrator)

- Oversee chemical unloading

- Work with hazardous chemicals including nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, ammonium nitrate, caustic, polymer, hydrazine, and aceton

- Monitor ash pond Ph

- Perform settleable solids test

- Calculate flows

- Backwash filters

- Change demineralizer resin

- Regenerate demineralizer

- Change medium on sand filters

- Change medium on charcoal filters

- Wear appropriate PPE/lab/field clothing

- Clean lab equipment

- Drain and clean storage tanks

- Respond to a fire, chemical spill, or gas release

- Perform a Volumetric Quantitative Analysis

- Perform a Gravimetric Quantitative Analysis

- Compact landfill

Key Requirements

Education

:

- High School diploma or equivalent required. Associate's degree in Environmental Sciences or two years college chemistry preferred.

Experience :

- Three (3) years of lab experience preferred. Experience in a coal-fired generating Plant preferred. Degree may substitute for a portion of the experience.

Skills and Abilities:

- Effective Microsoft computer skills desirable.

- Must be able to perform physically demanding operations and maintenance tasks

- Must be able to read and interpret chemical, EPA, and equipment manuals as well as schematics and charts/graphs.

Competencies

- Technical/Professional Knowledge & Skills

- Safety Awareness

- Quality Orientation

- Decision Making

- Contributing to Team Success

Working Conditions

- Must maintain a valid driver’s license and live within one (1) hour of the Plant.

- On-call position that requires a telephone and a rotating day and weekend shift schedule.

- Must pass aptitude test, physical ability test and must follow procedures for wearing a respirator and other protective equipment.

- Regular lifting up to 20 lbs. and occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.

- Regular climbing and work at heights on ladders and stairs required, as well as above ground grating and platforms.