Background

Itezhi Tezhi Power Corporation Limited (ITPC) is a Joint Venture Company owned by ZESCO Limited and The TATA Power Company Limited to build and operate the 120 Mega Watt Hydro Power Station on the Itezhi Tezhi Dam of the Kafue River in Itezhi Tezhi District.

The company seeks to recruit a suitably qualified candidate for the position of Control Desk Technologist to be based at the Itezhi Tezhi Hydropower Station in Itezhi Tezhi District.

JOB PURPOSE

To ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the hydroelectric power generation plant by monitoring, controlling, and maintaining all operational equipment. This role is responsible for executing switching and load orders, responding to system disturbances, conducting black-start procedures, and providing technical supervision to plant operations staff, thereby contributing to the continuous and optimal power supply from the ITPC facility.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Station Operator Technologist

Grade: IT 6

Department: Operations

Reports To: Head Operations

Direct Reports: Plant Operators, Plant Attendants

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

Plant Operation & Control:

• Start, adjust, synchronize, and stop hydroelectric generating units as per dispatch instructions and operational requirements.
• Monitor the operation and performance of all plant equipment (e.g., turbines, generators, transformers, auxiliary systems) via SCADA and control panels, making necessary adjustments to maintain specified parameters.
• Operate high-voltage switches, circuit breakers, valves, gates, and related devices safely and efficiently.
• Implement load and switching orders accurately and in a timely manner.

Fault Diagnosis & Response:

• Promptly identify, diagnose, and address malfunctions or abnormal conditions in plant equipment.
• Respond to plant alarms and events, initiating corrective actions and assigning tasks to relevant personnel or authorities.
• Execute Black-Start procedures safely and effectively to restore plant operation following a total station shutdown.

Supervision & Coordination:

• Provide on-the-job training, guidance, and supervision to Plant Operators and Plant Attendants.
• Communicate equipment status, operational changes, and incidents clearly and promptly to Shift Dispatchers, Supervisors, and other relevant parties.
• Ensure smooth shift handovers, including comprehensive verbal and written briefings.

Inspection & Maintenance Support:

• Conduct routine inspections of generators, turbines, auxiliary equipment, and switchyard components to verify proper operation and identify maintenance needs.
• Issue and cancel Work Permits for maintenance activities, ensuring all safety protocols are followed.

Administration & Compliance:

• Maintain accurate and timely logs, operational reports, event reports, fault reports, and work request records.
• Prepare and review switching programs and operational plans.
• Perform all designated Control Room duties.

Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications:

Minimum Academic Qualifications:

• Diploma or higher in Electrical Engineering, Electro-Mechanics, Power Plant Operations, or a directly related field.

Minimum Relevant Experience:

• Significant demonstrated experience (typically 5+ years) in the operation and control of a hydroelectric or similar power generation plant, including experience with high-voltage equipment.

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in SCADA systems, understanding of electrical and mechanical systems in a power plant, and strong knowledge of safety procedures (including HV safety) and emergency protocols.

Communication Skills:

• Oral: Ability to give clear instructions, report concisely, and coordinate effectively under normal and emergency conditions.
• Writing: Competent in writing clear, factual, and detailed operational and incident reports.

Key Competencies:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, high level of alertness and responsibility, ability to work under pressure, leadership and team supervision capabilities, and unwavering commitment to safety.

Working Conditions:

Workplace:

• Primarily in a Control Room environment within a hydroelectric power plant, with periodic outdoor rounds in the plant and switchyard areas.

Physical Effort:

• Moderate; involves walking during plant rounds, operating controls, and possibly responding to equipment in various plant locations.

Mental Effort:

• High; requires constant vigilance, multi-tasking, rapid decision-making, especially during fault conditions or system disturbances.

Hazards:

• Exposure to high-voltage electricity, rotating machinery, high noise levels, and potentially adverse weather conditions during external rounds. Strict adherence to safety PPE and procedures is mandatory.

• Start, adjust, synchronize, and stop hydroelectric generating units as per dispatch instructions and operational requirements.
• Monitor the operation and performance of all plant equipment (e.g., turbines, generators, transformers, auxiliary systems) via SCADA and control panels, making necessary adjustments to maintain specified parameters.
• Operate high-voltage switches, circuit breakers, valves, gates, and related devices safely and efficiently.
• Implement load and switching orders accurately and in a timely manner.
• Promptly identify, diagnose, and address malfunctions or abnormal conditions in plant equipment.
• Respond to plant alarms and events, initiating corrective actions and assigning tasks to relevant personnel or authorities.
• Execute Black-Start procedures safely and effectively to restore plant operation following a total station shutdown.
• Provide on-the-job training, guidance, and supervision to Plant Operators and Plant Attendants.
• Communicate equipment status, operational changes, and incidents clearly and promptly to Shift Dispatchers, Supervisors, and other relevant parties.
• Ensure smooth shift handovers, including comprehensive verbal and written briefings.
• Conduct routine inspections of generators, turbines, auxiliary equipment, and switchyard components to verify proper operation and identify maintenance needs.
• Issue and cancel Work Permits for maintenance activities, ensuring all safety protocols are followed.
• Maintain accurate and timely logs, operational reports, event reports, fault reports, and work request records.
• Prepare and review switching programs and operational plans.
• Perform all designated Control Room duties.

• Proficient in SCADA systems
• Understanding of electrical and mechanical systems in a power plant
• Strong knowledge of safety procedures (including HV safety)
• Strong knowledge of emergency protocols
• Ability to give clear instructions
• Ability to report concisely
• Ability to coordinate effectively under normal and emergency conditions
• Competent in writing clear, factual, and detailed operational and incident reports
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High level of alertness and responsibility
• Ability to work under pressure
• Leadership and team supervision capabilities
• Unwavering commitment to safety

• Diploma or higher in Electrical Engineering, Electro-Mechanics, Power Plant Operations, or a directly related field.
• Significant demonstrated experience (typically 5+ years) in the operation and control of a hydroelectric or similar power generation plant, including experience with high-voltage equipment.