Power Plant Operators
Official O*NET title: Power Plant Operators (51-8013.00)
Also called: auxiliary operator, control operator, control room operator, multicraft operator, operations and maintenance technician
Do you do this at work?
Answer each card — it takes about a minute.
Do you do this at work?
Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities
Swipe right for yes, left for not me. On a keyboard: → yes, ← not me, Z undo. +2 XP per answer.
How AI is changing power plant operators work
3 of 17 measurable main tasks for this job show up in real AI-use data, so we rate it Green (little AI use yet) — 18%. 4 newer tasks are not in the data yet and left out.
This shows where people already use AI, not whether the job will disappear. How we measure this.
Tasks in this job and recorded AI use
- Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports (main task) — some recorded AI use
- Control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Control power generating equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Start or stop generators, auxiliary pumping equipment, turbines, or other power plant equipment as necessary (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Monitor power plant equipment and indicators to detect evidence of operating problems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Operate or maintain distributed power generation equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Open and close valves and switches in sequence to start or shut down auxiliary units (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Control or maintain auxiliary equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Regulate equipment operations and conditions (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Inspect records or log book entries or communicate with plant staff to assess equipment operating status (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Clean, lubricate, or maintain equipment (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Make adjustments or minor repairs (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Diagnose or troubleshoot problems with gas collection systems (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Monitor well fields periodically to make sure proper functioning and performance (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Operate landfill gas, methane, or natural gas fueled electrical generation systems (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Repair or replace gas piping (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Trace electrical circuitry to make sure compliance of electrical systems with applicable codes or laws (main task) — too new for the AI data
- Verify that well field monitoring data conforms to applicable regulations (main task) — no recorded AI use
- Adjust controls to generate specified electrical power or to regulate the flow of power between generating stations and substations — no recorded AI use
- Operate, control, or monitor equipment — no recorded AI use
- Operate, control, or monitor gasifiers or related equipment — no recorded AI use
- Communicate with systems operators to regulate and coordinate line voltages and transmission loads and frequencies — no recorded AI use
- Operate, control, or monitor integrated gasification combined cycle or related equipment — no recorded AI use
- Receive outage calls and request necessary staff during power outages or emergencies — no recorded AI use
- Collect oil, water, or electrolyte samples for laboratory analysis — no recorded AI use
- Examine and test electrical power distribution machinery and equipment, using testing devices — no recorded AI use
- Place standby emergency electrical generators on line in emergencies and monitor the temperature, output, and lubrication of the system — no recorded AI use
Tasks: O*NET 31.0. AI use: Anthropic Economic Index (exact or close text match).
Your first steps (guidance)
- Week 1: Open a free AI assistant and say hello. Follow our “Getting started with AI” guide. Ask it one simple question about your work.
- Week 2: Use AI on one task you do often. Try the prompt for: “Analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities”. Try the prompt for: “Record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports”.
Tick your own tasks above to get a plan based on what you really do. The first 2 weeks are free; Premium (coming soon) adds weeks 3–12. New to AI? Read our beginner’s guide.
Questions about AI and power plant operators
Will AI replace power plant operators?
Our data can’t predict job losses, and we don’t try to. What it does show: 3 of the 21 main tasks for this job match tasks people already use AI for (Anthropic Economic Index), giving a Green rating (little AI use yet). Using AI on a task is not the same as AI doing the whole job, and 23 of the 30 listed tasks show no recorded AI use yet.
Which power plant operator tasks is AI used for most?
In the data, the most AI use among this job’s tasks is for: analyze the layout, instrumentation, or function of electrical generation or transmission facilities; record and compile operational data by completing and maintaining forms, logs, or reports; prepare and submit compliance, operational, and safety forms or reports.
Which power plant operator tasks show little or no AI use?
For example: control generator output to match the phase, frequency, or voltage of electricity supplied to panels; take regulatory action, based on readings from charts, meters and gauges, at established intervals; control power generating equipment. These are good places to keep building your own skills.
How does this job compare to others?
In Microsoft Research’s “Working with AI” study, this job’s AI applicability score is equal to or higher than 18% of the occupations they scored. That measures overlap with AI chat use, not risk of job loss.
How can a power plant operator start learning AI?
Start small: open a free AI assistant, try it on one task you do often, and always check facts and numbers yourself. The plan on this page is guidance, not professional advice.
See how this job ranks
Power Plant Operators ranks #382 of 572 jobs for the share of main tasks with AI use (#1 = most), and #8 of 35 in Production & Plant.
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