Designate Shift Engineer – Power Generation

About the role

The Designate Shift Engineer ensures a continuous, secure and reliable supply of electricity to Guernsey by safely operating on‑island generating plant and managing imported power via the subsea interconnector. Working on a rotating 24/7 shift, the post holder is the senior operational authority responsible for real‑time decision‑making and overall site safety.

Key responsibilities

• Dispatch generating plant and manage imported power to meet island demand while respecting operating limits and merit order.
• Operate and monitor diesel engines, gas turbines, generators, boilers, auxiliaries and control systems, taking corrective action on alarms or trips.
• Restore supply promptly after loss of generation or system faults, coordinating with field engineers and external control teams.
• Supervise safe isolation, earthing and restoration of high‑voltage and low‑voltage electrical and mechanical equipment.
• Act as the Authorised Person on shift, issuing and controlling Permits‑for‑Work and other safety documentation.
• Maintain continuous oversight of all site activities, providing indirect supervision of shift staff, maintenance personnel and contractors.
• Conduct thorough shift handovers, communicating plant status, active permits, isolations, defects and ongoing works.
• Oversee fuel delivery operations, including bulk oil deliveries and associated safety controls.
• Manage water‑treatment and monitoring activities as part of the shift team.
• Ensure compliance with safety, operational and environmental requirements at all times.

Required profile

• Senior operational authority on shift, responsible for real‑time decision‑making.
• Ability to act independently during abnormal system conditions, plant failures or network events.
• Experience supervising shift staff, maintenance personnel and contractors.
• Capability to manage fuel delivery and water‑treatment operations.

Required skills

• Operation of diesel engines and gas turbines.
• Generator and boiler control.
• High‑voltage and low‑voltage electrical plant operation.
• Electrical and mechanical safety procedures.
• Permit‑to‑Work administration.