Hydro Plant Technician | Eagle Creek Renewable Energy

Hydropower Foundation, Inc.; New York, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 77,366,000 - 100,289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, Com

Commuter benefits

Job summary

Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC seeks a Hydro Plant Technician (electrical focus) to operate and maintain hydroelectric facilities safely and reliably across our plants.

You will monitor generating units, perform preventive maintenance, test PLC/SCADA systems, and support outages, with weekend and off-hour coverage as needed; strong safety discipline and teamwork are essential. This is based in New York with opportunities for growth within the renewable energy portfolio.

Qualifications

• Power plant/industrial/military operations experience preferred.
• Strong safety mindset and public stewardship.
• Ability to read schematics and diagnose control circuits.
• Experience with instrumentation and calibration practices preferred.
• Electrical aptitude; interpreting P&IDs of electrical systems.

Responsibilities

• Inspect hydroelectric plants, dams, and equipment; document conditions.
• Start, stop, monitor, and adjust generating units per procedures.
• Maintain logs, records, and reports of issues or downtime.
• Respond to alarms and outages; communicate status promptly.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on electrical and control systems.
• Test and maintain PLC/SCADA equipment; assist calibration and repairs.
• Support outages, testing, and return-to-service activities; lockout/tagout.
• Operate hand and power tools; perform general electrical/mechanical maintenance.

Skills

Power plant operations

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical troubleshooting

PLC/SCADA systems

Instrumentation calibration

Reading schematics

Communication

MS Office

Valid driver's license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Vocational training in Engineering/Physical Sciences

Tools

SCADA equipment

PLC hardware

Job description

About the Company

Founded in 2010, Eagle Creek Renewable Energy acquires, enhances, and operates hydroelectric power facilities across the United States. Today, Eagle Creek owns and operates 85 facilities across 18 states, with a nearly 700 MW portfolio that provides reliable, low-carbon power to more than 260,000 homes.

Eagle Creek is committed to creating long-term value for its stakeholders and the communities it serves through a focus on safety, integrity, innovation, diversity, and stewardship. Through strategic investments, operational excellence, and continued growth, the company aims to expand its renewable energy platform and play a meaningful role in the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

Summary of the Position

As a part of the Eagle Creek Hydro Operations team, the Hydro Plant Technician (electrical focus) is more than an operator of equipment; they are a steward of reliability, safety, and the communities that depend on the power we generate. This position is responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of hydroelectric facilities and water conveyance systems to deliver safe, efficient, and dependable energy production. Success demands operational discipline, technical curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to protecting people, the environment, and the long-term integrity of our assets for our stakeholders.

Main Responsibilities

• Inspect hydroelectric plants, dams, and associated equipment; identify abnormal conditions and document findings.
• Start, stop, monitor, and adjust generating units and auxiliary systems in accordance with operating procedures and dispatch direction.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, inspection records, work orders, and reports of equipment issues or downtime.
• Respond to alarms, outages, and other abnormal conditions; help stabilize the plant, protect personnel and equipment, and communicate status promptly.
• Participate in rotating coverage, including weekends, holiday, and off-hour response as required.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on generators, exciters, motors, motor controls, switchgear, transformers, batteries, relays, and control panels.
• Inspect, test, and maintain PLC/SCADA equipment, sensors, alarms, and communications systems; assist with calibration and repairs.
• Perform routine electrical, mechanical and facility maintenance. Use hand tools, power tools, and approved equipment as needed.
• Troubleshoot electrical, control, and instrumentation issues using drawings, schematics, test equipment, and operating data.
• Support planned outages, equipment testing, and return-to-service activities, including equipment isolation and verification; lockout/tagout (LOTO) and independently verify the absence of voltage before electrical maintenance.
• Perform insulation resistance testing (megger testing) on motors, cables, and other electrical equipment as assigned.
• Assist in developing safety procedures and Job Safety Analyses (JSA) that protect personnel and operations.
• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all activities.
• Perform other collateral duties as assigned.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Power plant, industrial, utility or military operations experience preferred.
• Strong commitment to safety, operational discipline, and public stewardship.
• Electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills, including reading schematics and diagnosing control circuits.
• Experience with instrumentation, PLC based control systems, and calibration practices preferred.
• Electrical aptitude; interpreting P&IDs of electrical systems essential to hydro operations, such as generators, switchgear, relays, transformers, control panels, and PLC/SCADA systems.
• Ability to communicate operational issues and downtime events clearly and professionally.
• Working knowledge of industrial maintenance techniques preferred.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Vocational training or education in Engineering or Physical Sciences preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite for operational communication and reporting.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described below represent those that are necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Ability to perform manual tasks including but not limited to:
  • The operation of hand and power tools and the ability to lift at least 50 lbs.
  • Being able to bend and maneuver in tight, cramped quarters.
  • Ability to work in hot, noisy, and dark environments, often alone and isolated.
  • Comfortability working at heights and around water.
  • Ability to work with and wear respiratory protection.
  • Reach with hands and arms above shoulder level and at shoulder level.
  • Walk, stand, stoop, kneel, and bend for prolonged periods of time.
  • Grip and manually manipulate, often in repetitive motion, items such as but not limited to hand tools and machine parts.
  • Read and identify labels, gauges, dials, and indicators typically encountered in performing job duties.
• Possess clear and effective verbal communication in all circumstances, including emergency situations and giving/receiving instructions over a radio.

Benefits

Eagle Creek offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health, well-being, and professional development of our employees. Benefits may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, Commuter benefits, Voluntary Life, 401(k) match
• Competitive holiday & PTO schedule, including time off for community volunteering.

Benefits eligibility may vary based on employment status, position, length of service, and applicable plan requirements.

Please note: Application-related communications will be sent through JazzHR on behalf of Eagle Creek. After submitting your application, please monitor the email address associated with your application and check your SPAM, junk, or promotional folders to ensure you do not miss important communications from Eagle Creek regarding your application.

Salary disclosure:

The range for the hourly rate for this role is $27-35. Within the range, individual pay is determined by factors such as job-related skills, experience, relevant education or training, and work location. We are committed to fair and equitable compensation practices in compliance with all applicable state and local pay transparency laws.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process.