Hydro Power Field Operator

Pacific Gas and Electric Company; Volcano (CA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Gas and Electric Company in Pioneer, California, seeks a Hydro Utility Operator to patrol, inspect, and maintain hydroelectric assets. The role requires navigating challenging waterways, operating in all weather, and following DOT and safety protocols under a collective bargaining framework.

The position falls under IBEW Local 1245 and includes job duties ranging from routine equipment tests to water flow regulation, with wage details reflecting the local collective bargaining agreement.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class A California Driver's License Permit by Day 1 of hire.
• Must possess and maintain a valid DMV Medical Card by Day 1 of hire.
• Must possess a High School diploma, GED or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to work around bodies of water.
• Ability to drive safely in all weather and road conditions.

Responsibilities

• Maintains buildings and grounds associated with PG&E's hydroelectric assets.
• May assist in performing routine tests on automatic equipment.
• May assist in maintaining and installing measuring devices.
• Cleans, patrols, maintains, makes minor repairs to and may assist in adjusting the flow and level of water in canals, flumes, gates, tunnels, siphons, penstocks, gauging stations, canal alarms, spill channels, trash rakes, fish ladders, fish screens, dams, reservoirs and their related facilities and equipment.
• May assist in regulating water diversions to customers.
• Drives (company/personal) vehicle on designated inspection route; drives in all traffic and weather conditions, day or night.
• Routinely patrols monitors, surveys andinspects the condition of PG&E's hydroelectric assets including but not limited to, dams, reservoirs, forebays’water conveyance structures, dwelling, roads, bridges, public safety signs, fall protection equipment and other hydroelectric assets; assess and maintains vegetation conditions, , and erosion conditions thatmay affectthe safe reliable of PG&E's hydroelectric assets; patrols monitors, surveys andinspects equipment that may have been damaged by natural causes, vandalism, accidents or storm’s;[BE1]; all areas are to be inspected by foot or vehicle(this may include the use of boats, helicopters, drones or UTV’s); uses sight, hearing and smell to monitor our hydroelectricassets.; views a variety of instruments, including lighted panel board and several monitors; watches the visible areas of operation; listens for routine or aberrant operation sounds and alarms.
• Identifies documents and reports the location and extent of damages to structures caused by vandalism, natural causes,storms or accidents; investigates the cause and extent of damages that have caused interruptions of service; investigates water clarity and turbidity of waterways.
• Effectively and routinely communicates in person, by phone or by radio with supervisor, switching centreor coworkers’regardingloan worker safety and location, emergent conditions, or any other findings that may pose a threat to employee public or environmental safety.; communicates with site foremen, crew members, home owners and public.
• In all weather conditions employee walks, climbs, bends, kneels or squats to access structures and equipment; lifts metal cabinet covers; unlocks/ re-locks gates, doors or garages, as needed; uses flashlight or head lamp at night or in dark spaces.
• Uses organized handwritten field notes to record site locations, field findings, hazards and deficiencies, proposed solutions, estimated time frame and material needed for repair, uses detailed notes incident reporting and documentation .
• Uses computer or mobile device to: schedule track and identify routine and corrective work; write up work summaries and reports with repair recommendations, create and assign corrective work; e-mail; attends remote meetings use teams or zoom; compiles, copies, files and mails reports; uses phone to schedule appointments, speak with other agencies; receives and reviews work site (assignments/ route); plans route, prioritizes work, checks directions and addresses; obtains vehicle and conducts pre-op safety inspection;
• Attends and participates in daily tailboard meetings or communicates with supervisor to learn safety guidelines and potential hazards; attends and participates in training and procedural meetings, as scheduled.
• Uses hand tools and power tools to repair: roads, canals, tunnels, ditches, flumes, water collection systems, pipelines and other related water systems; cleans canals, ditches, roads, dams and water gates; uses pumps and hoses for dewatering; operates controls, buttons, dials and switches to regulate power production, temperature and water flow. -Fuels vehicle at designated fueling stations (at start of shift/ at end of shift/ during route), as needed; measure and pre-mix oil and fuels for tools and equipment.
• Based on qualifications, operates hand and foot controls of various types of heavy equipment, such as: snow-cat, UTV’s, boats and drones.
• Provides on-the-job training, orientation, demonstration and assistance to other crew members; attends and participates in training classes and meetings.

Job description

Pacific Gas and Electric Company in Pioneer, California, seeks a Hydro Utility Operator to patrol, inspect, and maintain hydroelectric assets. The role requires navigating challenging waterways, operating in all weather, and following DOT and safety protocols under a collective bargaining framework.

The position falls under IBEW Local 1245 and includes job duties ranging from routine equipment tests to water flow regulation, with wage details reflecting the local collective bargaining agreement.