HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR

State of California; California; On-site; USD 93,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of California seeks a Hydroelectric Plant Operator to manage pumps, generators, and auxiliary equipment at hydro facilities. You will operate from control rooms and remote sites, monitor systems, and apply safety protocols to meet plant and division goals.

The role includes training apprentices and performing maintenance as needed. Desirable experience includes 230kV switching, SCADA operation, and strong communication.

Qualifications

• Experience with high voltage switching (230kV) and clearance placement (lock-out-tag-out) for personnel safety.
• Mechanical operations experience in utility or pumped storage operations, or related fields.
• Experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and common business software applications (Excel, Word, Adobe).
• Experience with Flood Control Gates and Release Structures in Water Operations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to work with others.

Responsibilities

• Operate pumps, generators and associated equipment at plants, control centers, and remote sites.
• Maintain logs, readings, and schedule power and water operations; perform calculations as required.
• Prepare and issue clearances; verify protection and follow safety procedures in emergencies.
• Assist in training Apprentices in manual and remote plant operations.
• Perform minor maintenance and assist Plant Maintenance.

Skills

High voltage switching

Lockout/Tagout

SCADA systems

Safety procedures

Teamwork

Tools

Excel

Word

Adobe

Job description

Job Description and Duties

Operates pumps, generators and associated auxiliary equipment, aqueduct facilities, reservoirs and turnout from plants, control centers and remote sites either directly or by use of remote-control systems; and monitors or operates digital process control system for optimal individual plant or system wide operation. Performs high and low voltage switching. Incumbent may work alone in plants and Area Control Center and drive into areas away from frequently traveled roadways. Keeps log records of operations and readings; implements power, water, and pumping schedules and makes power and water calculations as required; prepares and places clearances, verifies protection, and issues clearances; is familiar with standing operating orders, Emergency Action Plan, and operating safety procedures in order to take prompt and appropriate action to meet any plant or division operating emergency. Maintains an assigned cleaning station. Carries out specific duties or miscellaneous assignments as directed by the Senior HEP Operator. Perform minor maintenance including, but not limited to, transferring, centrifuging/filtering of lubricating, hydraulic and insulating oil, adjustment of main unit auxiliary devices, installation and removal of stop logs, operating bridge and gantry cranes, revamping, and replacement of low voltage control fuses. May be required to assist Plant Maintenance. Assist in training Apprentices in the manual and remote operations of plants and facilities.. Work is on-site to support the State Water Project.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-535647

Position #(s): 849-230-6463-085 849-230-6463-180

Working Title: Hydroelectric Plant Operator

Classification: HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR $8,372.00 - $10,792.00 A New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 2

Work Location: Butte County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Operations & Maintenance/Oroville Field Division/Operations Branch/Plant Operations Section, Oroville

Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California’s water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.

At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.

DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWR’s equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Department Website: https://water.ca.gov/

Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR’s Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.

Special Requirements

Position is designated sensitive and subject to substance abuse testing. Employee is required to successfully complete all safety training related to the functions of the job. This position has frequent access to areas designated as containing critical cyber assets in accordance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and therefore a satisfactory background check is required prior to appointment and every seven years thereafter.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Experience with high voltage switching (230kV) and clearance placement (lock-out-tag-out) for personnel safety, mechanical operations experience in any of the following fields: Commercial Fossil/Hydro/Nuclear utility or pumped storage operations, or Military, Naval, or Merchant Marine steam propulsion/generating plant operations, Experience with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems and common business software applications (Excel, Word, Adobe. Etc.), Experienced in the Operation of Flood Control Gates and Release Structures in Water Operations. Ability to work well with others, use independent judgment, strong oral and written communications skills.

Benefits

Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.

Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact: Karyn Woodruff

[phone]

[e-mail]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact: Office of Civil Rights

[phone]

[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.