Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

Course Advisor; United States; On-site; USD 34,580 - 81,750; Full time

Job summary

Course Advisor is looking for a Hydroelectric Plant Technician to monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. This role involves operating plant equipment like turbines and pumps, performing maintenance, and keeping detailed logs of operations. Candidates should have strong skills in operation monitoring, control, and critical thinking. The average yearly salary for this position ranges between $34,580 and $81,750, depending on location and experience.

Qualifications

• Watching gauges to ensure machines are working properly.
• Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Using logic to identify strengths and weaknesses of solutions.
• Monitoring performance to make improvements.
• Performing routine maintenance on equipment.
• Conveying information effectively.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and control hydropower generation activities.
• Operate plant equipment such as turbines and pumps.
• Perform equipment maintenance and repairs as necessary.
• Maintain logs and records of work performed.

Skills

Operation Monitoring

Operation and Control

Critical Thinking

Monitoring

Equipment Maintenance

Speaking

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Outlook

Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software

Computerized maintenance management system CMMS

Distributed control system DCS

Job description

Hydroelectric Plant Technician

Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.

Daily Life Of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

• Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
• Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
• Maintain logs, reports, work requests, or other records of work performed in hydroelectric plants.
• Perform tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources.
• Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.
• Change oil, hydraulic fluid, or other lubricants to maintain condition of hydroelectric plant equipment.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?

• Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Hydro Technician
• Hydroelectric Plant Electrician
• Operator
• Maintenance Mechanic
• Power Plant Operator

Job Outlook for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 12,100 jobs in the United States for Hydroelectric Plant Technician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.5% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 300 new jobs for Hydroelectric Plant Technician by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Hydroelectric Plant Technician are South Dakota, Nebraska, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Massachusetts, West Virginia, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Make A Lot Of Money?

The average yearly salary of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician ranges between $34,580 and $81,750.

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians who work in Alaska, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.

What Tools do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Use?

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
• Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
• IBM Lotus Notes
• Distributed control system DCS