Mechanical/Electrical Technician

Nebraska Public Power District; North Platte (NE); On-site; USD 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Nebraska Public Power District is seeking a Mechanical/Electrical Technician to operate and maintain hydro turbines, generators, governors and related equipment, supporting hydro and water system projects. The role includes troubleshooting, field service, and on-call duties with travel as needed.

Qualified candidates typically have a two-year technical associate degree with 3 years in an industrial setting, or a high school diploma with substantial technician experience.

Qualifications

• Two-year associate degree in a technical discipline and 3 years of experience in an industrial setting, or equivalent military training.
• High school diploma/GED with a minimum of 5 years of experience as a mechanical/electrical technician in an industrial setting or related training.
• Mechanical, electrical and electronics, certified switching, SCADA and control systems, hydro plant operation or maintenance experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain hydro turbines, generators, governors and associated equipment.
• Locate and correct electrical and mechanical problems within hydro plants, hydraulic canal system gates and operators and associated shops and buildings.
• Design, purchase, build, install, troubleshoot and tune PLC controllers for SCADA sites.
• Program, build graphics, install software, download alarm history and manage internet/intranet system readings.
• Travel as necessary including overnight work assignments to support Water System/Renewable Energy team needs.

Skills

Customer Focus

Teamwork

Environmental Stewardship

Safety

Education

Associate degree in a technical discipline

High school diploma/GED

Tools

PLC

SCADA

RTU

SAP

Job description

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Salary Range - $41.91 -$52.39
Location - North Platte, NE North Platte Office
Posting Date: Friday September 11, 2026
Closing Date: Thursday Septemeber 24, 2026

Nebraska Public Power District is hiring! Join our team as a Mechanical/Electrical Technicianand become an important part of our NPPD story. We are proud of our history, powering every corner of Nebraska, every day, for half a century. We recognize that it takes a diverse group of individuals to move forward in the rapidly changing energy industry, and now is the time to power our own transformation. Come with us on our journey, walking alongside teammates and our customers, leading the way in providing safe, reliable, sustainable energy for all Nebraskans, all while protecting our environment, powering our lives, and realizing our dreams. That’s NPPD…the Power of People.

Operate and perform maintenance on hydro turbines, generators, governors and associated equipment. Locate and correct electrical and mechanical problems within the hydro plants, hydraulic canal system gates and operators, irrigation canal system gates and operators and associated shops and buildings. Design, purchase, build, install, troubleshoot and tune PLC controllers for SCADA sites. Program, build graphics, install software, download alarm history and be responsible for internet and intranet system readings. Travel as necessary including overnight work assignments to support Water System/Renewable Energy team needs. Be on call 24 hours per day, except as otherwise pre-arranged.

Education, Training and Experience

Two-year associate degree in a technical (electronics, electrical electromechanical, or mechanical) discipline and 3 years of experience in an industrial setting, or equivalent military training, and 3 years of experience as a mechanical/electrical technician in an industrial setting.

OR

High school diploma/GED and either: a minimum of 5 years of experience as a mechanical/electrical technician in an industrial setting, completion of a mechanical/electrical technician program, or other work experience or demonstrated performance indicating that the applicant has the skills and ability to perform the required duties of the position.

Mechanical, electrical and electronics, certified switching, SCADA and control systems, hydro plant operation or maintenance experience preferred.

Licenses and/or Certifications

Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Position will be required to obtain certification in the operation of the North Platte Hydro and its associated systems to provide emergency coverage for hydro operations.

Responsible for the operation, maintenance, installation, repairs and inspection of hydro turbines, generators, governors, exciters, switchgear, vibration monitoring equipment, trash removal system, cranes, computer systems, backup generators and cooling water pumps to maintain a high reliability factor. Assist in providing the specification needs, planning and purchasing of equipment, parts and hardware.

Responsible for the development, maintenance, repairs, installation and programming, of programmable logic controllers (PLC’s), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), communication equipment, remote terminal units (RTU’s) and the calibration of transducers and transmitters for the measurement of flows and elevations of canals, reservoir elevations and hydro discharges for the purpose of water control.

Responsible for switching hydro plant and substation equipment out of service for emergency and scheduled inspections and maintenance. The incumbent must be a certified switchman or be able to pass the switchman certification exam. The incumbent is responsible holding clearance orders, must be able to recognize normal and potential hazards and problems before an outage occurs that could interrupt customer service and perform substation inspections as scheduled.

Participate in training to maintain qualification as a mechanical/electrical technician and be able to train others. The incumbent must participate in safety programs, be responsible for keeping plants and equipment clean and compliant with OSHA regulations, keeping and updating equipment history, assist in updating blueprints, entering time and making notifications through computer-based systems (SAP) and responsible for keeping Water System Management informed of customer needs, items of risk and other concerns.

Responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of canal gate operators, gearboxes, drive units, electric operators, structures and related equipment.

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Customer Focus

Employees & Teamwork/Diversity & Inclusion

Public Service/Environmental Stewardship

Safety

Salary Information - Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth.In addition to the base salary range listed below, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range. Successful applicants will be provided more information regarding the incentive program at the time of an interview.

Pay Grade - 13 Hourly

Typical Pay Grade Starting Salary Range:$41.91 - $52.39

Travel Required: Up to 25% (With no or minimal overnight stays, less than 3 per month, typically within state of Nebraska) Travel required may fluctuate by business need. This is an estimate and will be discussed further with candidates that receive an interview.

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary and an excellent benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid medical,training opportunities and more.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at Nebraska Public Power District.

Nebraska Public Power District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who values the contributions of its diverse work force. We are only legally able to hire persons who are 1) a United States citizen or national, 2) a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or 3) an alien legally authorized to work in the United States.

Customers around the state know what to expect from NPPD — quality, reliability and performance excellence. Our values also extend to the way we take care of our employees and their families. We remain on the leading edge by providing competitive benefits that respond to the diverse lifestyles of our people in an ever-changing world.

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth.In addition to the base salary listed in posting, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.

Retirement Savings

NPPD employees may participate in two retirement plan options – a 401(k) plan and a 457(b) plan. Both plans allow for pre-tax or Roth contributions. After the first six months of employment, the 401(k) plan includes a generous matching contribution from NPPD. The five-year vesting period begins on an employee’s hire date. Our retired employees are eligible for retiree healthcare benefits as well as a life benefit paid out to designated beneficiaries upon their passing.

At NPPD, we care about the health and wellness of our employees. We offer new teammates two competitive hospital / medical plan options to fit their lifestyle and family needs. We also make an annual contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts, which can be used to offset out-of-pocket expenses. Employees and their spouse are invited to participate in a variety of wellness initiatives offered throughout the year as a way to enhance their wellness, reduce health risks and promote healthy lifestyles.

Other Benefits

Employees earn vacation on a schedule commensurate with their years of service. We also offer paid holidays as well as personal and family medical leave, including birth mother recovery leave and parental child bonding leave. All full-time employees receive a life insurance policy equivalent to two times the participant's annual salary at no cost to the employee. NPPD also offers dental and vision insurance as well as personal accident, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, pre-paid legal/identity theft, and short-and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional benefits include college tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance and complimentary access to an Employee Assistance Program.