SENIOR HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR

State of California; California; On-site; USD 103,000 - 132,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Water Resources in California seeks a Senior Hydroelectric Plant Operator to monitor, direct, and coordinate with dispatchers, local maintenance teams, and the Project Operation Control Center, ensuring safe and efficient state water system operations. This in-office role requires rotating shifts, overtime, and thorough knowledge of equipment, SAP functions, SCADA, high‑voltage switching, and MS Office.

A California Class C license is required.

Qualifications

• Experience operating hydroelectric plants or pumping facilities.
• Ability to work rotating shifts and overtime.
• Knowledge of standing operating orders and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Experience with SCADA systems, SAP or similar programs, and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Monitor, direct, and coordinate with dispatchers, maintenance forces, and the Project Operation Control Center.
• Oversee overall operations of the Southern Field Division’s facilities.
• Work rotating shifts with varying days off and overtime.
• Use electronic devices to gather data and document Preventive Maintenance tasks.

Skills

Hydroelectric ops

Leadership

Teamwork

Lockout/Tagout

High voltage switching

SCADA

MS Office

SAP

Three-way comms

Tools

SCADA systems

SAP

MS Office

Job description

Job Posting:Senior Hydroelectric Plant Operator

Department of Water Resources

JC-535889 - Senior Hydroelectric Plant Operator

$9,203.00 - $11,867.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/12/2026

This is a non-telework position located in Castaic, California, temporarily reporting to William E. Warne Powerplant in Lebec, California.

Under direction of the Chief Hydroelectric Plant Operator, the Senior Hydroelectric Plant Operator will monitor, direct, and coordinate with the dispatchers and local maintenance forces, Project Operation Control Center, and the overall operations of Southern Field Division. The incumbent will be required to work rotating shifts with varying days off and will be required to work overtime assignments. The incumbent must have thorough knowledge of the functional characteristics and locations of main and auxiliary equipment. Incorrect decisions or failure to take proper action when required may result in poor system performance, danger to life, loss of revenue, loss of property and prestige to the department. Incumbent must be able to use electronic devices such as a mobile tablet to gather data and capture documentation while performing preventative maintenance work on equipment throughout the state water project. Incumbent will use mobile tablet to perform routine SAP functions such as time recording, reservations and work order notifications.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR

SENIOR HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR $9,203.00 - $11,867.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

2

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Division of Operations and Maintenance, Southern Field Division, Operations Branch, Plant Operations Section, Castaic

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.

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

This is a sensitive position and is subject to substance abuse testing set forth in California Department of Human Resources (Cal-HR) Regulations 599.960-599.966.

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 at least every seven years thereafter.

Must have a valid California Class C license as incumbent will be required to operate automotive vehicles on public roadways, travel to remote areas within the field division is necessary to perform the requirements of this position.

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:

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative and supportive team player who can also effectively work independently, demonstrate initiative, and be a self-starter. The candidate should possess leadership skills and the ability to work effectively with others to promote a positive work environment. The candidate should possess knowledge and experience in the operation of hydroelectric plant generating or pumping facilities; experience with Standing Operating Orders and lockout tagout procedures; high voltage switching operations; Supervisory Control and Data Acquisitions (SCADA) systems; MS Office Suite; SAP or similar programs; and three-way communication.

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.

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.

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.