Hydroelectric Plant Technician

Course Advisor is seeking a Hydroelectric Plant Technician in Washington, DC. The role involves monitoring and controlling hydropower generation activities, operating plant equipment, performing maintenance and repairs, and ensuring optimal performance. Key skills include operation monitoring, critical thinking, and equipment maintenance. The job outlook is stable, with an average salary ranging from $34,580 to $81,750. This position requires on-site presence at the hydroelectric plant.
Life As a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

Hydroelectric Plant Technician Example:
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?

These are the skills Hydroelectric Plant Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:
• 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.
Job Outlook for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 12,100 jobs in the United States for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians. 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 Technicians by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,200 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians 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?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Hydroelectric Plant Technicians may use on a daily basis:
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software
• Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
• IBM Lotus Notes
• Distributed control system (DCS)
How to Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

What kind of Hydroelectric Plant Technician requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?

The table below shows the approximate number of Hydroelectric Plant Technicians employed by various industries.
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