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Hydroelectric Plant Technician

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What Do Hydroelectric Plant Technician Do?

Job Description & Duties 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.

List of Hydroelectric Plant Technician Job Duties

  • Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
  • Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions.
  • Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks.
  • Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
  • Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
  • Erect scaffolds, platforms, or hoisting frames to access hydroelectric plant machinery or infrastructure for repair or replacement.

Qualities of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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.

Types of Hydroelectric Plant Technician Jobs

  • Plant Mechanic
  • Hydroelectric Plant Operator
  • Hydroelectric Plant Operation and Maintenance Technician
  • Hydroelectric Plant Installation Technician
  • Hydroelectric Plant Electrician

What Kind of Hydroelectric Plant Technician Job Opportunities Are There?

There were about 12,100 jobs for Hydroelectric Plant Technician in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

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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.

What is the Average Salary of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

The salary for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians ranges between about $34,580 and $81,750 a year.

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

How much do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians make in each U.S. state?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $53,280
Alaska $65,360
Arizona $54,740
Arkansas $52,910
California $69,480
Colorado $50,910
Connecticut $65,360
Florida $53,060
Georgia $42,540
Hawaii $68,500
Idaho $63,100
Illinois $63,770
Indiana $60,160
Iowa $62,060
Kansas $66,380
Kentucky $53,540
Louisiana $54,610
Maine $44,000
Maryland $60,260
Massachusetts $63,710
Michigan $62,000
Minnesota $67,770
Mississippi $58,280
Missouri $56,330
Montana $60,360
Nebraska $41,410
Nevada $59,180
New Jersey $62,690
New Mexico $53,040
New York $63,550
North Carolina $57,370
North Dakota $52,260
Ohio $52,440
Oklahoma $52,740
Oregon $58,800
Pennsylvania $55,250
South Carolina $57,790
Tennessee $55,980
Texas $52,850
Utah $53,520
Virginia $62,820
Washington $68,600
West Virginia $54,870
Wisconsin $64,240

What Tools & Technology 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
  • Web browser software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • IBM Lotus Notes
  • Distributed control system DCS

Becoming a Hydroelectric Plant Technician

Learn what Hydroelectric Plant Technician education requirements there are.

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Who Employs Hydroelectric Plant Technicians?

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

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References:

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More about our data sources and methodologies.

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