Life As a Hydroelectric Plant Technician
Career Description 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
- Take readings and record data, such as water levels, temperatures, or flow rates.
- Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
- Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.
- Perform tunnel or field inspections of hydroelectric plant facilities or resources.
- Change oil, hydraulic fluid, or other lubricants to maintain condition of hydroelectric plant equipment.
- Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
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Skills Needed to be 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.
Other Hydroelectric Plant Technician Job Titles
- Hydro Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O&M Technician)
- Operator
- Hydro Plant Technician
- Hydroelectric Plant Installation Technician
- Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic
Is There Job Demand for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians?
In the United States, there were 12,100 jobs for Hydroelectric Plant Technician in 2016. 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. There will be an estimated 1,200 positions for Hydroelectric Plant Technician per year.
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.
Hydroelectric Plant Technician Average Salary
The typical yearly salary for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians is somewhere between $34,580 and $81,750.
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians who work in Alaska, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
How much do Hydroelectric Plant Technicians make in different U.S. states?
| 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 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
How do I Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
What education is needed to be a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
Who Employs Hydroelectric Plant Technicians?
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians work in the following industries:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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