Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

Career summary

Hydroelectric plant technicians are also known as hydroelectric plant mechanics.

Hydroelectric plant technicians make adjustments to ensure the correct amount of water flows through valves and gates to produce the correct amount of power. They work with machines such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks.

Technicians perform regular check-ups on equipment and make repairs. If necessary, they install new equipment. They maintain records of how the plant performs, what parts they maintain, and any repairs they make. They regularly talk with supervisors and other technicians about problems with equipment, or how equipment is running.

Hydroelectric technicians perform different tasks on the job, including:

• Welding
• Working on high voltage systems
• Operating forklifts or cranes to lift heavy loads
• Using scaffolds, ropes, and ladders to inspect dam and water tunnels

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Boilermakers
• Electrical and Electronics Engineers
• Engineering Technicians
• Hydroelectric Production Managers
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Manufacturing Production Technicians
• Mechanical Engineers
• Millwrights
• Power Plant Operators

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to hydroelectric plant technicians.

• Operate switches and other devices. Start, adjust, and stop equipment.
• Identify and fix problems with equipment such as generators, turbines, or transformers.
• Inspect equipment to determine maintenance needs.
• Take measures to prevent environmental contamination.
• Operate equipment such as turbines, pumps, gates, fans, and batteries.
• Talk to dispatchers or supervisors about how equipment is running.
• Monitor energy performance of equipment.
• Take readings and record data.
• Install equipment, such as motors, engines, gears, meters, and hydraulics.
• Maintain logs and reports of work performed.
• Use cranes and hoists to move heavy equipment. Put up scaffolds and platforms.

Common work activities

Hydroelectric plant technicians perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Make decisions and solve problems
• Control machines and processes
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Document and record information
• Evaluate information against standards
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Handle and move objects
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Process information
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Think creatively
• Analyze data or information
• Use computers
• Teach others
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Schedule work and activities
• Provide information or drawings about devices, equipment, or structures
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Develop and build teams
• Coach others
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Assist and care for others
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Communicate with people outside the organization

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, hydroelectric plant technicians:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They communicate by phone, e-mail, and in person on a daily basis.
• Write letters and memos on a monthly basis.
• Usually work as part of a team.
• Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are responsible for the work done by other technicians.

Physical work conditions

• Work indoors and outdoors. Indoor locations may not have heating or cooling.
• May use a car, truck, or van while on the job.
• Work physically close to others, such as when sharing office space or working on equipment together.
• Are exposed to loud sounds and noise levels on a daily basis.
• Often work in very bright or dim lighting conditions.
• Are regularly exposed to contaminants.
• Often get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces.
• Sometimes must climb to high places to perform job duties.
• Are regularly exposed to hazardous conditions and equipment. Minor cuts may occur.
• Always wear safety and protective equipment.

Work performance

• Must be exact and accurate when performing the job. Mistakes can be costly.
• Regularly make decisions that strongly impact their organization and coworkers. They may check in with managers first, but often must make decisions about equipment in the moment.
• Repeat the same physical and mental activities.
• Set most of their daily tasks and goals independently.
• Work in a moderately stressful environment.
• Must meet strict weekly deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Work a set schedule.
• Usually work full-time.

Physical demands

Hydroelectric plant technicians frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Walk or run for long periods of time.
• Bend or twist their body.
• Kneel, stoop, crouch, or crawl.
• Repeat the same movements.

It is important for hydroelectric plant technicians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for hydroelectric plant technicians to be able to:

• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.

Skills and abilities

Hydroelectric plant technicians need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Hydrology and Water Resources Science
• Water Resources Engineering

Other programs of study to consider

• Building Maintenance
• Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair
• Electrical and Power Transmission
• Heavy Equipment Operations
• Industrial Mechanics
• Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Plumbing and Water Supply
• Welding Technology

Training

To work as a hydroelectric plant technician, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete an apprenticeship program or long-term on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Many hydroelectric plant technicians learn their skills through an apprenticeship training program. Admission to apprenticeship programs is competitive. To apply for an apprenticeship, you must:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• be at least 18 years old; and
• be in good physical condition.

Apprenticeship programs usually consist of four years of on-the-job training. You are paid for the time you spend on the job. In addition, each year you receive at least 144 hours of classroom training.

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities in your area, consult the US Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information  website.

You can prepare for an apprenticeship by taking courses at a professional-technical or two-year school. Courses in general math and blueprint reading prepare students to enter apprenticeship programs. However, these courses are not required to qualify for an apprenticeship.

On-the-job training

Some hydroelectric plant technicians learn their skills informally on the job. In this case, you learn skills from an experienced worker. Training usually takes several years.

Washington apprenticeships

In Washington, to enter the apprenticeship program, applicants should:

• be at least 18 years old and be able to show proof of age via a birth certificate;
• have a high school diploma or equivalent with transcript;
• be physically able to do the work of the trade;
• be willing to complete all required course work and follow the rules set up by the local apprenticeship committee; and
• be willing to take drug and alcohol tests each year.

For further information on apprenticeships in Washington, contact:

Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
Apprenticeship Program 
PO Box 44530
Olympia, WA 98504-4530
360.902.5320

Helpful high school courses

You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements . You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Algebra
• Blueprint Reading
• Computer Applications
• Electricity
• Equipment Maintenance and Repair
• Introduction to Mechanics

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Experience working with machines, welding, pipefitting, plumbing, or electrical systems is good background for this occupation.

Costs to workers

Some workers are required to join a union and pay an initiation fee and dues.

Wages

#Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for hydroelectric plant technicians. However, this occupation is part of the larger group called "all other plant and system operators." 

#Added these statements 11/1/16 cj.

Pay varies with the worker's level of education, responsibility, and experience. Salaries vary greatly by employer and plant size. Pay also varies depending on the employer and the area of the country.

Hydroelectric plant technicians who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan. 

National wage information is not available specifically for hydroelectric plant technicians. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other plant and system operators."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Utility companies
• Local, state, and federal government-sponsored power plants

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is expected to show little to no change. The increased use of renewable energy may create some jobs. 

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for hydroelectric plant technicians. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other plant and system operators."

Other resources

Chelan County PUD Apprenticeships 

Electric League of the Pacific Northwest 
PO Box 50633
Bellevue, WA 98015
425.646.4727

International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials 
4755 East Philadelphia Street
Ontario, CA 91761
909.472.4100

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 
901 D Street SW, Suite 930
Washington, DC 20024
202.488.2200

Seattle City Light Apprenticeship Program 
206.386.1603

US Department of Energy 
(Renewable energy information - hydropower)

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

Welding.com 

References

Career cluster

• Manufacturing

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Hydroelectric Plant Technicians (51-8099.04) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Hydroelectric-machinery Mechanic (631.261-010) 
• Hydroelectric-machinery-mechanic Helper (631.364-010) 
• Powerhouse Mechanic (631.261-014) 
• Powerhouse-mechanic Apprentice (631.261-018) 
• Powerhouse-mechanic Helper (631.684-010) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled