Occupation · SOC 11-3051.06
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.
Median wage
$121,440
$74,900–$197,310
Projected growth
+1.9%
Slower than average
Annual openings
460
per year
Employed (US)
234,380
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,214 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementManagement of Personnel ResourcesCritical ThinkingLearning StrategiesComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningWritingCoordinationSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisService OrientationPersuasionOperations MonitoringInstructingSocial PerceptivenessScienceQuality Control AnalysisOperation and ControlNegotiationMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingEquipment MaintenanceRepairingProgrammingOperations AnalysisEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignInstallation
Knowledge areas
MechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyComputers and ElectronicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesEducation and TrainingMathematicsLaw and GovernmentDesignAdministrativePhysicsProduction and ProcessingPsychologyBuilding and ConstructionEconomics and AccountingCustomer and Personal ServiceTelecommunicationsGeographyChemistryCommunications and MediaSociology and AnthropologyTherapy and CounselingMedicine and DentistryTransportationBiologySales and MarketingHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Apache KafkaComputerized maintenance management system CMMSDistributed control system DCSEmail softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft WordMicrosoft operating systemOracle DatabasePersonnel scheduling softwareSAP softwareStructure query language SQLSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareVMwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDocumenting/Recording InformationGetting InformationCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsScheduling Work and ActivitiesWorking with ComputersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesProcessing InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCoaching and Developing OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesTraining and Teaching OthersEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersThinking CreativelyRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming General Physical Activities
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Hydroelectric equipment components — identify and label under direct supervisor guidance at an entry-level facility walkthrough.Daily operations log entries — record under supervision using facility management software at a hydroelectric plant.Safety standards and protocols — recognize and follow when conducting initial inspections of control houses and relay houses.Power system status indicators — monitor basic readings on control panels under close direction during a scheduled shift.Hydro-turbines and generators — observe and document visual condition under a senior manager's oversight during routine rounds.Environmental containment procedures — assist in executing pre-approved cleanup protocols under direct supervision at a plant site.Oral instructions from supervisors — receive and confirm understanding using active listening skills during daily shift briefings.Spreadsheet software and office suite tools — enter operational data into pre-formatted templates under guidance in a plant control room.Emergency communication checklists — review and rehearse with a trainer to recognize power system emergency indicators.Regulatory standards documentation — read and summarize assigned sections under supervision to support compliance awareness.
developing
Routine inspection rounds of switchyards and control houses — conduct independently and document findings using facilities management software.Hydroelectric facility operations records — maintain accurately and consistently with minimal oversight using database and spreadsheet software.Preventive maintenance schedules — coordinate with maintenance crews to ensure timely completion at a mid-sized hydroelectric facility.Generator and control system performance — monitor against established benchmarks and flag deviations to senior staff during normal operations.Power system emergencies — identify anomalous conditions and initiate established communication protocols with limited supervisor direction.Environmental containment activities — perform and document corrective cleanup actions in compliance with plant environmental standards.Customer generation requirements — review and adjust daily production scheduling to meet standard demand targets under general supervision.Small work crews — assign tasks and track progress using time management practices during routine maintenance windows.Industrial control software — navigate and interpret operational data to support shift decision-making in a hydroelectric control room.Written shift reports — compose clear and accurate summaries of equipment status and operational events for facility management review.
proficient
Full-scope hydroelectric facility operations — direct and oversee across all shifts autonomously, ensuring conformance with applicable regulations and safety standards.Non-routine equipment malfunctions in hydro-turbines or generators — diagnose using critical thinking and deductive reasoning and authorize corrective repair actions.Power system emergency response — lead identification, internal communication, and coordination with external agencies without supervisory escalation.Environmental protection programs — design and execute containment and remediation procedures that meet regulatory requirements at the facility level.Production operations planning — analyze customer load requirements and align hydroelectric output scheduling to meet contractual commitments.Personnel resources — evaluate individual performance, assign specialized roles, and deploy staff effectively to sustain safe and efficient plant operations.Comprehensive facility inspections — conduct detailed assessments of relay houses, switchyards, and mechanical systems and produce formal findings reports.ERP and facilities management software — use advanced features to integrate maintenance histories, work orders, and compliance records across plant systems.Complex operational problems — apply systems analysis and inductive reasoning to identify root causes and implement lasting solutions in a hydroelectric environment.Regulatory and legal frameworks — interpret applicable laws and government standards and integrate requirements into standing operating procedures.
advanced
Hydroelectric production strategy — set long-term operational direction and performance targets aligned with organizational and grid reliability goals.Cross-functional management teams — lead and develop supervisors and technical staff through structured instruction and individualized learning strategies.Organization-wide safety and compliance culture — establish standards, conduct audits, and drive continuous improvement across multiple hydroelectric facilities.Capital maintenance and repair programs — prioritize, authorize, and oversee large-scale projects affecting turbines, generators, and associated control infrastructure.Emergency preparedness frameworks — design and institutionalize response protocols for power system emergencies that integrate with regional grid operators.Stakeholder communication — represent the hydroelectric program to executives, regulators, and customers using polished oral and written expression.Systems evaluation methodology — lead periodic assessments of the full generation and control architecture to identify systemic performance gaps and improvement opportunities.Enterprise resource planning platforms — direct configuration and utilization of ERP systems to optimize workforce, asset, and production data across the organization.Environmental stewardship policy — develop and champion organization-level containment and sustainability programs that exceed regulatory minimum standards.Workforce capability development — design and implement training curricula and competency assessment programs that build hydroelectric operations talent at all levels.
Also known as
17 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Demand Generation ManagerGeneration ManagerHydroelectric Generation Manager (Hydro Generation Manager)Hydroelectric Generation Supervisor (Hydro Generation Supervisor)Hydroelectric Plant Site Manager (Hydro Plant Site Manager)Hydroelectric Production ManagerHydroelectric Station ChiefHydroelectric Station Supervisor (Hydro Station Supervisor)Plant ManagerPlant Site LeaderPower Plant SuperintendentPower Plant SupervisorPower Project ManagerProduction ManagerRenewables Project ManagerWater and Hydroelectric Services DirectorWater Utility Plant Manager