Occupation · SOC 51-8013.04
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
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.
Median wage
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Projected growth
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Annual openings
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per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceCritical ThinkingOperation and ControlMonitoringRepairingTroubleshootingReading ComprehensionSpeakingJudgment and Decision MakingActive ListeningWritingTime ManagementQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisEquipment SelectionService OrientationLearning StrategiesInstructingPersuasionScienceInstallationNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Material ResourcesTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingOperations Analysis
Knowledge areas
MechanicalPublic Safety and SecurityMathematicsEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingDesignEnglish LanguageComputers and ElectronicsPhysicsBuilding and ConstructionAdministration and ManagementProduction and ProcessingLaw and GovernmentTransportationTelecommunicationsAdministrativeCustomer and Personal ServiceGeographyChemistryPersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaPsychologyEconomics and AccountingMedicine and DentistryBiologyHistory and ArcheologyTherapy and CounselingSales and MarketingPhilosophy and TheologySociology and AnthropologyFood ProductionForeign LanguageFine Arts
Technology & tools
Computerized maintenance management system CMMSDistributed control system DCSIBM Lotus NotesMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WordSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Controlling Machines and ProcessesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsGetting InformationRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsHandling and Moving ObjectsDocumenting/Recording InformationProcessing InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkWorking with ComputersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentTraining and Teaching OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsScheduling Work and ActivitiesJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationAssisting and Caring for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Plant equipment gauges and performance displays — read and interpret under direct supervisor guidance during scheduled monitoring rounds at a hydroelectric generating facility.Generator, transformer, and turbine identification — recognize and label major components following labeled diagrams and plant orientation materials during initial on-site training.Generating unit startup and shutdown checklists — follow step-by-step written protocols under close technician supervision in a hydroelectric power plant control room.Spill containment materials and cleanup procedures — assist in applying preventive measures under direct instruction during routine environmental compliance drills at the plant site.Auxiliary equipment visual inspections — conduct walkaround checks of pumps, fans, and battery banks using standardized inspection forms with a senior technician present.Equipment status reports — communicate basic operational observations verbally to an on-shift supervisor using standard plant terminology during normal operating conditions.High-voltage switchgear safety boundaries — recognize and observe required clearance distances under direct oversight while accompanying qualified personnel in hydropower switchyards.Electric control board settings — observe and record panel readings under supervision, comparing values to posted operating specifications in the plant control room.Maintenance work orders and technical manuals — read and comprehend assigned sections to support equipment care tasks under guidance in a plant maintenance environment.Spreadsheet and facilities management software — enter routine equipment readings and maintenance log entries under direction using plant-issued computers and standardized templates.
developing
Hydroelectric plant equipment performance — monitor continuously and adjust operating parameters independently to meet performance specifications during regular production shifts.Generator and turbine malfunctions — identify common fault indicators and initiate corrective actions using plant troubleshooting guides with minimal supervisor consultation.Generating unit operations — start, adjust, and stop units and associated valves and gates in correct sequence with limited oversight during normal and scheduled load-change events.Environmental containment protocols — execute preventive and corrective spill-response procedures independently, documenting actions in compliance logs after routine and minor incidents.Water-powered generator and auxiliary equipment inspections — conduct thorough scheduled inspections, noting deficiencies and recommending maintenance or repair needs to supervisors.Dispatcher and supervisor communications — relay accurate, timely equipment status updates via radio and electronic mail using established reporting formats during operational transitions.High-voltage switches and related devices — operate safely and accurately following switching orders in hydropower substations with awareness of system isolation requirements.Turbines, pumps, valves, and electric control boards — operate the full complement of plant equipment competently across routine daily tasks in an active hydroelectric generating plant.Troubleshooting procedures — apply systematic diagnostic reasoning to isolate mechanical or electrical faults using plant schematics and technical documentation in production environments.Maintenance scheduling and time management — prioritize and complete preventive maintenance tasks within assigned timeframes using facilities management and work-order software tools.
proficient
Equipment performance deviations — autonomously analyze trends across generators, turbines, and transformers and implement corrective adjustments to restore specification compliance in the plant.Complex equipment malfunctions — diagnose and resolve non-routine faults in generators, transformers, and turbines by applying advanced troubleshooting reasoning and engineering documentation.Generating unit control sequences — execute and verify complete startup, load adjustment, and shutdown operations across multiple units during peak-demand or emergency operating conditions.Environmental incident response — lead containment and remediation efforts for significant spill or contamination events, coordinating resources and completing regulatory documentation.Comprehensive plant equipment inspections — evaluate operational status and maintenance urgency of all generation and auxiliary systems, producing detailed condition assessments and repair plans.Cross-functional operational communications — provide clear, technically precise status briefings to dispatchers, engineering staff, and management across multiple communication channels during critical events.High-voltage switching operations under abnormal conditions — execute complex switching sequences independently to isolate faulted equipment and restore system reliability in hydropower substations.Integrated plant control systems — operate and fine-tune turbines, pumps, valves, gates, control boards, and battery banks collectively to optimize plant output across variable water-flow conditions.Quality control analysis — evaluate maintenance and operational data using spreadsheet software to identify recurring deficiencies and recommend systemic equipment or procedural improvements.Technical documentation and reports — author comprehensive maintenance records, incident reports, and operational procedures to support compliance and institutional knowledge retention at the plant.
advanced
Plant-wide performance standards — set and enforce operating specifications for all generating units and auxiliary systems, driving continuous improvement across the full hydroelectric facility.Malfunction prevention strategies — develop predictive maintenance programs for generators, transformers, and turbines that reduce unplanned outages and extend equipment service life at the organizational level.Operational control frameworks — design and approve unit startup, adjustment, and shutdown procedures and ensure all technicians are trained and qualified to execute them safely.Environmental compliance programs — establish plant-wide spill-prevention, containment, and remediation policies that meet or exceed regulatory requirements across all operational scenarios.Inspection and assessment protocols — author and periodically revise comprehensive inspection standards for all plant equipment, integrating engineering and regulatory best practices.Stakeholder and regulatory communications — represent the plant in technical discussions with grid operators, regulatory agencies, and senior management, translating operational data into strategic decisions.High-voltage switching safety governance — develop, review, and approve switching order procedures and safety rules governing substation operations for all plant personnel.Technology integration and control system advancement — evaluate and lead adoption of new industrial control software and automation tools to improve plant reliability, efficiency, and safety.Workforce development and mentorship — design training curricula and competency assessments for emerging and developing technicians, building departmental capability across skill levels.Complex problem-solving leadership — lead cross-functional teams in resolving major operational or infrastructure challenges, applying engineering and management judgment to protect plant reliability and public safety.
Also known as
26 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Communications and Instrumentation Mechanic (C and I Mechanic)Hydro MechanicHydro OperatorHydro Plant Technician (Hydro Plant Tech)Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech)Hydroelectric Machinery MechanicHydroelectric MechanicHydroelectric Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O and M Technician)Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Tech)Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance WorkerHydroelectric OperatorHydroelectric Plant ElectricianHydroelectric Plant Installation Technician (Hydroelectric Plant Installation Tech)Hydroelectric Plant MechanicHydroelectric Plant Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Plant O and M Tech)Hydroelectric Plant OperatorHydroelectric Plant Technician (Hydroelectric Plant Tech)Hydroelectric Production Technician (Hydroelectric Production Tech)Hydroelectric Systems Technician (Hydroelectric Systems Tech)Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician)Plant MechanicPlant Operations WorkerPower Plant MechanicPower Plant OperatorPower Plant Technician (Power Plant Tech)Traveling Operator