What Do Hydroelectric Plant Technician Do?
Occupation 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.
Life As a Hydroelectric Plant Technician: What Do They Do?
- Maintain or repair hydroelectric plant electrical, mechanical, or electronic equipment, such as motors, transformers, voltage regulators, generators, relays, battery systems, air compressors, sump pumps, gates, or valves.
- Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
- Take readings and record data, such as water levels, temperatures, or flow rates.
- Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations.
- Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.
- Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.
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Skills Needed to be a Hydroelectric Plant Technician
Below is a list of the skills most Hydroelectric Plant Technicians say are important on the job.
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.
Types of Hydroelectric Plant Technician Jobs
- Hydro Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O&M Technician)
- Power Plant Operator
- Plant Mechanic
- Power Plant Technician
- Power Plant Electrician
Job Demand for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 12,100 jobs in the United States for Hydroelectric Plant Technician. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,200 job openings in this field each 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.
What is the Average Salary of a Hydroelectric Plant Technician
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians make between $34,580 and $81,750 a year.
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians who work in Alaska, Washington, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Hydroelectric Plant Technicians 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 & 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
What education or degrees do I need to become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
What work experience do I need to become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician?
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians Sector
Below are examples of industries where Hydroelectric Plant Technicians work:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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