What Does A Hydroelectric Plant Technician Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

Stan T.Career, Overview

Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

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.

Salary
$59600
Becoming One
Medium
Education
Post-secondary certificate
Job Satisfaction
Low
Job Growth
Low

Personality
Interest Match


What they do

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.

  • Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations.
  • Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
  • Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
  • Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Hydroelectric Plant Technicians maintain logs, reports, work requests, or other records of work performed in hydroelectric plants. They 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.
  • Operate hydroelectric plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, or battery banks.
  • Communicate the status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.
  • Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
  • Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Hydroelectric Plant Technicians also connect metal parts or components in hydroelectric plants by welding, soldering, riveting, tapping, bolting, bonding, or screwing. They may also splice or terminate cables or electrical wiring in hydroelectric plants.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Hydroelectric Plant Technicians change oil, hydraulic fluid, or other lubricants to maintain the condition of hydroelectric plant equipment. They might also cut, bend, or shape metal for applications in hydroelectric plants, using equipment such as hydraulic benders or pipe threaders.

In addition, they test and repair or replace electrical equipment, such as circuit breakers, station batteries, cable trays, conduits, or control devices.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.

To some Hydroelectric Plant Technicians, it is also their responsibility to monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Low

Is this job meaningful

Low

61% said they were satisfied with their job and 46% said they found their job meaningful.


Pros

Suitable for people who like practical and hands-on work.

Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.

It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.

Good salary (earns more than 50% of the careers out there).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.

How much do they make

Average salary

$59600 per year

Average hourly wage

$29 per hour

Entry-level Hydroelectric Plant Technicians with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $35,220 to $45,320 per year or $17 to $22 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $83,810 $40
Senior (Top 25%) $71,270 $34
Median $58,960 $28
Junior (Bottom 25%) $45,320 $22
No experience (Bottom 10%) $35,220 $17

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
0%

40 hours
80%

More than 40 hours
19%

Working schedule

67%

27%

6%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
28%

Every day
57%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
39%

Every day
51%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
19%

Every day
71%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
44%

Once a year
41%

Once a month
6%

Once a week
7%

Every day
2%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
10%

Slightly competitive
9%

Moderately competitive
40%

Highly competitive
24%

Extremely competitive
17%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
11%

Once a year or more
13%

Once a month or more
21%

Once a week or more
16%

Every day
40%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
2%

Once a year or more
1%

Once a month or more
26%

Once a week or more
17%

Every day
54%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
1%

Once a year or more
22%

Once a month or more
15%

Once a week or more
21%

Every day
41%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
6%

Once a year or more
34%

Once a month or more
24%

Once a week or more
20%

Every day
16%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Medium
You will need previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Most careers in this difficulty category require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an Associate’s degree, and one or two years of on-the-job training. Similar careers include Travel Agents, Agricultural Technicians, Court Reports, and Medical Assistants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
7%

High School Diploma or equivalent
22%

Post-Secondary Certificate
46%

Some College Courses
3%

Associate’s Degree or similar
16%

Bachelor’s Degree
7%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
0%

Master’s Degree
0%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

No majors found

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
3%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
1%

3 to 6 months
1%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
15%

2 to 4 years
29%

4 to 6 years
41%

6 to 8 years
4%

8 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
5%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
4%

3 to 6 months
1%

6 months to 1 year
25%

1 to 2 years
22%

2 to 4 years
43%

4 to 10 years
4%

Over 10 years
1%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Builder

People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

The Builder
86%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
43%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
14%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
19%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
24%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
52%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
57%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
57%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
43%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
43%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
57%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
43%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ


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