Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
.jpg)
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.
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.
Freedom to make decisions
How much decision making freedom does this job offer?
Structured vs unstructured work
To what extent is this job structured for you versus allowing you to determine your own tasks, priorities, and goals?
Featured Schools
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
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
Average hourly wage
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 range | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $40 | $83,810 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $34 | $71,270 |
| Middle (Mid 50%) | $28 | $58,960 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $22 | $45,320 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $17 | $35,220 |
.jpg)
What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
Work with group or team
How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
Deal with external customers
How important is it to work with customers in this job?
Manage or lead others
How important is it to coordinate or lead others in completing work activities in this job?
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Frequency of conflict situations
How often are there conflict situations in this job?
Dealing with angry people
How often do you have to deal with angry, unpleasant, or discourteous individuals in this job?
Dealing with physically aggressive people
How often do you have to deal with physically aggressive people in this job?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
Repetition in this job
How important is repeating the same type of task over and over in this job?
Impact of decisions on co-workers or company results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the reputation or financial resources of your employer?
Frequency of decision making
How frequently do you have to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the reputation of the company?
Responsibility for others’ health and safety
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
Responsibility for outcomes and results
How much responsibility is there for the work outcomes and results of other workers?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
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.
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.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Don’t know which career to pursue?
Take the career quiz to find careers that match your personality type.
Take The Career Quiz
