About This Career

Manages operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintains and monitors hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

This career is part of the Business Management and Administration cluster Operations Management pathway.

A person in this career:

• Directs operations, maintenance, or repair of hydroelectric power facilities.
• Identifies and communicates power system emergencies.
• Maintains records of hydroelectric facility operations, maintenance, or repairs.
• Monitors or inspects hydroelectric equipment, such as hydro-turbines, generators, or control systems.
• Performs or directs preventive or corrective containment or cleanup to protect the environment.
• Supervises or monitors hydroelectric facility operations to ensure that generation or mechanical equipment conform to applicable regulations or standards.
• Inspects hydroelectric facilities, including switchyards, control houses, or relay houses, for normal operation or adherence to safety standards.
• Plans or coordinates hydroelectric production operations to meet customer requirements.
• Checks hydroelectric operations for compliance with prescribed operating limits, such as loads, voltages, temperatures, lines, or equipment.
• Develops or implements projects to improve efficiency, economy, or effectiveness of hydroelectric plant operations.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Overtime work
• Rotating shift work
• Weekend work