Summary Report for:
51-8099.04 - 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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Job Openings
Tasks
- Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
- Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.
- Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
- Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.
- Implement load or switching orders in hydroelectric plants, in accordance with specifications or instructions.
- Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
- Install or calibrate electrical or mechanical equipment, such as motors, engines, switchboards, relays, switch gears, meters, pumps, hydraulics, or flood channels.
- Maintain logs, reports, work requests, or other records of work performed in hydroelectric plants.
- 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.
- Operate high voltage switches or related devices in hydropower stations.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Ammeters — Clamp-on ammeters |
| Flow sensors — Water flow meters |
| Hydroelectric engines — Hydroelectric generating units |
| Multimeters — Digital multimeters |
| Turbine engines — Combustion turbines |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Electronic mail software — IBM Lotus Notes; Microsoft Outlook |
| Facilities management software — Computerized maintenance management system CMMS software |
| Industrial control software — Distributed control systems DCS software; Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
Work Values
| Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
| Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. |
| Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Plant and System Operators, All Other.
Employment data collected from Plant and System Operators, All Other.
Industry data collected from Plant and System Operators, All Other.
| Median wages (2012) | $25.55 hourly, $53,130 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 11,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Little or no change (-2% to 2%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 3,700 |
| Top industries (2010) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
