What You'll Do

  • 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.

Essential Skills

Critical Thinking 3.88/5
Operations Monitoring 3.88/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.88/5
Operation and Control 3.75/5
Monitoring 3.62/5
Repairing 3.5/5
Troubleshooting 3.38/5
Reading Comprehension 3.25/5
Active Listening 3.12/5
Speaking 3.12/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.12/5
Writing 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Attention to Detail, Integrity, Analytical Thinking, Dependability, Independence

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Problem Sensitivity 3.88/5
Near Vision 3.88/5
Information Ordering 3.75/5
Control Precision 3.75/5
Oral Comprehension 3.62/5
Deductive Reasoning 3.62/5
Inductive Reasoning 3.5/5
Selective Attention 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Computerized maintenance management system CMMS Distributed control system DCS IBM Lotus Notes Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software Web browser software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.62/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.43/5)
  • Analytical Thinking (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.34/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 4.29/5)

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How to Become One

This career typically requires vocational school, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some specialized training or certification may also be required.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Communications and Instrumentation Mechanic (C and I Mechanic) Hydro Mechanic Hydro Operator Hydro Plant Technician (Hydro Plant Tech) Hydro Technician (Hydro Tech) Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic Hydroelectric Mechanic Hydroelectric Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O and M Technician) Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Tech) Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker Hydroelectric Operator Hydroelectric Plant Electrician Hydroelectric Plant Installation Technician (Hydroelectric Plant Installation Tech) Hydroelectric Plant Mechanic Hydroelectric Plant Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydroelectric Plant O and M Tech) Hydroelectric Plant Operator Hydroelectric Plant Technician (Hydroelectric Plant Tech) Hydroelectric Production Technician (Hydroelectric Production Tech) Hydroelectric Systems Technician (Hydroelectric Systems Tech) Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician) Plant Mechanic Plant Operations Worker Power Plant Mechanic Power Plant Operator Power Plant Technician (Power Plant Tech) Traveling Operator