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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Hydro Plant Technician, Hydro Technician, Hydroelectric Mechanic, Hydroelectric Operations and Maintenance Technician (Hydro O and M Technician), Hydroelectric Plant Technician, Operations and Maintenance Technician (O and M Technician), Plant Mechanic, Power Plant Mechanic, Power Plant Operator, Power Plant Technician
Occupation-Specific Information
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.
Technology Skills
- Electronic mail software:IBM Lotus Notes,Microsoft Outlook
- Facilities management software:Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Industrial control software:Distributed control system DCS,Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
- Internet browser software:Web browser software
- Office suite software:Microsoft Office
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Controlling Machines and Processes:Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials:Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment:Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings:Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Detailed Work Activities
- Assemble electromechanical or hydraulic systems.
- Assemble temporary equipment or structures.
- Clean work areas.
- Connect supply lines to production equipment or tools.
- Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.
Work Context
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets:99% responded"Every day"
- Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable:74% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:71% responded"Every day"
- Consequence of Error:67% responded"Extremely serious"
- Exposed to Hazardous Conditions:65% responded"Every day"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Operations Monitoring:Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Operation and Control:Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Equipment Maintenance:Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Monitoring:Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Knowledge
- Mechanical:Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Mathematics:Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Public Safety and Security:Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Engineering and Technology:Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Physics:Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 46%Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
- 22%High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
- 16%Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
- 7%Bachelor's Degree
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- Problem Sensitivity:The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
- Deductive Reasoning:The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
- Inductive Reasoning:The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
- Near Vision:The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Information Ordering:The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Interests
- Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Investigative:Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Values
- 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.
- 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.
Work Styles
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Independence:Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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