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Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker

What is a Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker?

Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Workers are responsible for the preventive care, inspection, maintenance, and repair of water-powered electrical generators. This applies to a wide range of equipment, including electric motors, diesel engines, switch gears, pumps and hydraulics, water transmission systems, and flood channels.

The career outlook for a hydroelectric operations maintenance worker is excellent. They make on average $17-$29 dollars an hour.

The Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker regularly inspects, calibrates, and services all this equipment, providing repairs and upgrades when necessary. They need to be able to identify potential mechanical malfunctions, operational errors, and other potential production disturbances, and head them off. Of course, being able to quickly troubleshoot and repairing any problems that do occur is a big part of the job.

What Are the Qualifications for a Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker?

A college degree is not necessary for this position, but it always helps. An Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in engineering (mechanical or electrical) or the physical sciences correspondingly increases your chances of landing such a job.

More important are the knowledge, skills, and experience with this type of equipment. A program leading towards plumping, electrical, or mechanical contractor's license is one route. There are such programs available at community colleges, vocational or trade schools, or through apprenticeship programs in the various trade unions.

Finally, there is not substitute for experience in the field or in related fields. If you can read and understand electrical and hydraulic instrumentation or are familiar with the materials, tools, equipment, and methods of working with hydraulics, electricity, or mechanics, that is a big bonus toward your earning a Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker position.

What Type of Person Is Good for This Position?

Someone with an electrical and mechanical aptitude will find this position enjoyable. The ability to analyze and troubleshoot problems with different types of equipment is important. If you are comfortable with routine, safety conscious, and are organized and meticulous, then this is a job you will excel at.

Hydroelectric Operations Maintenance Worker Resources

*The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence through Solar, Wind, Biomass and Hydropower (Mother Earth News Wiser Living)
*2009 Ultimate Guide to Hydropower, Hydroelectric Power, Dams, Turbine, Safety, Environmental Impact, Fish Passage, Impoundment, Pumped Storage, Diversion, Run-of-River (Ringbound and CD-ROM)
*Hydropower Developments: New Projects, Rehabilitation, and Power Recovery (IMechE Conference Transactions)
*The Micro-Hydro Pelton Turbine Manual: Design, Manufacture and Installation for Small-Scale Hydro-Power

Hydropower Jobs

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