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Hydro Operator Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Bore Locator

Salem, OR · On-site

$24.25 - $30.25/hr

Operate excavation equipment (Mini excavator, trencher, bore machine, hydro-vac, etc) * Walk and confirm bore path with bore operator, spot utilities * Ensure proper clearances to install the product ...

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Showing results 1-20

Hydro Operator information

See Oregon salary details

$13

$22

$47

How much do hydro operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for hydro operator in Oregon is $22.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $24.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Hydro Operator vs Water Treatment Operator?

AspectHydro OperatorWater Treatment Operator
CertificationsHydropower plant certifications, safety trainingWater treatment certifications, safety training
Work EnvironmentHydropower plants, dams, hydroelectric facilitiesWater treatment plants, municipal facilities
Industry UsageEnergy, utilities, renewable resourcesPublic health, municipal services, environmental management

While both roles involve operating water-related systems, a Hydro Operator primarily manages hydroelectric power facilities, focusing on energy production and dam operations. In contrast, a Water Treatment Operator handles water purification processes for municipal or industrial water supplies. Both roles require safety certifications and technical skills but serve different industry needs and environments.

What is the highest paying operator job?

The highest paying operator jobs are often in specialized fields such as offshore oil and gas platform operators, nuclear power plant operators, or industrial plant operators with advanced certifications. These roles typically require extensive experience, technical skills, and sometimes hazardous environment training, leading to higher salaries compared to standard operator positions.

What are some common challenges faced by Hydro Operators in their daily work?

Hydro Operators often encounter challenges such as responding quickly to changes in water flow and demand, troubleshooting mechanical or electrical issues with turbines and generators, and maintaining compliance with environmental regulations. They must remain vigilant to ensure the safe and efficient operation of hydroelectric equipment, especially during periods of extreme weather or peak energy demand. Collaborating effectively with maintenance teams and control room staff is essential to address unexpected issues and prevent downtime.

What Is the Job of a Hydro Operator?

A hydro or hydro-vac operator performs non-destructive excavation around sensitive components, such as utility cables and pipelines. In this career, your duties are to excavate using high pressure water blasting equipment and excavate debris using a special vacuum. Your responsibilities as a hydro operator also include maintaining paperwork to document your hydro-vac jobs, conducting regular inspections of your truck and vacuum, and performing routine maintenance and any needed repairs on your hydro-vac equipment. You must be safety conscious to avoid injury to yourself or others, as the equipment you operate can be dangerous.

How to become a hydroelectric operator?

To become a hydroelectric operator, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with technical training or an associate degree in fields like electrical, mechanical, or industrial technology. Relevant experience in power plant operations, knowledge of control systems, and safety certifications such as OSHA are often required; some positions may also require a state license or certification. On-the-job training is common, and strong problem-solving skills are essential for maintaining and operating hydroelectric equipment safely and efficiently.

What are Hydro Operators?

Hydro Operators are professionals responsible for controlling and monitoring the operation of hydroelectric power plants. They manage the flow of water through turbines to generate electricity efficiently and safely, making adjustments based on demand and environmental conditions. Hydro Operators also perform regular inspections, maintain equipment, and respond to emergencies or system malfunctions to ensure continuous and reliable power generation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Hydro Operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hydro Operator, you need a solid understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, knowledge of power plant operations, and typically a high school diploma or technical certification in a related field. Familiarity with SCADA systems, turbine controls, and regulatory compliance software is commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications ensure the reliable and safe operation of hydroelectric plants, supporting energy production and environmental standards.

What jobs pay 10,000 a month without a degree?

Hydro operators can potentially earn around $10,000 per month with experience, certifications, and working in high-demand industrial or energy sectors. These roles often require technical skills, safety training, and sometimes union membership, but they do not always require a college degree. High-paying positions in skilled trades or specialized fields may also reach this income level without a degree.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

Hydro Operators typically do not earn $2000 a day; such high daily pay is usually associated with specialized roles like offshore drilling managers, senior engineers, or consultants in high-demand industries. These positions often require extensive experience, certifications, and working in challenging environments, and they may involve long shifts or offshore work.
What cities in Oregon are hiring for Hydro Operator jobs? Cities in Oregon with the most Hydro Operator job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Hydro Operator jobs in OR? For Hydro Operator jobs in OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Hydro Operator job openings in Oregon as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $46,979 per year, or $22.6 per hour.
Senior Mechanical Engineer-Hydropower Gates and Locks Specialist

Senior Mechanical Engineer-Hydropower Gates and Locks Specialist

Black & Veatch

Tualatin, OR • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Black & Veatch rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

61st of 352 rated engineering


Job description

Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success.
As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference.
Company : Black & Veatch Corporation
Req Id : 113828
Opportunity Type : Staff
Relocation eligible : Yes
Full time/Part time : Full-Time
Project Only Hire : No
Visa Sponsorship Available: No
Why Black and Veatch
Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity's biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day 1.
Our hybrid environment allows you to balance your work and personal life. At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use.
The Opportunity
In this role you will have the opportunity to lead, design, and manage new and upgraded projects on hydropower systems that may include:
  • Conceptual studies of mechanical equipment related to hydraulic structures, including condition assessments, hydraulic evaluations, & calculations
  • Design of gates for Dams or water conveyance projects, including radial (tainter), drum, crest, and roller gates
  • Large valves for Dam outlets and emergency shutoff of conveyance; In-stream flow (IFR) valves
  • Gate hosts and actuation systems with custom-designed gearing
  • Sector gates and tow haulage for Locks & Dams
  • Fluid power actuation systems, including oil and oil-alternatives
  • Penstock and associated piping
  • Deicing systems such as bubblers
  • Intake screens and trash rakes
  • Gantry and Jib Cranes

The role also involves dam safety inspections related to mechanical equipment and providing input for risk assessment. You may also support hydro turbine unit upgrades and powerhouse balance of plant systems.
The Team
Black & Veatch has delivered hydropower solutions worldwide for more than 40 years. We've produced results on nearly 500 projects and more than 50,000 megawatts in hydropower design. A track record like that can only be achieved by delivering quality results while meeting budgets and schedules. That formula helps us meet the goal we share with all clients - maximum return on their infrastructure investment. We're committed to finding clean, green power alternatives. Our expertise ranges from studies and valuations to optimizing existing operations. We can handle full services for facilities that range from the smallest to the largest in capacity. At the front end, clients rely on us to conduct thorough studies involving overall project management. We provide the full range of design services and construction support, and we ensure that the end product is a model of operating efficiency. Check out our projects HERE!
Key Responsibilities
  • Continues developing knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provides technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
  • Prepares specifications and drawings for complex engineering deliverables for challenging projects.
  • Capable of performing complex research and analysis leading to recommendations for potential solutions. May oversee collection, assimilation, and evaluation of condition data for engineering work. Independently applies advanced engineering techniques and analysis methods. Applies knowledge of standard methods and industry codes.
  • Manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Actively delegates appropriate tasks to lower level team members and reviews their work. Is responsible for one or more of the following: leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
  • Responsible for identifying and communicating key client interests and drivers to project team members and developing approaches. Provides support to business development or pursuit activities.
  • Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area.
  • May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:
    • Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
    • Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
    • Complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing
  • 25+ years of mechanical or systems engineering experience related to locks, dams or water conveyance facilities
  • Experience in finite element analysis (FEA)
  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) license
  • Previous experience in a client facing role

Minimum Qualifications
Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing or equivalent experience in Engineering work. Minimum of 11 years related work experience. All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Holds an active engineering registration or licensure to support engineer of record (EOR) requirements for BV projects in applicable countries, and supports where necessary.
Certifications
Holds an active engineering registration or licensure to support engineer of record (EOR) requirements for BV projects in applicable countries, and supports where necessary.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
  • This position would require working in a typical office environment. The position may entail prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, and the professional would ideally be able to maintain focus and attention to detail throughout the workday. The position may also be require physical tasks during site visits, including crouching, grasping, and standing/walking for extended periods of time.
  • Ability to travel 10% of the time.
  • Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.

#LI-KT1
Salary Plan
REG: Registered Engineering
Job Grade
017
Black & Veatch endeavors to make www.bv.com/careers accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process because of a disability, please contact the Employee Relations Department at +1-913-359-1622 or via our accommodations request form. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only; you may not use this contact information to inquire about the status of applications. General inquiries about the status of applications will not be returned.
Black & Veatch is committed to being an employer of choice by creating a valuable work experience that keeps our people engaged, productive, safe and healthy.
Our comprehensive benefits portfolio is a key component of this commitment and offers an array of health care benefits including but not limited to medical, dental and vision insurances along with disability and a robust wellness program.
To support a healthy work-life balance, we offer flexible work schedules, paid vacation and holiday time, sick time, and dependent sick time.
A variety of additional benefits are available to our professionals, including a company-matched 401k plan, adoption reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, vendor discounts, an employment referral program, AD&D insurance, pre-taxed accounts, voluntary legal plan and the B&V Credit Union. Professionals may also be eligible for a performance-based bonus program.
We are proud to be a 100 percent ESOP-owned company. As employee-owners, our professionals are empowered to drive not only their personal growth, but the company's long-term achievements - and they share in the financial rewards of the success through stock ownership.
By valuing diverse voices and perspectives, we cultivate an authentically inclusive environment for professionals and are able to provide innovative and effective solutions for clients.
BVH, Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliated companies, complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations. Black & Veatch does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.
For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here.
Notice to External Search Firms: Black & Veatch does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Black & Veatch Talent Acquisition engages with search firms directly for hiring needs.

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About Black & Veatch

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Company: Black & Veatch Family of Companies Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success. As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Overland Park, KS, US

Year founded

1915