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Hydro Power Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AMS Ameren Services

Hydro Plant Technician

Lake Ozark, MO · On-site

$60.69/hr

Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for our 1.2 million electric and 132,000 ... with plant procedures and requirements. Monitor, start and stop Hydro Units and keep Management ...

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How much do hydro power plant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for hydro power plant in the United States is $39.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.38 and $46.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a hydro power plant?

A hydro power plant is a facility that generates electricity by using the energy of flowing or falling water to spin turbines, which then drive generators to produce electrical power. These plants can be built on rivers, dams, or other water sources with sufficient flow or height difference. Hydroelectric power is a renewable, clean source of energy, contributing significantly to global electricity production. It offers the advantages of low operational costs and the ability to quickly adjust output to meet energy demand. However, building hydro power plants can impact local ecosystems and communities near the water source.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hydro power plant operator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Hydro Power Plant Operator, you need a solid understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, power generation processes, and safety protocols, typically backed by a technical diploma or relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with SCADA systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and industry certifications such as a Power Engineering Certificate is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the plant, minimizing downtime and maintaining energy output.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in a hydro power plant, and how can they prepare for them?

Professionals in a hydro power plant often encounter challenges such as maintaining complex mechanical and electrical systems, responding to unexpected equipment failures, and ensuring compliance with strict safety and environmental regulations. Working in shifts, especially during peak demand periods, can also be demanding. To prepare, candidates should develop strong troubleshooting skills, a solid understanding of industry safety standards, and the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams. Ongoing technical training and staying current with regulatory changes are also key to long-term success in this field.

What is the difference between Hydro Power Plant vs Hydroelectric Engineer?

AspectHydro Power PlantHydroelectric Engineer
Primary RoleFacility that generates electricity from waterDesigns and develops hydroelectric systems and projects
Required CredentialsEngineering degree, technical certificationsEngineering degree, specialized in hydro systems
Work EnvironmentPower plants, industrial sitesOffice, field sites, project sites
Industry UsagePower generation industryRenewable energy and engineering sectors

While a Hydro Power Plant is a facility that produces electricity from water, a Hydroelectric Engineer is a professional who designs, plans, and oversees the development of hydroelectric projects. Both roles require engineering credentials and work within the renewable energy industry, but one is a physical site, and the other is a technical role involved in project development.

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Cities with the most Hydro Power Plant job openings:

What states have the most Hydro Power Plant jobs?

States with the most job openings for Hydro Power Plant jobs include:

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The top searched job categories for Hydro Power Plant jobs are:

Hydro Power Plant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hydro Power Plant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,563 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Owner's Representative - Hydro Power Plant Construction Manager

Ethos Distributed Solutions

Golden, CO • On-site

$165K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Serve as the Owner's on-site representative for all construction activities.

  • Monitor construction activities to verify compliance with approved drawings, specifications, permits, and contract requirements.

  • Review contractor requests for information (RFIs), change orders, claims, and schedule recovery plans.

Job description

Description
Pay: $165,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year
Job description:
Position Summary
The Owner's Representative Hydro Power Plant Construction Manager acts as the Owner's on site representative during the engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and
turnover phases of hydroelectric power projects. This role provides independent oversight of all
civil, mechanical, electrical, and hydro-mechanical construction activities to ensure that the EPC
contractor delivers the project safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with
contract requirements, design specifications, and industry standards.
The Construction Manager serves as the primary liaison between the Owner, EPC contractor,
Engineer of Record, equipment suppliers, commissioning team, regulatory agencies, and other
project stakeholders. The successful candidate will possess broad multidisciplinary experience
across hydroelectric infrastructure and demonstrate strong leadership in contract administration,
quality assurance, risk management, and construction oversight.
Essential Responsibilities
Owner Representation
  • Serve as the Owner's on-site representative for all construction activities.
  • Protect the Owner's commercial and technical interests throughout project execution.
  • Monitor EPC contractor performance against contractual obligations.
  • Provide independent assessments of project progress, quality, safety, and schedule.
  • Identify construction risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
  • Review contractor requests for information (RFIs), change orders, claims, and schedule

recovery plans.
  • Support project governance through accurate reporting and executive briefings.

Construction Oversight
  • Monitor construction activities to verify compliance with approved drawings,

specifications, permits, and contract requirements.
  • Coordinate field activities between engineering, procurement, construction,

commissioning, and operations teams.
  • Verify construction sequencing and interface management across disciplines.
  • Ensure contractor compliance with approved construction methodologies.
  • Participate in daily coordination meetings and weekly project reviews.
  • Review contractor work plans, look-ahead schedules, and resource loading.

Civil Construction Oversight
Monitor construction of:
  • Dams and embankments
  • Spillways
  • Intake structures
  • Diversion tunnels
  • Headrace tunnels
  • Surge tanks
  • Penstocks
  • Powerhouses
  • Tailrace structures
  • Access roads
  • Structural concrete
  • Foundations
  • Grouting operations
  • Geotechnical stabilization
  • Drainage systems

Verify compliance with design tolerances, quality standards, and geotechnical recommendations.
Mechanical Construction Oversight
Monitor installation and testing of:
  • Francis, Kaplan, or Pelton turbines
  • Generators
  • Penstocks
  • Butterfly and spherical valves
  • Gates and hoists
  • Cooling water systems
  • Lubrication systems
  • Fire protection systems
  • Auxiliary mechanical equipment
  • Pumps
  • HVAC systems
  • Compressed air systems
  • Cranes and lifting equipment

Verify mechanical alignment, tolerances, testing procedures, and manufacturer installation
requirements.
Electrical Construction Oversight
Monitor installation and commissioning of:
  • Power generators
  • Excitation systems
  • Transformers
  • GIS/AIS switchyards
  • High-voltage substations
  • Protection and control systems
  • SCADA systems
  • Instrumentation
  • Relay protection
  • Communication systems
  • Grounding systems
  • Cable installations
  • Emergency power systems
  • Grid interconnection facilities

Review electrical testing, energization plans, and commissioning documentation.
Quality Assurance
  • Verify contractor compliance with project quality plans.
  • Witness inspections, factory acceptance tests (FATs), and site acceptance tests (SATs).
  • Participate in hold-point inspections.
  • Review Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs).
  • Monitor non-conformance reports (NCRs) and corrective actions.
  • Verify completion of punch-list items.
  • Ensure turnover documentation is complete and accurate.

Health, Safety & Environmental Oversight
  • Promote a proactive safety culture across the project.
  • Verify contractor compliance with OSHA and applicable regulations.
  • Participate in safety audits and field inspections.
  • Review incident investigations and corrective actions.
  • Monitor environmental compliance and permit conditions.
  • Support implementation of environmental management plans.

Schedule & Cost Monitoring
  • Review Primavera P6 schedules and contractor progress reports.
  • Validate earned value and construction progress.
  • Identify schedule risks and recommend recovery actions.
  • Review contractor payment applications.
  • Support evaluation of change orders and claims.
  • Monitor budget performance and cost forecasting.

Contract Administration
  • Assist the Owner in administering EPC, design-build, and construction contracts.
  • Review requests for change, delay claims, and variations.
  • Document field issues and maintain project records.
  • Coordinate contract correspondence.
  • Participate in dispute avoidance and resolution.
  • Ensure contractor compliance with contractual milestones.

Commissioning & Project Turnover
  • Coordinate mechanical completion activities.
  • Verify commissioning readiness.
  • Witness functional testing and performance testing.
  • Participate in reliability runs.
  • Support final acceptance and commercial operation.
  • Verify completion of turnover documentation, as-built drawings, and O&M manuals.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering,

Construction Management, or a related technical discipline.
  • Minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible construction experience on large

infrastructure or power generation projects.
  • At least 10 years of hydroelectric or heavy civil construction experience.
  • Demonstrated experience serving as an Owner's Representative, Owner's Engineer,

Resident Engineer, or Senior Construction Manager on EPC projects.
Technical Expertise
The ideal candidate demonstrates working knowledge across all major hydroelectric systems.
Civil
  • Dam construction
  • Underground works
  • Concrete structures
  • Earthworks
  • Rock excavation
  • Geotechnical engineering
  • Hydraulic structures

Mechanical
  • Turbines and generators
  • Hydromechanical equipment
  • Penstocks
  • Large rotating equipment
  • Valves and gates
  • Pumps and piping systems
  • Mechanical commissioning

Electrical
  • Power generation
  • High-voltage substations
  • Transmission interconnections
  • Protection and control
  • SCADA systems
  • Instrumentation
  • Generator synchronization
  • Electrical commissioning

Leadership Competencies
  • Strong technical judgment across multiple engineering disciplines.
  • Ability to influence contractor performance without direct supervisory authority.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
  • Contract interpretation and negotiation experience.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Effective conflict resolution and decision-making skills.
  • Commitment to safety, quality, and ethical project execution.

Preferred Experience
  • Greenfield hydroelectric power projects
  • Dam rehabilitation and modernization
  • Pumped-storage hydroelectric facilities
  • Underground powerhouse construction
  • FIDIC, NEC, and EPC contract administration
  • Utility-scale renewable energy projects
  • International construction projects
  • High-voltage transmission and substations

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
  • Contractor safety performance
  • Construction quality compliance
  • Schedule adherence and milestone achievement
  • Cost control and change order management
  • Contract compliance
  • Timely issue resolution
  • Successful commissioning and project turnover
  • Environmental and regulatory compliance
  • Stakeholder satisfaction
  • Complete and accurate project documentation

Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Company truck
  • Dental insurance
  • Fuel card
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

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