1

Hydroelectric Plant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Be Seen First

Perform routine inspections and preventative maintenance on plant equipment, including grinders, conveyors, valves, motors, blowers, and piping systems. * Record operational data, identify ...

Highlighted Benefits: * Competitive Wages & PTO * Free Wellness Clinic * Premium Free Healthcare Option * 401(k) Match Essential Job Duties: * Mechanically inclined. * Maintain and operate fertilizer ...

Highlighted Benefits: * Competitive Wages & PTO * Free Wellness Clinic * Premium Free Healthcare Option * 401(k) Match Essential Job Duties: * Mechanically inclined. * Maintain and operate fertilizer ...

Rotomolding

Rice Lake, WI ยท On-site

$24/hr

FG Products, Inc. We're hiring Rotomolding team members NOW due to increased demand. If you're reliable, ready to work, want steady hours and a four-day work week, Apply TODAY and tour the facility.

Site Operator

Fergus Falls, MN ยท On-site

$86K - $96K/yr

This position plays a vital role in supporting the reliable operation of hydroelectric generation facilities and the Hoot Lake Plant ash landfill. The successful candidate will perform plant ...

Generation Superintendent- O&M

WA ยท On-site

$139K - $208K/yr

... power plant operations and maintenance at a craft journey level. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in hydroelectric generation operation and/or maintenance; or equivalent combination of ...

Site Operator

Fergus Falls, MN ยท On-site

$86K - $96K/yr

This position plays a vital role in supporting the reliable operation of hydroelectric generation facilities and the Hoot Lake Plant ash landfill. The successful candidate will perform plant ...

Showing results 21-40

Hydroelectric Plant information

See salary details

$53.5K

$86.9K

$115K

How much do hydroelectric plant jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for hydroelectric plant in the United States is $86,897.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,000.00 and $96,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are jobs working at a hydroelectric plant?

Jobs in a hydroelectric plant involve designing, building, operating, and maintaining the systems and equipment that generates electrical energy from moving water. The duties of plant technicians and operators involve ensuring that the hydraulics and other equipment are operating efficiently and making repairs and performing maintenance when needed. As a plant manager, you oversee the operation of the power plant and delegate tasks to plant employees when required. Engineers have responsibilities related to the design of hydroelectric plants and improvements to equipment or processes within the plant. Your duties can change depending on the size and type of plant in which you work.

What is the difference between Hydroelectric Plant vs Hydroelectric Plant Operator?

AspectHydroelectric PlantHydroelectric Plant Operator
Primary RoleFacility for generating electricity from waterManages and controls the operation of the hydroelectric plant
Required CredentialsEngineering degree or technical training in power generationTechnical certifications, training in plant operations
Work EnvironmentPower plant site, often outdoors or in industrial settingsControl room, on-site during shifts, sometimes outdoors
Industry UsageDesign, construction, and maintenance of hydroelectric facilitiesMonitoring plant performance, troubleshooting, ensuring safety

The main difference is that a Hydroelectric Plant is the facility itself, while a Hydroelectric Plant Operator is responsible for running and maintaining the plant's operations. The operator ensures the plant functions efficiently and safely, whereas the plant encompasses the entire infrastructure for power generation.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working at a hydroelectric plant, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals at a hydroelectric plant often encounter challenges such as maintaining equipment reliability, ensuring safety protocols are followed, and responding to unexpected changes in water flow or demand. These challenges can be addressed through regular preventive maintenance, comprehensive safety training, and effective communication within multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, keeping up-to-date with industry regulations and technological advancements helps staff anticipate and manage operational issues more efficiently.

What does a hydroelectric plant do?

A hydroelectric plant generates electricity by using the energy of flowing water. Water from a river or reservoir flows through turbines, causing them to spin and generate mechanical energy, which is then converted into electricity by a generator. Hydroelectric plants are a renewable energy source, as they use the natural water cycle and do not emit greenhouse gases during operation. These plants can vary in size from small community-based facilities to large-scale dams serving entire regions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hydroelectric plant operator?

To thrive as a Hydroelectric Plant Operator, you need strong mechanical aptitude, technical knowledge of power generation systems, and typically a background in electrical or mechanical engineering or relevant technical training. Familiarity with SCADA systems, turbine controls, and safety protocols, along with certifications such as OSHA or power plant operation credentials, is highly valuable. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help operators manage complex systems and respond to emergencies. These abilities are crucial for ensuring continuous, safe, and efficient plant operations while minimizing downtime and hazards.
What cities are hiring for Hydroelectric Plant jobs? Cities with the most Hydroelectric Plant job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Hydroelectric Plant jobs? The most popular types of Hydroelectric Plant jobs are:
What states have the most Hydroelectric Plant jobs? States with the most job openings for Hydroelectric Plant jobs include:
Infographic showing various Hydroelectric Plant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,897 per year, or $41.8 per hour.

Hydroelectric Specialist I (2 positions)

The Metropolitan Water District Of Southern California

Parker Dam, CA โ€ข On-site

$48.38 - $63.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

At the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver reliable water to a region with 19 million people-and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of talented employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible.
This recruitment will be used to build an Eligibility List. This list will be valid for 6 months from the date a candidate accepts the position.
The Metropolitan Water District's Conveyance & Distribution Group currently has two (2) openings for Hydroelectric Specialists I at our Gene Pumping Plant in Parker Dam, California.
Salary:$48.38 - $63.75 per hour
Are you ready to power up your career? We're looking for skilled and motivated Hydroelectric Specialists I to help ensure the reliable, uninterrupted operation of our district's hydroelectric and pumping facilities. This is your chance to put your industrial electrical expertise to work in a hands-on, dynamic environment.
What You'll Do
As a Hydroelectric Specialist I, you'll apply your journey-level electrical skills to:
โ€ข Install, commission, test, maintain, and troubleshoot complex power system equipment.
โ€ข Maintain and repair industrial electrical systems in substations, switchyards, switchgear, motors, generators, and protection systems at pumping plants and other district facilities.
โ€ข Work both independently and as part of a small, skilled team - taking on progressively advanced tasks as your experience grows through on-the-job training.
What You Bring
We're looking for candidates who have hands-on experience and knowledge in:
โ€ข Electrical diagnostic testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting of motors, circuit breakers, protection relays, transformers, and battery systems.
โ€ข Working with specialized test equipment and software from manufacturers such as Doble, Omicron, Vanguard, and Megger.
โ€ข A strong commitment to safety, including working in confined spaces, at heights, and occasionally during extended hours for system shutdowns or emergency repairs.
The Incentive Pay program is set up to provide a Desert Branch Assignment Premium to qualifying employees as follows:
5% for all employees assigned to Gene Camp
This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.
To view the full job description, click here: Hydroelectric Specialist I
Schedule: 4/10, 6:00 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Thursday and alternating every other week to Tuesday through Friday.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience: High school diploma or high school equivalency certificate with a 4 year electrical or mechanical apprenticeship AND 2 years of journey level experience; OR Six (6) years progressive experience related to industrial/utility electrical or mechanical maintenance.
Experience and knowledge as demonstrated by practical application of techniques and practices specific to the operations, maintenance, and repair of hydroelectric plants, pump plants, treatment plants and other facilities. Skills necessary include predictive and diagnostic evaluation of complex utility pump and power equipment using analog and digital test equipment. Also requires basic skills in installation and commissioning, utilizing predictive, preventive and corrective maintenance practices related to industrial/utility maintenance generally obtained through applicable training and experience.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Employees in this position will be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications, licensing and registrations:
โ€ข Valid Driver's license from state of residency equivalent to a California Class A, B, and/or C with appropriate commercial license endorsements
(Valid Driver's license from state of residency equivalent to a California Class C that allows you to drive during the course of your employment is required at time of application.)
โ€ข MWD High Voltage Switching Certification
โ€ข Crane Certification
โ€ข Forklift Certification
โ€ข Respirator Certification
CLOSING
Benefits:
โ€ข Competitive compensation
โ€ข Additional 5% incentive pay for desert location (Gene)
โ€ข Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.
โ€ข Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.
โ€ข Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System
โ€ข Tuition reimbursement
โ€ข Training and advancement opportunities
โ€ข Excellent working environment
For more information on MWD benefits, please use the following link: Benefits Regular FT PT Employees (Represented)
ABOUT MWD
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities, who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please call (213) 217-7738 or email: jobs@mwdh2o.com.
Metropolitan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic(s).
Application Filing Period: Closes at 4:30 pm PT on the date stated in the job announcement. However it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.
Eligibility List*: An eligibility list is a list of qualified candidates created when a job posting states that one will be established.
Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications listed in the original posting and successfully pass all stages of the recruitment process-but are not selected for the initial vacancy-may be placed on this list for future openings.
The list may be used to invite candidates to participate in a selection interview for a future vacancy in the same classification / title (if there is one). The duration of the list depends on the applicable bargaining unit.
Qualifying Experience: Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part-time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.
Sponsorship: Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment-based immigration case).
Keywords For Searching: Hydro 1, Hydro Tech, Relay Technician, Substation Electrician, Protection relay technician, Electrical test technician, I&E technician, Field service technician, High voltage electrician, Electric utility electrician, Electrician journey level, Industrial electrician, Instrumentation Controls technician, Switchgear, Omicron, Doble, Megger, VLF, Alber, Dranetz, Fluke, SFRA, FRA, Sweep frequency response analysis, Frequency response analysis, SF6, DGA, Dissolved gas analysis.
#LI-Onsite