Hydroelectric Power Operation Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description

Pay:$165,000.00 - $180,000.00 per year

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.

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.

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.

Monitor construction of:

• Dams and embankments
• Spillways
• Intake structures
• Penstocks
• Powerhouses
• Tailrace structures
• Access roads
• Foundations
• Grouting operations
• 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
• 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:

• 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.
• Participate in dispute avoidance and resolution.
• Ensure contractor compliance with contractual milestones.
• Coordinate mechanical completion activities.
• 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

• Underground works
• Earthworks
• Geotechnical engineering
• Hydraulic structures

Mechanical

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

Electrical

• High-voltage substations
• Transmission interconnections
• Protection and control
• SCADA systems
• Instrumentation
• Electrical commissioning
• 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
• Complete and accurate project documentation