NorthStar

Occupations/51-8013.04

Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation. Operate plant equipment, such as turbines, pumps, valves, gates, fans, electric control boards, and battery banks. Monitor equipment operation and performance and make necessary adjustments to ensure optimal performance. Perform equipment maintenance and repair as necessary.

Certificate or two-year

Usually a certificate, vocational program, or associate degree — not a bachelor’s.

AI automation risk

35%

More resilient

Human characteristics

55%

Balanced human and task mix

Task orientation

44%

Mixed exposure

A day in this job

  • Mostly routine

    Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.

  • Mostly routine

    Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.

  • Mostly routine

    Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.

The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.

Core tasks

  1. 01Monitor hydroelectric power plant equipment operation and performance, adjusting to performance specifications, as necessary.
  2. 02Identify or address malfunctions of hydroelectric plant operational equipment, such as generators, transformers, or turbines.
  3. 03Start, adjust, or stop generating units, operating valves, gates, or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric power generating plants.
  4. 04Perform preventive or corrective containment or cleanup measures in hydroelectric plants to prevent environmental contamination.
  5. 05Inspect water-powered electric generators or auxiliary equipment in hydroelectric plants to verify proper operation or to determine maintenance or repair needs.
  6. 06Communicate status of hydroelectric operating equipment to dispatchers or supervisors.

Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)

  • Repeating same tasks2.92
  • Degree of automation2.16
  • Time sitting2.38
  • Originality (ability)2.50
  • Conflict situations3.01
  • Hands-on objects/tools3.66
  • Outdoors / weather3.62
  • Disease exposure1.43
  • Decision freedom3.83

Top abilities

  • Problem Sensitivity3.88
  • Near Vision3.88
  • Information Ordering3.75
  • Control Precision3.75
  • Oral Comprehension3.62
  • Deductive Reasoning3.62
  • Selective Attention3.50
  • Inductive Reasoning3.50

Essential skills

  • Reading Comprehension3.25
  • Active Listening3.12
  • Writing3.00
  • Speaking3.12
  • Mathematics3.00
  • Science2.38
  • Critical Thinking3.88
  • Active Learning3.00
  • Learning Strategies2.62
  • Monitoring3.62

CIP matches

15.1702Power Plant Technology/Technician15.1705Hydroelectric Energy Technology/Technician

Schools offering related programs

10 shown

Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.

InstitutionProgramTuitionAdmitGrad 6-yrEarnings

Rochester Community and Technical College

Rochester, MN · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$6,200100%33%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported

Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, MN · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$6,200100%38%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported

Ridgewater College

Willmar, MN · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$6,100100%36%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported

Minnesota West Community and Technical College

Granite Falls, MN · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$6,000100%37%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported

Iowa State University

Ames, IA · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$10,40090%77%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported

Arizona State University Campus Immersion

Tempe, AZ · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$12,00090%69%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Master's · CIP 15.17

Anoka Technical College

Anoka, MN · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$6,300100%48%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported

Lake Superior College

Duluth, MN · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$5,900100%38%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported

Columbus State Community College

Columbus, OH · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$4,800100%25%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported

Macomb Community College

Warren, MI · Public

Power Plant Technology/Technician

15.1702

$4,200100%22%

1 yr —

2 yr —

Not reported