Hydroelectric Plant Technicians

Employers

Approximately 72,400 people are employed in the U.S. hydropower industry, according to the National Hydropower Association (NHA). Hydroelectric plant technicians work in hydropower plants that are located throughout the United States. Large hydropower projects are run by the federal electric utilities and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation (https://www.usbr.gov) and the Army Corps of Engineers (https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/hydropower), and nonfederal hydropower dams are licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Energy Information Administration reports that the states with the largest hydroelectric generation are Washington, California, Oregon, New York, Alabama, and Montana.

Starting Out

Hydroelectric plant technicians often get their start through an apprenticeship or work-study program while they are in school. Ask your school's career services office for help with finding apprenticeship and entry-level job listings. Professional associations such as the National Hydropower Association also provide career-support resources and opportunities to help aspiring technicians learn about employment openings in hydropower plants. Check the job board at https://careers.hydro.org/jobseekers. Technicians also find jobs by contacting hydroelectric power plants directly and by searching job listings on employment Web sites such as LinkedIn.com, Indeed.com, and SimplyHired.com, among others.