Is becoming a hydroelectric plant technician right for me?
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How to become a Hydroelectric Plant Technician
A hydroelectric plant technician must have completed high school or passed the general equivalency (GED) exam. Prior experience working with industrial machines and technology is also useful. Applicants to technical positions should have an associate's or bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, computer science, information technology or a similar field; training as an electrician is helpful for any open positions requiring interaction with live electronics.
Hydroelectric plant technicians rely heavily on electronic equipment; applicants to these positions should be familiar with computers and, if possible, with the specific software programs the plant uses. Training new hires to use the computer equipment is a lengthy, tedious and expensive proposition; companies are often motivated to hire employees who already have some level of familiarity in that area.
A hydroelectric plant technician uses technology to communicate and learn. Records, checklists and databases can be accessed via laptop or smartphone; however, it's important to understand that water and electronics don't mix, so it may be sometimes necessary to write important notes and measurements by longhand and type them up later, far away from the water.