Hydro Utility Operator

About the Role

This is an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245 represented classification, subject to collective bargaining. This position is a DOT (Department of Transportation) covered classification and is subject to random drug and/or alcohol screening.

A Hydro Utility Operator routinely patrols, monitors, surveys, and inspects the condition of PG&E's hydroelectric assets, ensuring water flow and level remain unobstructed and in compliance. This role involves maintaining, cleaning, patrolling, testing, and making minor repairs to equipment associated with PG&E's hydroelectric assets.

The hourly rate range for this position is $36.96 to $57.02, subject to collectively bargained wage increases. The actual rate will be based on factors such as skills, education, experience, and internal equity.

Responsibilities

• Maintains buildings and grounds associated with PG&E's hydroelectric assets.
• Assists in performing routine tests on automatic equipment and maintaining/installing measuring devices.
• Cleans, patrols, maintains, makes minor repairs to, and may assist in adjusting the flow and level of water in canals, flumes, gates, tunnels, siphons, penstocks, gauging stations, canal alarms, spill channels, trash rakes, fish ladders, fish screens, dams, reservoirs, and related facilities and equipment.
• Assists in regulating water diversions to customers.
• Drives (company/personal) vehicle on designated inspection routes in all traffic and weather conditions, day or night.
• Patrols, monitors, surveys, and inspects hydroelectric assets including dams, reservoirs, forebays, water conveyance structures, dwellings, roads, bridges, public safety signs, fall protection equipment, and other assets. Assesses vegetation and erosion conditions that may affect safe and reliable operation.
• Inspects equipment that may have been damaged by natural causes, vandalism, accidents, or storms using foot, vehicle, boats, helicopters, drones, or UTVs. Uses sight, hearing, and smell to monitor assets and views instruments such as lighted panel boards and monitors.
• Identifies, documents, and reports damages to structures caused by vandalism, natural causes, storms, or accidents. Investigates causes and extent of service interruptions, water clarity, and turbidity of waterways.
• Communicates with supervisors, switching centers, coworkers, site foremen, crew members, homeowners, and the public regarding safety, emergent conditions, and other findings.
• Works in all weather conditions, walking, climbing, bending, kneeling, or squatting to access structures and equipment. Uses flashlights or headlamps in dark spaces.
• Records field notes on site locations, findings, hazards, deficiencies, proposed solutions, and estimated repair timelines. Uses detailed notes for incident reporting and documentation.
• Uses computers or mobile devices to schedule, track, and identify routine and corrective work; writes summaries and reports; creates and assigns corrective work; attends remote meetings; compiles, files, and mails reports; and plans routes.
• Attends daily tailboard meetings to learn safety guidelines and potential hazards. Participates in training and procedural meetings.
• Uses hand tools and power tools to repair roads, canals, tunnels, ditches, flumes, water collection systems, pipelines, and related water systems. Cleans canals, ditches, roads, dams, and water gates. Operates controls to regulate power production, temperature, and water flow.
• Fuels vehicles and measures/pre-mixes oil and fuels for tools and equipment.
• Operates heavy equipment such as snow-cats, UTVs, boats, and drones based on qualifications.
• Provides on-the-job training, orientation, and assistance to other crew members. Attends training classes and meetings.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class A California Driver's License Permit by Day 1 of hire.
• Must possess and maintain a valid DMV Medical Card by Day 1 of hire.
• Must possess a High School diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
• Ability to work around bodies of water and from a helicopter.
• Ability to work in all types of weather extremes and drive safely in all weather and road conditions.
• Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends, holidays, and various work schedules.
• Must be able to wear company-provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Ability to lift 50 pounds or more.
• Ability to work in remote areas alone and in locations with possible exposure to poison oak, snakes, spiders, bees, mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents.
• Ability to maneuver on steep and/or uneven terrain.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of work experience in a water system or hydroelectric, power generation environment.
• Demonstrated experience with basic hand and power tools used in the commercial construction industry.
• 1+ years of experience in the operation of mechanized equipment associated with this work.
• Part 107 drone certification license.
• Demonstrated experience with Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Excel, and Word.
• Basic SAP work management experience.
• Live within 25-50 miles of the service territory.

Pre-Employment Testing

PG&E Employees: You must have qualified on all prerequisite tests prior to submitting an application; and all secondary tests prior to interviewing. For more information on prerequisite and secondary exams, including study guides, please visit the Pre-employment testing program website.

• Industrial Skills Test
• Physical Test Battery