Hydro Operator - Helms

Requisition ID # 161290 

Job Category: Maintenance / Construction / Operations 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Operations - Other

Work Type: Onsite

Job Location: Shaver Lake

Department Summary

PG&E’s Power Generation Department manages and operates the largest privately-owned hydroelectric system in the nation. These renewable electric generation resources, located mostly at high elevation in California mountain ranges including the Sierra Nevada and southern Cascade mountains include 68 powerhouses, 184 miles of canals, 41 miles of flumes, 135 miles of tunnels, 19 miles of penstocks, 99 reservoirs, and 142,000 acres of watershed lands all covered by 26 operating licenses issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

Position Summary

This is an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1245 represented classification, which has over 100 years of experience representing employees at PG&E.  This job is subject to collective bargaining.

Hydro Operators are responsible for safely operating, monitoring, and maintaining hydro- electric equipment and facilities, which include waterways, reservoirs, dams, and powerhouses.

This position will be a six-week rotating schedule, working both days and nights as a 12 hour shift 0600-1800 and 1800-0600.

**Offers for this position will be contingent upon review and approval by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC)**

PG&E is providing the hourly rate range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job.  The actual hourly rate paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreement, and internal equity. Although we estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed towards the middle or entry point of the range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors. ​

Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the starting hourly rate range for this position is $76.45 to $79.41 (2025 wages), subject to collectively bargained wage increases.

All employees assigned to the Helms Pumped Storage Project shall be paid the established Helms Powerhouse premium rate of 5 percent above each step of the respective classification's basic wage rate for the first year and 7.5 percent above the basic wage rate for such classification after one year in the classification at Helms.  Accordingly, such individuals employed at the Helms facility shall be considered as resident employees.  Such employees shall be required to have the knowledge and capability of performing normal and emergency operating functions at the Helms Project.  Furthermore, such employees may be assigned to a shift schedule in accordance with the provisions of Section 202.17 of the Physical Agreement due to irregular water or plant conditions.

            Pursuant to the provisions of Section 202.11 of the Physical Agreement, such employees at the Helms Project may be required to work a schedule of ten consecutive workdays with four consecutive days off.  Helms' classifications will also be required to reside at Company residences adjacent to Helms for the first two years in the job and pay the established Company housing rent.  They will also be required to ride in a helicopter.  Furthermore, the terms and conditions set forth in Company's letter to Union date August 14, 1981 shall be in effect for all individuals employed at the Helms Powerhouse Project as follows:

            1.         Company Owned Housing (Helms)

                        The established rent is currently $70 per month and is subject to change by bargaining between the parties.  The residences will be equipped with telephones, and the current plans are to provide PT&T restricted one plus dialing lines for each residence.  The residences will be equipped to receive TV broadcasts.

            2.         Emergency Transportation

                        Company will make every effort to provide the employees and their families with emergency transportation via helicopter.  If winter weather conditions prohibit the use of helicopters, alternate transportation will be provided which will include emergency transportation and medical supplies.  Weather permitting, there will be regularly scheduled trips to Helms throughout the year.

            3.         Additional Classifications (Helms)

                        It is anticipated that intermittent employees will be needed in the classifications of Cook, Cook's Helper, and Housekeeper.  It is intended that the members of employees' families will be considered for these classifications if they so desire and if they have the necessary qualifications.

            4.         Helms Project Rate

                        When it is necessary to utilize electric and hydro operating classifications at Helms, the appropriate rate of pay will be the highest System Operator rate established for the Hydro Generation Department.

Responsibilities:

-Receive and/or review job assignments; communicate with previous shift workers to review previous shift status, communicate clearances, identify work and modifications to job status; use computer and visually scans control board to identify abnormal operating conditions from previous shift; use computer to access, receive and process job requests; confirm submitted clearance points are valid and accurate for ongoing and future work.

-Scan control board and computer screens to monitor and observe equipment status and operation, access by employees to remote hydro facilities, and work being performed; uses computer to update and modify equipment status and operations; operate toggles, switches, and handles on operational control board to update and modify equipment status, operations, and access facilities; serve as gatekeeper for employees and visitors wanting to access or requesting permission to work at hydro facilities; identify and request information, support, and resources to keep equipment operating and support workers at hydro facilities; post documents, notes, and information on communication and operational control boards.

-Use phone, cell phone, radio, and face-to-face interaction to interface with supervisor, co-workers, internal departments, contractors, and vendors regarding safety, equipment installation, jobsite work, repairs, and project schedule timelines; use walkie-talkie (hand radios) to communication with co-workers; sends, receives, and respond to computer email.

-Use computer to record time cards, inspection results, and equipment measurements; access electronic on-line manuals, catalogs, and standards; update drawing to reflect work performed; use handwriting to compile lists for materials and equipment; use computer to create, input, and update job work orders in the SAP database system; create and file documents and materials; collate and compile standard, procedures, and bulletins; use and operate copy, fax, and printer machines; use computer to input, update, and maintain equipment operation and facility activities in ODMS Log database.

-Use hand tools (i.e. wrenches and pliers) to perform minor maintenance to facility operation and equipment; use chain hoists to open and close roll-up doors; locks gates at remote hydro facilities as needed; move deck plates to access equipment as needed; install locks and tags to take equipment and machinery out of service; adjust nuts, bolts and screws on equipment and machinery as needed; open and close values, switches, and controls on equipment and machinery; use ladders and catwalks to access equipment.

-Verify and ensure that electrical clearance points have been opened, locked and tagged; wear 100 calorie switching suit and use high voltage testing equipment to conduct switching activities; use hot stick (long pole) to operate disconnects, switches, and install tags.

-Access ladders and catwalks to inspect equipment and machinery to assure proper operation; conduct walk around inspection of hydro electrical installations; documents and records inspection results; walk around and visually observes battery conditions and operation.

-Load, unload, and carry equipment, materials and supplies from delivery area, storage area, and other locations to ensure powerhouse is stocked; operate and use a pallet jack to move supplies and equipment as needed; use hand cart to transport oil barrels and nitrogen bottles within the powerhouse facility.

-Maintain work area in clean and safe order; sweeps, mops, and vacuums floor work surface within the powerhouse facility; pick up trash and debris and dispose of them; use rags and absorbent material to clean up oil and other types of spills within the powerhouse; label small containers filled with household chemicals and oils; label and dispose of hazardous waste material as needed; use shovel to clear walkways and spread snow melt material at stairways, entry doors, on paths to weather station, and between power houses when necessary; perform janitor duties of cleaning toilets and sinks in bathroom, appliances, and stocking paper supplies; perform kitchen duties of cooking for crew and washing dishes when needed.

-Attend and participate in meetings that include Safety, job site tailboards, crew, all-hands, and company-wide; attend and participate in training that includes: safety, ethics and compliance, job developmental, and company-required; reads, review and maintain up-to-date knowledge on work practices, procedures, and safety bulletins; attend quarterly mandated training for 10 hours and annually mandated training for one day

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must possess a High School diploma, GED or equivalent work experience
• Must possess a valid California Driver’s License or equivalent
• Ability to work in all types of weather extremes
• Ability to drive safely in all weather and road conditions
• Ability to work extended hours, nights, weekends and holidays, and various work schedules
• Must be able to wear company provided Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Must be able to lift a 250-pound oil barrel a minimum of one time a day with another person or by using a handcart
• 2 years working experience operating or maintaining a power generating facility
• Ability to reside at PG&E-owned housing close to or on remotely located job site
• Ability to work shift schedule

Desired Qualifications:

• 10 years’ experience as a power plant operator
• Familiarity with lock out tag out (LOTO)
• NERC Certification
• Hydro Electric Generation experience
• SCADA experience
• PLCs, Combined Cycle, Steam, Biomass, and Co-Generation plant operator experience
• Working experience operating or maintaining a power generating facility
• A Journey-level certification in a technical discipline (electrician, electrical machinist, mechanic, electrical technician, operator or similar technical field).
• Use of a mobile two-way radio
• Relevant Hiring Hall experience
• Relevant PG&E Experience
• Previous Military experience

Pre-Employment Testing:

• Physical Test Battery
• Work Orientation Inventory-Physical/Technical Driving
• Console Operator Basic Requirements Assessment (COBRA)

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 thePre-employment testing programwebsite.

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