Hydroelectric Operator (Skagit)

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

Generation Operations is recruiting Hydroelectric Operators for its Skagit Hydroelectric Project.

The Hydroelectric Operator will operate a hydroelectric plant and related equipment and coordinates activities affecting the operation and safety of the hydroelectric plant, dams, waterways, and workers. You will need knowledge of generation, transmission and distribution systems, the operation of equipment used in these systems, emergency action plans, safety procedures, and the hazards of working in dams and powerhouses.

• Operates and monitors electric, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment which includes valves, spill gates, generators, and other equipment related to operating a hydroelectric plant.

• Ensures worker safety when malfunctions occur.

• Safely operate a boats day or night and in poor weather conditions

• Receives switching orders, clearances, keep opens and hold opens for Generators, High voltage transmission systems and local distribution systems. Recommends when plant equipment may be taken out of service.

• Receives instructions for power plant operations from dispatchers at the System Operations Center in Seattle, WA.

• Inspects powerhouses, dams, switchyards and equipment; notifies appropriate personnel when abnormal conditions exist or when equipment needs repairs, maintenance, and/or replacement.

• Inspects and operates high voltage equipment.

• Maintains logs pertaining to installation, maintenance activities, operations, metering, and instrumentation status activities.

• Prepares and updates reports such as the Daily Visual Dam Surveillance Report, National Weather Service Daily Observation Reports, and Powerhouse Inspection Reports.

• Participate and contribute to assigned special projects.

• Hydroelectric Operator II’s train Hydroelectric Operator I’s to operate a hydroelectric plant and related equipment as well as coordinating activities affecting the operation and safety of the hydroelectric plant, dams, waterways, and workers.

• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has:

Education/Experience: Two years’ experience in the electrical trade or as a Hydroelectric Operator (or a combination of education, and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

• Current Washington State Driver’s License

• Obtain a boater safety card.

• Normal sense of smell, hearing and color vision

• In emergency situations, may be required to be on call 24 hours/day.

• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, holidays and/or rotating