Powerplant Operator

Full Job Description

Reclamation is seeking a career professional looking for an opportunity to capitalize on their expertise as a Powerplant Operator.

Make a difference in the West by assisting in meeting increasing water demands while protecting the environment.

Duty Location: Hungry Horse, Montana https://www.usbr.gov/pn/about/hr/area-information.html Your application materials must demonstrate sufficient experience and training to perform the duties of this position without more than normal supervision.

Qualifications will be determined on the basis of information submitted within your resume and responses to the assessment questions.

For information about qualifications for Federal Wage System positions please, visit OPM. Minimum qualifications for trades and labor positions are determined by evaluation of job elements.

You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements in order to be considered qualified for this position.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

You must meet all Eligibility and Qualification requirements, including any selective placement factors if applicable, by 03/05/2026. Major Duties:

- Operates hydroelectric generators by starting, stopping and controlling as necessary to meet water or power requirements.

Performs electrical switching in power plants and switch yards at voltages up to 230kv.

- Operates turbine control gates, voltage regulators and other auxiliary equipment normally associated with power generation, effecting change in generation and plant conditions.

- Operates electro-mechanical systems, supervisory control equipment, communications equipment (voice radios, microwave radios and standard telephone equipment) and computer terminals.

- Controls water release equipment, such as ring follower gates, hollow jet valves, ring gate, in combination with generators to control river flow at the facility.

- Uses defined standards such as those found in Facilities, Instructions, Standards and Techniques (FIST) documents, Reclamation Safety and Health Standards (RSHS), OSHA, National Electric Code (NEC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), etc.

to ensure compliance with programs for the safe, efficient, technically sound operations and maintenance of powerplant equipment and systems.