Hydro Plant Technician

About Ameren Missouri

Ameren Missouri has been providing electric and gas service for more than 100 years, and our electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. Ameren Missouri's mission is to power the quality of life for our 1.2 million electric and 132,000 natural gas customers in central and eastern Missouri. Our service area covers 64 counties and more than 500 communities including the greater St. Louis area

Position(s): 1

Hourly Rate Range: $60.69

Area/Div: 0308

Revision Date: 7/19/01

DUTIES:
Often working alone or under indirect supervision, working on a rotating shift or day schedule as required, to do a general range of power plant operation, electrical, mechanical and control systems work. Operating work includes items such as: (not all duties apply to all plants)
• Operating the main electrical control system of the Hydro generating stations and associated substations, together with their auxiliary equipment
• To start, stop, load and unload the various items of electrical equipment in accordance with directions from the Power and Transmission Dispatcher's offices
• To perform or direct switching and other corrective operations, in the event of emergency conditions affecting the Plant or Sub Stations
• Immediate responsibility at times for the working direction of an apprentice or trainee.
• Monitor remote indications and displays of operating equipment and initiate actions in response to abnormal conditions.
• Initiate emergency response procedures.
Electrical work includes items such as generators, voltage regulator rheostats, exciters, buses and bus duct, transformers, circuit breakers, switches, power circuits, magnetic contactors, motors, motor starters, batteries, plant lighting, conduit, wiring, boxes, supports, and hangers.
Mechanical work includes items such as machine work, welding, plumbing, rigging, sheet metal, carpentry work, metal spray, manipulating spill gates, head gates and stop logs.
Control system work includes items such as calibration and adjustment of transmitters and transducers, troubleshooting using programmable logic controllers (PLC), and using the SCADA system.
In this connection, to perform or direct the performance of details of work, such as:
• Apprise Management of any irregular conditions having been reported or observed.
• Through SCADA or from the VCC's, control, monitor, load and unload the main and house generator units and associated auxiliary equipment, in accordance with plant operating conditions and procedures, also in accordance with system requirements received from the Power and Transmission Dispatchers.
• Control, monitor, start and stop various plant equipment and systems in accordance with plant procedures and requirements.
• Monitor, start and stop Hydro Units and keep Management informed of any irregular conditions that may develop.
• Automatic or manual synchronization of generators and lines.
• Write switching orders and issue protection for WPA on all equipment of the assigned unit, and give directions to insure that proper safety measures are observed.
• Perform switching, or direct others to perform switching, under written and verbal orders, on all equipment of the assigned unit, including disconnect switching in the 138 and 34.5KV substations, 13.8KV electric bay, 2.3KV switchgear, 460V switchgear, 125v AC and DC circuits and other primary and secondary switching as required.
• Control system voltage as directed by the Transmission Dispatcher.
• Accurately and legibly record all required operating data including totaling generation, utilizing this data as needed to operate the equipment properly.
• Make regular and special inspections of operating equipment in accordance with plant procedures or as required.
• Record and reset relay targets in the event of automatic trip-out of equipment.
• Periodically or occasionally compile special operating data, and take special readings as required.
• Maintain all required logbooks and forms.
• Perform general housekeeping throughout the plant.
• In absence of supervision, direct efforts to restore service and equipment in emergencies.
• Maintain proper oil levels in bearings and governor oil tanks.
• Correct, or report for correction, any faulty operation of equipment.
• Operate pumps, compressors, unwatering valves, and oil, water, grease and air valves as needed or required.
• Inspect and refill first aid kits and supplies.
• Take water samples.
• Activate the fire suppression systems when needed.
• Monitor and maintain proper record keeping for lake and river elevations.
• Work from schematics, other drawings, and sketches.
• Use portable tools and instruments including but not limited to voltmeters, ammeter, phase meter, ohmmeter, megger, strobe lights, tachometer, fluke, oscilloscope, lap top computer, etc.
• Troubleshoot energized electrical and control systems.
• Install electrical instruments, controls, conduit, wiring, hangers, supports, boxes, breakers, motors, and motor controls.
• Make special or routine inspections of circuit breakers, exciters, elevators, batteries, battery trucks, lighting, alarms, instrumentation, PLCs, motors and starters, electric welders, air conditioners, and other power plant electrical equipment and controls.
• Check (including Workman’s Protection Assurance where appropriate) to insure that equipment to be worked on has been properly isolated and protected. On energized equipment, take steps to insure that proper safety devices are in use and understood before work starts.
• Obtain required materials from storeroom.
• Perform labor and porter type work.
• Set up rigging and operate lifting equipment.
• Erect and work from scaffolds.
• Operate and/or use mobile equipment, shop equipment, portable power tools, hand tools and test equipment as required to accomplish assigned jobs.
• Prepare reports of work done accompanied by sketches, if necessary; complete such forms or input data into a computer as may be required.
• Work alone or in combination with other classifications when assigned.
• Inspect, repair, and maintain all types of mechanical equipment such as piping, valves, governors, pumps, compressors, bearings, cranes, hydraulic controls, and similar equipment.
• Make and repair tools and parts.
• Operate metal lathe, pipethreader, drill press, and other shop equipment as required.
• Operate equipment such as dump truck, tractor, forklift, etc.
• Metal spray and repair pitted turbine blades.
• Repair and adjust bearings of various types.
• Perform mechanical work in connection with maintenance of generators, turbines, exciters, transformers, and circuit breakers.
• Repair and clean oil lines and tanks, and filter lubricating oil.
• Raise and lower head gates to turbine units and gates on dam.
• Maintain and operate electric and other powered cranes.
• Maintain and operate electric rail locomotive and cars, and repair railroad track as required.
• Maintain air compressors, pumps, and air, water, oil and steam heating lines.
• Operate and maintain air system on dam for limiting ice pressures on gates of dam.
• Remove driftwood in gate room and forebay.
• Make repairs to gates of dam.
• Perform building maintenance work.
• Maintain and operate miscellaneous gasoline and diesel engine powered equipment and boats. Repair and maintain small engines and marine engines.
• Maintain and operate plant steam heating boiler and sewage treatment facility.
• Perform pipefitting and carpentry work as required.
• Operate acetylene, electric arc or other welding/heating/cutting torches.
• When necessary, check for explosive gases before operating torches.
• Paint, paper, make alterations in, and repair company facilities.
• Perform repair work on boats.
• Repair furniture, doors, and locks.
• Sand blast and paint head and crest gates.
• Clean and paint penstocks and draft tubes.
• Use spray-painting equipment in painting penstocks, head gates, crest gates, transformers, gantry cranes, houses and other buildings where spray methods are applicable.
• Paint, by brush method, doors, windows, floors, walls, furniture and boats.
• Replace main unit thrust and guide bearings.
• Clean high voltage insulators and bus supports in plant, and clean high voltage insulators and bus supports from machine to lines.
• Operate power wood band saw and circular saw.
• Drive truck or car, conveying materials, tools, and men from job to job.
• Perform similar and less skilled work as assigned.

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
In absence of supervision, the HPT is the key link in directing efforts in the implementation of Emergency Action Plans, Spill Control and Countermeasure Plans, and fire fighting.
For initiating contact with and call out of personnel to respond to operating conditions or emergencies at assigned and other plants.
For operating stability of service to the extent of the effect that the Generating Station may have on the total system operation.
In emergencies involving electrical failures, for initiating measures to restore or maintain service, at such times exercising their judgment as to the remedial measures and the operation of the station and associated substations with only general principles and standard practice as a guide.
For the assigned group of station control equipment, to the extent of the possibility of preventing costly damage that would result in the case of faulty operating sequence, as well as the responsibility for detecting incipient damage to equipment, but this responsibility is considerably limited by the extent of protective relays and other automatic devices installed.
In emergencies, for segregating defective apparatus quickly and accurately or for applying available reserves in order to utilize the special effect of the Plants in maintaining system balance.
For care and accuracy in all switching and synchronizing operations.
For safety of others, on control of WPA for work on apparatus.
Blackstarting the Main and House Generators.
For carrying out prescribed safety precautions and safeguards for the protection of self and others.
For observing and insuring that those temporarily under his direction observe safety instructions issued or applicable.
For performing work without disturbing other equipment.
For executing orders quickly and properly.
For accuracy of work within required tolerances or specifications.
For special care and watchfulness to avoid errors in the repair and assembly of equipment.
For proper use and care of a wide variety of tools, materials and equipment.
For disposition of surplus and scrap materials after each job and keeping areas where work is performed clean and orderly to maintain an atmosphere conducive to good work practices and safety.

CONTACTS:
With the general public, local, state and federal government agencies, Harry S. Truman personnel and news media. Receives and issues reports on generating schedules, lake and river conditions including notification to the public and property owners below the dam when spill gates are first opened.
With other Plant employees and employees of other departments on routine exchange of information, as well as arrangements for carrying load, switching operations and reports and requests covering operating data. Such contacts include but are not limited to: Power Dispatcher, Transmission Dispatcher, Power Operations Department, Taum Sauk Plant, Osage Plant, Keokuk Plant, Lakeside District, Relay Department and System Data.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Part of time will be spent in the Control Room, at other times the HPT will be subject to the steady hum of rotating equipment, a full range of temperatures from very hot to sub-freezing (sometimes sudden changes from one extreme to the other). Subject to noise, dusts, dirt, fumes, odors, drafts and inclement weather. Work at times is cramped and artificial light is frequently necessary.
Subject to fumes when maintenance is welding in their work areas.
Subject to high noise levels in the air compressor room and while venting governor oil pressure tanks.
Subject to high humidity and damp areas.

HAZARDS:
• Subject to hazards from the possible failure of nearby transformers or other electrical equipment and electrical or oil fires when dispatched to a scene of trouble in an emergency.
• Subject to some hazard of electrical shock when operating disconnecting switches.
• Subject to working near or above water.
• Subject to the usual hazards encountered in mechanical construction and maintenance work.
• Subject to danger from falling while working at elevations above grade.
• Subject to some danger from working around heavy rotating equipment.
• Subject to some danger of slipping on oily or wet surfaces.
• Frequently working alone in the powerhouse and required to exercise prudence in accordance with these circumstances.
• Occasionally exposed to noxious fumes in confined places.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Qualification standards as established in the Hydro Operations Agreement.
Candidates who cannot perform some or all of these duties because of disabilities will nevertheless receive full consideration for the job based on their ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

All candidates will be need to complete a 2 week evaluation prior to starting the position. The candidate must pass the evaluation to continue in the hiring process.

Hourly Pay:

Grade Step OA 067 Step 1 of 1 (Top Step) - 60.69 USD

If end date is listed, the posting will come down at 12:00 am on that date:

Saturday November 14, 2026

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, genetic information, military service or status, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other class, trait, or status protected by law.