HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR
State of California
Kern County, CA, USA
USD 8,372-10,792 / month
Job Posting: PLANT OPERATOR
Department of Water Resources
HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR
$8,372.00 - $10,792.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 5/18/2026
Job Description and Duties
Under the general supervision of the Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) Operations Supervisor, the HEP Operator will work under the direction and guidance of the Senior Hydroelectric Plant Operator to oversee the operation and control of the aqueduct facilities, hydroelectric generating plants, and pumping plants within San Joaquin Field Division.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.Additional Documents
Position Details
Department Information
Division of Operations and Maintenance, San Joaquin Field Division, Operations Branch, Bakersfield
Department of Water Resources (DWR) was established in 1956 by the California State Legislature. We manage California’s water resources, systems, and infrastructure, including the State Water Project, in a responsible sustainable way.
At DWR, we are embedding climate change response into every project we undertake. We have set standards to help evaluate how each project incorporates climate resilience principles and ensure consistency across the Department. Our mission is to sustainably manage the water resources of California, in cooperation with other agencies, to benefit the state’s people and protect, restore, and enhance the natural and human environments.
DWR also strives to create a trusting and welcoming workplace where employees embrace diverse viewpoints and treat each other with civility and respect. An important component of DWR’s equal employment opportunity program centers around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Department Website: https://water.ca.gov/
Free virtual career consultation services including one-on-one DWR career consultations, application/resume review, tips for applying, and mock interviews, provided by DWR’s Recruitment and Workforce Planning section can now be scheduled via https://water.ca.gov/About/Careers.
Special Requirements
Must have a valid California Driver’s License.
This position has frequent access to areas designated as containing critical cyber assets in accordance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards and therefore a satisfactory criminal background check is required prior to appointment and at least every 7 years thereafter.
This is a sensitive position and is subject to substance abuse testing set forth in California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Regulations 599.960-599.966.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/18/2026Who May Apply
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
Desirable Qualifications
We are seeking candidates with the following abilities: strong oral and written communication skills, and a team player. The incumbent must be dependable, have the ability to use independent judgement, follow directions, have a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. Must have the ability to interact professionally and cooperatively with supervision and staff. Experience with Microsoft office and SCADA; Experience in a commercial, fossil, hydro-nuclear facility; Steam propulsion generating experience, high voltage switching and control of hazardous energy.
The field divisions are 100% office-centric, candidate must be willing to work in person, as this position is not eligible for telework.
Benefits
Click here to read about the outstanding benefits offered to eligible employees.
Personal Leave Program 2025: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Jennifer McClure
(661) 858-5509
jennifer.mcclure@water.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:Office of Civil Rights
(916) 653-6952
civilrights@water.ca.gov
Special Instructions
To be considered, submit a completed State application (STD. 678). Please reference SAP Position #50002257 and Job Control # 516570 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.
The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.
Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.
Click here to complete DWR’s Recruitment Survey. This survey is for research purpose only and will not affect the application status.
Examination/Assessment
For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To learn more about how to get a State job, click here.
List eligibility can be established by taking and passing the examination/assessment.
Click the examination(s)/assessment(s) information link:
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
