CHIEF HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR
Full-time
San Bernardino County, CA, USA
USD 10,198-13,654 / month
Job Posting: CHIEF HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR (00106461)
Department of Water Resources
CHIEF HYDROELECTRIC PLANT OPERATOR
$10,198.00 - $13,654.00 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: 11/13/2026
Job Description and Duties
Under the direction of the Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) Operations Superintendent, the Chief HEP Operator is directly responsible for the supervision and coordination of the Plant Operations units at Devil Canyon Power Plant, Mojave Power Plant, and operations oversight of the East Branch Extension Pumping Stations. This position may perform administrative tasks in SAP such as time reports, program reports, requisitioning, work order notifications, and other SAP functions. The Chief HEP Operator is responsible for the supervision of approximately 12 employees, scheduling of shifts, shift rotation, and vacation planning; The Chief HEP Operator manages meetings and discussions relative to technical work with respective supervisors, support engineers, and maintenance supervisors; is responsible for technical training of the Plant Operations Unit under the Chief HEP Operators jurisdiction, which will require driving throughout the Field Division. This position works with the Planner Scheduler office, coordinates all operation and maintenance activities within the Field Division with other disciplines, schedules special tests, prepares reports, makes inspections, and keeps the HEP Operations Superintendent advised on project operations. The Chief HEP Operator enforces safe work policies and procedures.
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
Southern Field Division, Operations Branch, Plant Operations Section, Pearblossom
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
This position has frequent access to areas designated as containing critical cyber assets in accordance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) reliability standards; a satisfactory background check is required prior to appointment and at least every seven years thereafter.
Must have a valid California Class C license as incumbent will be required to operate automotive vehicles on public roadways; travel to remote areas within the field division is necessary to perform the requirements of this position.
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: 11/13/2026Who 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 required and must be included.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience with operations of hydroelectric pumping and generating facilities
- Experience with project management and scheduling
- Knowledge and experience with safety policies such as Job Hazard Analysis and pre-work safety plans, procedures, regulations, and guidelines
- Strong leadership skills
- Strong written and oral communication skills
- Knowledge/experience of SAP (or similar) functions and planning and scheduling processes, including Work Clearance Management process
- Proficient in the use of various computer word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications and willingness to learn new technological tools to incorporate in daily tasks
- Reliable, punctual, and willing to work irregular hours
- Self-motivated with good work ethic
- Interpersonal skills: the ability to work independently, as well as cooperatively and productively, in a team atmosphere with colleagues of different disciplinary backgrounds
- Demonstrate the ability to be accountable
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.
Karen Castellon
(661) 944-8581
Karen.Castellon@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) and Resume. Please reference SAP Position #50002589 and Job Control #537015 in the “examination(s) or job title(s) for which you are applying” section of your application.
The following basis of eligibility will be considered: List eligibility, transfer, LEAP, reinstatement, and SROA/Surplus.
Resumes, cover letters, and/or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. The hiring unit will receive only the documents specified in the Required Application Package Documents section.
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.
