This is the text version of the Hydropower Career Map.
About This Mapping Tool
This career mapping tool shows examples of the broad diversity of hydropower energy occupations, provides descriptive detail about the jobs associated with the hydropower energy industry, and summarizes the training and education that may be necessary for a career in the hydropower energy industry.
Maps: Two career maps are available: The "Degreed Careers" map shows the careers available to someone with a bachelor's degree or higher. The "Vocational Careers" map shows the careers available to someone applying trade school experience in a professional setting.
Sectors: Each career map arranges wind occupations into five broad categories: Project Development; Component Manufacturing; Construction; Operations; and Education, Training, and Research. Some sectors overlap, and some jobs fall under more than one category.
Skill Levels: These maps also organize jobs into three general skill levels:
Degreed Careers
- Bachelor's Degree
- Four-year undergraduate degree that shows completion of a general education with a focus on a specific major.
- Roughly 120 semester hours.
- Opens up a wide range of opportunities, whether in the job market or graduate school.
- Master's Degree
- Advanced, graduate degree that shows a high level of mastery in a particular subject area.
- Between 30 and 60 credits.
- May open up higher paying jobs with more opportunities for professional growth.
- Ph.D. (also called a "doctoral" or "terminal" degree)
- Highest degree awarded in most fields.
- Can lead to greater opportunities for professional growth and higher earning potential.
- Basic threshold for certain advanced professional roles, including professorship and professional research.
Vocational Careers
- Entry Level
- Apprentice-level or less than a 2-year post-secondary credential
- 1-3 years of experience.
- Mid-Level
- Journey or associate's level
- 3-5 years of experience.
- Advanced Level
- Master craft or bachelor's level and higher
- 5+ years of experience.
Note that most occupations include a wide range of skill levels and therefore could sit in a higher or lower row (higher or lower on the y-axis) than the job level designated in this map. Continuing education and on-the-job-training are essential for workers in the rapidly evolving hydropower industry and would likely influence the job level.
The Hydropower Career Map covers a broad and representative selection of occupations for which some training in hydropower-specific skills is required, but not every hydropower energy-related job is included. For example, jobs in administration, communications, and safety, as well as entry-level internships and apprenticeships, are among the many hydropower energy jobs available, but which are not covered in this Hydropower Career Map.
Degreed Careers Map
This map shows the careers available to someone with a bachelor's degree or higher. Most occupations in this map include a wide range of skill levels and therefore could sit in a higher or lower row (higher or lower on the y-axis) than the job level designated in this map. Continuing education and on-the-job-training are essential for workers in the rapidly evolving hydropower industry and would likely influence the job level.
Project Development
Ph.D.
Lawyer
Lawyers advise and represent a diverse range of hydropower industry clients, including developers, operators, utilities, and communities. They navigate legal issues, ensure compliance with regulations, and facilitate agreements among stakeholders.
Master's
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cybersecurity specialists protect hydropower plants from cybersecurity threats by planning and implementing measures to protect computer networks and systems.
Cultural Resource Specialist
Cultural resource specialists are responsible for identifying and recording cultural resources in the field, preparing documentation, and liaising with tribes, government organizations, and other consulting parties to assess the impact of hydropower projects.
Remote Sensing and GIS Specialist
A remote sensing and GIS specialist is responsible for building and maintaining GIS databases. They use software programs to collect, analyze, model, and present geographic or spatial data in maps, charts, or other informative visualizations.
Land Acquisition Specialist
Land acquisition specialists design and execute plans for acquiring land at hydropower sites, collaborating with legal, permitting, engineering, and scientific teams. They lead land purchase or lease processes, engage with landowners and communities, and maintain existing land agreements.
Regulatory Compliance Specialist
Regulatory compliance specialists perform environmental, social, and economic impact studies to ensure existing hydropower operations comply with government regulations that protect the environment, energy markets, workers, and impacted communities.
Surveyor
Surveyors measure the shape of land surfaces, water body floors, and site boundaries for construction projects. They use their measurements to advise project teams on where to plan their construction within a site.
Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist
Procurement and supply chain specialists manage supply chain logistics, including sourcing, transport, and management of hydropower equipment, materials, and products.
Bachelor's
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers analyze, plan, and design hydropower projects to ensure structural integrity and compliance with codes. They collaborate with stakeholders, use design software, perform site installations, and oversee testing.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists apply their knowledge and expertise to protect people, communities, and ecosystems from environmental hazards related to hydropower developments. They advise researchers and developers to comply with site-specific environmental regulations and investigate how to mitigate human health, cultural, or environmental hazards.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers research, design, and test tools, machines, and devices to improve hydropower technology performance optimization and reduce costs. They work across various sectors, providing technical expertise in research, design, production, installation, and maintenance of mechanical components and facilities.
Environment, Health, and Safety Engineer
Environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals develop policies, strategies, and trainings to improve workplace EHS. They work to eliminate fatalities, injuries, occupational illnesses, property damage, and environmental harm.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers play a vital role in designing, testing, and overseeing the manufacturing, installation, and operation of electrical components for hydropower generation.
Research Analyst
Research analysts study and understand different parts of the hydropower industry, including policies, economics, and technologies, specializing in areas such as testing components, market projections, and workforce analysis. They contribute to informed decision-making across government, academia, and industry in the hydropower sector.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers use principles of engineering, soil science, hydrology, biology, and chemistry to mitigate or develop solutions to environmental impacts related to the hydropower industry, including impacts on upstream and downstream aquatic species, ecosystems, communities, water quality, pollution, flooding, and sediment transport.
Hydrologist
Hydrologists assess water resource availability, collecting and analyzing data on precipitation, runoff, and stream flow to forecast hydropower plant water availability, guide reservoir management, and evaluate potential environmental impacts.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Quality assurance engineers run tests on hydropower electrical, mechanical, or software components to make sure the components work as designed, meet safety regulations, and satisfy client expectations.
Component Manufacturing
Ph.D.
Lawyer
Lawyers advise and represent a diverse range of hydropower industry clients, including developers, operators, utilities, and communities. They navigate legal issues, ensure compliance with regulations, and facilitate agreements among stakeholders.
Master's
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cybersecurity specialists protect hydropower plants from cybersecurity threats by planning and implementing measures to protect computer networks and systems.
Public Utilities Specialist
Public utilities specialists write contracts that allow utilities to buy, sell, or interchange electricity. They often negotiate with government agencies, power purchasers, and other public and private utilities to get contracts approved.
Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist
Procurement and supply chain specialists manage supply chain logistics, including sourcing, transport, and management of hydropower equipment, materials, and products.
Bachelor's
Instrumentation and Controls Engineer
Instrumentation and controls engineers design, test, install, and maintain equipment that automates the processes that monitor and control machinery. This automation equipment allows hydropower component manufacturing or hydropower plant operations to run more efficiently and effectively.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers research, design, and test tools, machines, and devices to improve hydropower technology performance optimization and reduce costs. They work across various sectors, providing technical expertise in research, design, production, installation, and maintenance of mechanical components and facilities.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Quality assurance engineers run tests on hydropower electrical, mechanical, or software components to make sure the components work as designed, meet safety regulations, and satisfy client expectations.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers play a vital role in designing, testing, and overseeing the manufacturing, installation, and operation of electrical components for hydropower generation.
Sales Engineer
Sales engineers sell complex technological products or services to businesses, combining technical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills. They must have extensive knowledge of the products' capabilities, specifications, weights, parts, and functions.
Materials Scientist and Engineer
Materials scientists and engineers develop, process, and test materials to improve the performance and durability of hydropower components and technologies.
Environment, Health, and Safety Engineer
Environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals develop policies, strategies, and trainings to improve workplace EHS. They work to eliminate fatalities, injuries, occupational illnesses, property damage, and environmental harm.
Software Developer
Software developers design, test, and deploy digital platforms and programs that help hydropower systems operate more effectively and efficiently.
Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers find ways to use workers, machines, materials, available technology, and energy to increase efficiency and minimize the time and costs required to manufacture hydropower systems and components.
Construction
Ph.D.
Lawyer
Lawyers advise and represent a diverse range of hydropower industry clients, including developers, operators, utilities, and communities. They navigate legal issues, ensure compliance with regulations, and facilitate agreements among stakeholders.
Master's
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cybersecurity specialists protect hydropower plants from cybersecurity threats by planning and implementing measures to protect computer networks and systems.
Cultural Resource Specialist
Cultural resource specialists are responsible for identifying and recording cultural resources in the field, preparing documentation, and liaising with tribes, government organizations, and other consulting parties to assess the impact of hydropower projects.
Land Acquisition Specialist
Land acquisition specialists design and execute plans for acquiring land at hydropower sites, collaborating with legal, permitting, engineering, and scientific teams. They lead land purchase or lease processes, engage with landowners and communities, and maintain existing land agreements.
Public Utilities Specialist
Public utilities specialists write contracts that allow utilities to buy, sell, or interchange electricity. They often negotiate with government agencies, power purchasers, and other public and private utilities to get contracts approved.
Surveyor
Surveyors measure the shape of land surfaces, water body floors, and site boundaries for construction projects. They use their measurements to advise project teams on where to plan their construction within a site.
Regulatory Compliance Specialist
Regulatory compliance specialists perform environmental, social, and economic impact studies to ensure existing hydropower operations comply with government regulations that protect the environment, energy markets, workers, and impacted communities.
Bachelor's
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers analyze, plan, and design hydropower projects to ensure structural integrity and compliance with codes. They collaborate with stakeholders, use design software, perform site installations, and oversee testing.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists apply their knowledge and expertise to protect people, communities, and ecosystems from environmental hazards related to hydropower developments. They advise researchers and developers to comply with site-specific environmental regulations and investigate how to mitigate human health, cultural, or environmental hazards.
Mechanical Engineer
Environmental engineers use principles of engineering, soil science, hydrology, biology, and chemistry to mitigate or develop solutions to environmental impacts related to the hydropower industry, including impacts on upstream and downstream aquatic species, ecosystems, communities, water quality, pollution, flooding, and sediment transport.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers use principles of engineering, soil science, hydrology, biology, and chemistry to mitigate or develop solutions to environmental impacts related to the hydropower industry, including impacts on upstream and downstream aquatic species, ecosystems, communities, water quality, pollution, flooding, and sediment transport.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers play a vital role in designing, testing, and overseeing the manufacturing, installation, and operation of electrical components for hydropower generation.
Sales Engineer
Sales engineers sell complex technological products or services to businesses, combining technical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills. They must have extensive knowledge of the products' capabilities, specifications, weights, parts, and functions.
Environment, Health, and Safety Engineer
Environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals develop policies, strategies, and trainings to improve workplace EHS. They work to eliminate fatalities, injuries, occupational illnesses, property damage, and environmental harm.
Instrumentation and Controls Engineer
Instrumentation and controls engineers design, test, install, and maintain equipment that automates the processes that monitor and control machinery. This automation equipment allows hydropower component manufacturing or hydropower plant operations to run more efficiently and effectively.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Quality assurance engineers run tests on hydropower electrical, mechanical, or software components to make sure the components work as designed, meet safety regulations, and satisfy client expectations.
Operations
Ph.D.
Lawyer
Lawyers advise and represent a diverse range of hydropower industry clients, including developers, operators, utilities, and communities. They navigate legal issues, ensure compliance with regulations, and facilitate agreements among stakeholders.
Master's
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cybersecurity specialists protect hydropower plants from cybersecurity threats by planning and implementing measures to protect computer networks and systems.
Power Scheduler
Power schedulers work for utilities, selling and purchasing power in a cost-effective way, based on the daily and hourly fluctuations in the power market.
Land Acquisition Specialist
Land acquisition specialists design and execute plans for acquiring land at hydropower sites, collaborating with legal, permitting, engineering, and scientific teams. They lead land purchase or lease processes, engage with landowners and communities, and maintain existing land agreements.
Regulatory Compliance Specialist
Regulatory compliance specialists perform environmental, social, and economic impact studies to ensure existing hydropower operations comply with government regulations that protect the environment, energy markets, workers, and impacted communities.
Remote Sensing and GIS Specialist
A remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) specialist is responsible for building and maintaining GIS databases. They use software programs to collect, analyze, model, and present geographic or spatial data in maps, charts, or other informative visualizations.
Bachelor's
Civil Engineer
Civil engineers analyze, plan, and design hydropower projects to ensure structural integrity and compliance with codes. They collaborate with stakeholders, use design software, perform site installations, and oversee testing.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists apply their knowledge and expertise to protect people, communities, and ecosystems from environmental hazards related to hydropower developments. They advise researchers and developers to comply with site-specific environmental regulations and investigate how to mitigate human health, cultural, or environmental hazards.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental engineers use principles of engineering, soil science, hydrology, biology, and chemistry to mitigate or develop solutions to environmental impacts related to the hydropower industry, including impacts on upstream and downstream aquatic species, ecosystems, communities, water quality, pollution, flooding, and sediment transport.
Electrical Engineer
Electrical engineers play a vital role in designing, testing, and overseeing the manufacturing, installation, and operation of electrical components for hydropower generation.
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical engineers research, design, and test tools, machines, and devices to improve hydropower technology performance optimization and reduce costs. They work across various sectors, providing technical expertise in research, design, production, installation, and maintenance of mechanical components and facilities.
Sales Engineer
Sales engineers sell complex technological products or services to businesses, combining technical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills. They must have extensive knowledge of the products' capabilities, specifications, weights, parts, and functions.
Environment, Health, and Safety Engineer
Environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals develop policies, strategies, and trainings to improve workplace EHS. They work to eliminate fatalities, injuries, occupational illnesses, property damage, and environmental harm.
Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers find ways to use workers, machines, materials, available technology, and energy to increase efficiency and minimize the time and costs required to manufacture hydropower systems and components.
Quality Assurance Engineer
Quality assurance engineers run tests on hydropower electrical, mechanical, or software components to make sure the components work as designed, meet safety regulations, and satisfy client expectations.
Education, Training, and Research
Ph.D.
Professor
At the undergraduate and graduate levels, professors instruct students in academic topics. Some professors also carry out their own research and write and publish academic books and papers.
Vocational Instructor
Vocational instructors teach students in high schools and postsecondary programs, such as community colleges, technical schools, maritime academies, and apprenticeships. They teach skills the students need to enter the workforce within a specialized career path.
Vocational Careers Map
This map shows the careers available to someone applying trade school experience in a professional setting. Most occupations in this map include a wide range of skill levels and therefore could sit in a higher or lower row (higher or lower on the y-axis) than the job level designated in this map. Continuing education and on-the-job-training are essential for workers in the rapidly evolving hydropower industry and would likely influence the job level.
Project Development
Advanced
Surveyor
Surveyors measure the shape of land surfaces, water body floors, and site boundaries for construction projects. They use their measurements to advise project teams on where to plan their construction within a site.
Mid-Level
Engineering Technician
Engineering technicians work with engineers to plan, design, evaluate, and improve the performance of hydropower equipment, processes, and facilities.
Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist
Procurement and supply chain specialists manage supply chain logistics, including sourcing, transport, and management of hydropower equipment, materials, and products.
Drafter
Drafters create technical drawings for hydropower structures, electrical wiring, and machinery used in power plants and hydropower component production. These technical drawings contain information on the layouts, dimensions, and materials needed for the project.
Sales Engineer
Sales engineers sell complex technological products or services to businesses, combining technical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills. They must have extensive knowledge of the products' capabilities, specifications, weights, parts, and functions.
Entry
Surveying Technician
Survey technicians assist surveyors in making precise measurements of the land to determine property boundaries and surface contours for construction projects. Hydrographic survey technicians work on water vessels and assist surveyors in measuring the contours of coastlines and the ocean floor.
Component Manufacturing
Mid-Level
Carpenter
Carpenters construct, repair, and install wooden building frameworks and structures.
Engineering Technician
Engineering technicians work with engineers to plan, design, evaluate, and improve the performance of hydropower equipment, processes, and facilities.
Instrument and Controls Technician
An instrumentation and controls technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots instrumentation, control circuits, and equipment used in a hydropower generation facility, such as valves, pumps, motors, and generators.
Electrician
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in hydropower generation facilities.
Procurement and Supply Chain Specialist
Procurement and supply chain specialists manage supply chain logistics, including sourcing, transport, and management of hydropower equipment, materials, and products.
Drafter
Drafters create technical drawings for hydropower structures, electrical wiring, and machinery used in power plants and hydropower component production. These technical drawings contain information on the layouts, dimensions, and materials needed for the project.
Sales Engineer
Sales engineers sell complex technological products or services to businesses, combining technical knowledge with strong interpersonal skills. They must have extensive knowledge of the products' capabilities, specifications, weights, parts, and functions.
Software Developer
Software developers design, test, and deploy digital platforms and programs that help hydropower systems operate more effectively and efficiently.
Entry
Assembler and Fabricator
Assemblers and fabricators assemble both finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make generators, computers, electronic devices, turbines, and other hydropower parts.
Metal Worker
Metal workers perform a wide variety of tasks, from installing large-scale structural and reinforcing iron and steel to support large-scale infrastructure to installing smaller-scale sheet metal structures for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, electrical switchboards, and other structures inside hydropower facilities.
Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
Cement mason and concrete finishers place, pour, and finish concrete materials for construction projects.
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and/or operate equipment to cut, shape, and form precision metal and plastic parts.
Construction
Advanced
Construction Manager
Construction managers oversee the construction of a hydropower plant from site selection to construction completion. They coordinate, direct, and acquire contractors, construction teams, and specialized hydropower components to ensure projects are complete on schedule and within budget.
Surveyor
Surveyors measure the shape of land surfaces, water body floors, and site boundaries for construction projects. They use their measurements to advise project teams on where to plan their construction within a site.
Mid-Level
Carpenter
Carpenters construct, repair, and install wooden building frameworks and structures.
Engineering Technician
Engineering technicians work with engineers to plan, design, evaluate, and improve the performance of hydropower equipment, processes, and facilities.
Instrument and Controls Technician
An instrumentation and controls technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots instrumentation, control circuits, and equipment used in a hydropower generation facility, such as valves, pumps, motors, and generators.
Computerized Maintenance Management System Specialist
Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) specialists work in hydropower plants and use CMMS systems to quickly identify unplanned repairs, plan routine maintenance, and record the resources and materials that were needed to perform maintenance.
Drafter
Drafters create technical drawings for hydropower structures, electrical wiring, and machinery used in power plants and hydropower component production. These technical drawings contain information on the layouts, dimensions, and materials needed for the project.
Crane and Tower Operator
Crane and tower operators control mechanical booms or towers to lift and move materials, machines, or products.
Construction and Building Inspector
Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets local and federal building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.
Electrician
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in hydropower generation facilities.
Entry
Assembler and Fabricator
Assemblers and fabricators assemble both finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make generators, computers, electronic devices, turbines, and other hydropower parts.
Metal Worker
Metal workers perform a wide variety of tasks, from installing large-scale structural and reinforcing iron and steel to support large-scale infrastructure to installing smaller-scale sheet metal structures for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, electrical switchboards, and other structures inside hydropower facilities.
Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
Cement mason and concrete finishers place, pour, and finish concrete materials for construction projects.
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and/or operate equipment to cut, shape, and form precision metal and plastic parts.
Construction Worker
Different construction trade workers—including heavy equipment operators, riggers, and more—are necessary during the construction, operation, and maintenance of hydropower plants.
Surveying Technician
Survey technicians assist surveyors in making precise measurements of the land to determine property boundaries and surface contours for construction projects. Hydrographic survey technicians work on water vessels and assist surveyors in measuring the contours of coastlines and the ocean floor.
Operations
Mid-Level
Instrument and Controls Technician
An instrumentation and controls technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots instrumentation, control circuits, and equipment used in a hydropower generation facility, such as valves, pumps, motors, and generators.
Engineering Technician
Engineering technicians work with engineers to plan, design, evaluate, and improve the performance of hydropower equipment, processes, and facilities.
Power Scheduler
Power schedulers work for utilities, selling and purchasing power in a cost-effective way, based on the daily and hourly fluctuations in the power market.
Computerized Maintenance Management System Specialist
Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) specialists work in hydropower plants and use CMMS systems to quickly identify unplanned repairs, plan routine maintenance, and record the resources and materials that were needed to perform maintenance.
Cybersecurity Specialist
Cybersecurity specialists protect hydropower plants from cybersecurity threats by planning and implementing measures to protect computer networks and systems.
Hydropower Plant Technician
Hydroelectric plant technicians install, inspect, maintain, operate, and repair machinery at hydroelectric plants and associated water-passage equipment, such as spillway gates. They are also responsible for identifying and correcting problems at the plant and communicating their findings to coworkers.
Construction and Building Inspector
Construction and building inspectors ensure that construction meets local and federal building codes and ordinances, zoning regulations, and contract specifications.
Hydropower Plant Operator
Hydroelectric power plant operators control and maintain electricity generation equipment within the power plant and regulate the flow of electricity out of the plant.
Electrician
Electricians install, maintain, and repair electrical power, communications, lighting, and control systems in hydropower generation facilities.
Entry
Assembler and Fabricator
Assemblers and fabricators assemble both finished products and the parts that go into them. They use tools, machines, and their hands to make generators, computers, electronic devices, turbines, and other hydropower parts.
Metal Worker
Metal workers perform a wide variety of tasks, from installing large-scale structural and reinforcing iron and steel to support large-scale infrastructure to installing smaller-scale sheet metal structures for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, electrical switchboards, and other structures inside hydropower facilities.
Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher
Cement mason and concrete finishers place, pour, and finish concrete materials for construction projects.
Metal and Plastic Machine Workers
Metal and plastic machine workers set up and/or operate equipment to cut, shape, and form precision metal and plastic parts.
Construction Worker
Different construction trade workers—including heavy equipment operators, riggers, and more—are necessary during the construction, operation, and maintenance of hydropower plants.
Education, Training, and Research
Advanced
Vocational Instructor
Vocational instructors teach students in high schools and postsecondary programs, such as community colleges, technical schools, maritime academies, and apprenticeships. They teach skills the students need to enter the workforce within a specialized career path.