Exam Bulletin - Hydroelectric Plant Technician II

Department of Water Resources

Exam Code: EX-1742

Examination Plans Included:

  • Hydroelectric Plant Technician II - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Bulletin Updates

  • Salary section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

Hydroelectric Plant Technician II: $8,742.00 - $11,521.00 per Month

View the Hydroelectric Plant Technician II classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • Hydroelectric Plant Technician II - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1742

For Hydroelectric Plant Technician II, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01742

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00103729 - HYDROELECTRIC PLANT TECHNICIAN II

Either 1

One year of experience in the California state civil service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to a Hydroelectric Plant Technician I, Range B.

Or 2

Three years of responsible and varied experience performing testing, calibration, and maintenance of protections systems, monitoring, and control equipment, communications and security systems, metering, and sensors similar to those used in generating/pumping plants, switchyards, and water conveyance facilities; and completion of an approved two-year (60 semester or equivalent quarter units) technical curriculum in electrical, electronic, mechanical, or computer-science technology at the community college level, or equivalent. (Additional electrical, electronic, mechanical, or computer-science work experience in an electrical utility or equivalent industrial or military facility, may be substituted for the required education on the basis of one year of experience being equivalent to 15 semester units.)
Special Requirements
The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) Standard CIP-004 that is part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires the completion of a thorough background investigation. Persons convicted of a felony may not be eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class. Under the provisions of NERC CIP Standard CIP-004, any persons unsuccessful in the background investigation may be disqualified from having authorized cyber or authorized unescorted physical access to Critical Cyber Assets (CCA's).

Position Description

00103729 - HYDROELECTRIC PLANT TECHNICIAN II

Conducts pre-job hazard identification, assessment, and control; operates and reads test instruments; records and summarizes test data; utilizes testing equipment and operating knowledge of hydroelectric plants, protective relaying devices, governor systems, excitation systems, and protective relaying communication networks; responds to trouble calls, including after hours and on weekends, as necessary; performs testing, maintenance, and repair of all components of SWP electrical and mechanical systems, including pressure transducers and transmitters, accelerometers, instrument records, potentiometers, temperature devices, supervisory control equipment, bridge circuits, solenoid valves, and other electrical or electronic devices and protective devices utilizing industry standards; tests, adjusts, calibrates, modifies, analyzes, operates, and corrects malfunctions in pressure, temperature, flow, vibration, speed, level measuring, monitoring and control systems, which includes pneumatic controllers, flow integrators, sensors, indicators, regulators, transmitters, gauges, valves, and aural visual alarms; locates equipment or device failures in order to repair or replace defective components in response to trouble calls; troubleshoots excitation/voltage regulator equipment, vibration equipment, circuit breakers, governors, insulation tests, trip and alarm tests, and hydraulic systems; inspects and tests equipment and circuits to identify malfunctions or defects using wiring diagrams and testing devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters, and ammeters; analyzes test data in order to diagnose malfunctions, to determine performance characteristics of systems, and to evaluate effects of system modifications; troubleshoots excitation/voltage regulator equipment, vibration equipment, circuit breakers, governors, insulation test, trip, and alarm test and hydraulic systems; performs preventive and corrective maintenance; installs and tests existing and replacement systems and equipment; verifies equipment malfunction; troubleshoots, repairs, and predicts areas of possible future failures; performs specialized testing such as Doble Test, Hi-Pot Testing, and Corona Probe; performs service interruption investigations after equipment failures; performs tests on computer systems in the field, including running diagnostics on computers to evaluate their operation and testing power supplies for proper voltage output, current, and low ripple content; uses vendor supplied computer diagnostic procedures, as well as oscilloscopes, digital counters, oscillators, and logic analyzers to repair and maintain reliability of computer control and communication systems; maintains SCADA applications on networks, including plant operator interfaces, programmable logic controllers, and protocol test sets; assists the Control System Branch, the Communications Support Branch, and Field Divisions in the installation and testing of new equipment and modifications to existing equipment/software, including power management systems, RTU's; fiber optic communication equipment, and Telco equipment located at different sites in the SWP; interprets and works from complex plans and drawings; reads and analyzes logic diagrams, upgrades, and makes logic changes for requested changes; modifies protective circuits and devices according to given drawings and settings; maintains equipment and conducts testing, calibration, software upgrades, and programming of same, including sensors, data collection platforms, remote data stations, and structures; maintains, modifies, and updates LAN's, WAN's, data communication equipment (hardware and software), fiber optic cable and equipment, microwave equipment, and the Northern/Southern Hub; installs network interfaces and software to bring computers onto the network; performs system administration for PBX and related equipment within a facility, including moves, adds, and changes; collaborates with other sections, outside agencies, and vendors to identify and correct problems with interconnected systems; prepares for special test set-ups, including selecting instrumentation; verifies compliance with lockout/tag out procedures by visually inspecting equipment and communicating with crews; instructs subordinates in the use, operation, and functions of test equipment, testing methods and procedures, and computer analyzing equipment; assists in the training and development of entry-level technicians; prepares requisitions for tools, supplies, repair parts, and services; receives equipment and prepares records to track various equipment during shipping to vendors for repairs; selects and orders parts required for maintenance of control system equipment; researches the availability of new parts and/or subsystems to replace obsolete or unavailable parts; provides for necessary tools and equipment; recommends equipment modifications and operational changes to obtain increased usefulness/reliability; conducts asset inventories; performs maintenance management tasks associated with reporting and historical data recording; maintains support documentation such as equipment specifications, drawings, and manufacturer's manuals; prepares test reports and maintains hardware and software documentation, equipment history files, trouble reports, and inventory records; corrects and updates logic drawings and documentation of all equipment modifications and changes; and assists in the development of procedures to implement preventive maintenance for control systems.

Special Characteristics
  1. Legally operate a motor vehicle.
  2. Pay close attention to detail in order to ensure the completeness and accuracy of work performed by oneself and/or others.
  3. Work as a team when necessary to complete the duties of the job in a cohesive and professional manner.
  4. Work quickly and accurately in a high-pressure work environment.
  5. Be reliable and dependable to properly perform job duties.
  6. Prioritize and organize work activities of self and others to ensure that all work is completed correctly and in a timely manner.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Equipment and procedures for testing, inspection, calibration, installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of control systems, communication systems, network systems, and associated equipment.
  2. Mathematics, algebra, trigonometry, and Boolean logic to solve electrical and electronic problems.
  3. Test equipment and diagnostic devices (ex. oscilloscopes, multi-meters, counters, power system, logic, and network analyzers) to determine, diagnose, and isolate problems or malfunctions.
  4. Electrical and electronic theory and its application to solve electrical and electronic system problems and to test, maintain, and repair electrical and electronic equipment.
  5. Support and maintenance practices for LANs and computer equipment and software for the SWP facilities.
  6. Technical drawings (ex. one line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, and logic diagrams).
  7. Color code standards for electrical wiring and components used in the manufacture, configuration, and repair of electrical equipment.
  8. Equipment and procedures for testing electrical, electromechanical, and electronic devices associated with large generating and pumping plants and switchyards.
  9. Electronic, electro-mechanical, and hydraulic equipment and procedures for testing and measuring flow, vibration, pressure, temperature, speed, level, and displacement.
  10. Materials, equipment, and procedures for testing, maintenance, and repair of electronic and electromechanical devices.
  11. Equipment, procedures, safety, and testing requirements for protection systems such as CT, PT, and electromechanical and microprocessor based protective relays.
  12. Equipment, procedures, safety and testing practices for large-scale distributed supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and distributed communication systems.
  13. Equipment, procedures, and testing practices for network and security systems.
  14. Instrumentation for measuring flow, level, position, temperature, pressure, speed, and vibration.
  15. Safety procedures for working on high-voltage equipment, including lockout/tag-out procedures.
  16. Hydroelectric facilities and high-voltage testing such as AC power-factor(Doble), DC insulation resistance (Meggar), and AC and DC high potential testing.
  17. Safety, security, and reliability practices.
  18. Federal and state regulatory mandates as related to hydroelectric facilities and high-voltage equipmentY.
  19. Hydroelectric plant construction, operation, and maintenance.
  20. Electrical and electronic theory as applied to power and pumping plant equipment.
Ability to:
  1. Determine, diagnose, and isolate problems or malfunctions in order to make necessary repairs.
  2. Use mathematics, including algebra, trigonometry, and Boolean logic to solve electrical and electronic problems.
  3. Apply electrical and electronic theory and application to solve electrical and electronic problems and to test, maintain, and repair electrical components, equipment, and systems.
  4. Read and interpret technical drawings, documentation, and procedures for testing and repairs, and to interpret test results.
  5. Use a personal computer for standard office applications and specialized troubleshooting.
  6. Maintain cooperative working relationships with co-workers.
  7. Work in an environment that requires strict adherence to instructions, standards, and procedures.
  8. Identify potential safety hazards.
  9. Follow written and oral instructions for completing work tasks.
  10. Test, inspect, calibrate, install, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair control systems, communication systems, network systems, and related equipment.
  11. Test electrical, electromechanical, and electronic devices associated with large generating pumping plants and switchyards.
  12. Install test equipment and make all necessary connections.
  13. Wire components and equipment following wiring diagrams or schematics.
  14. Comprehend policies, procedures, orders, rules, and other related written documents/materials to perform the duties of the job.
  15. Work independently without close supervision to perform the duties of the job.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the Hydroelectric Plant Technician II Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Water Resources

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Hydroelectric Plant Technician II Training and Experience Exam Preview

Instructions:    

Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.  

 

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.  

 

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.  

 

PLEASE NOTE:  This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, training, and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position.  Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience.  All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position. In preparing your responses please note, each exam item response textbox has a maximum of 1,000 character count.

 

Tasks

 

  1. Performing installation and testing of equipment and other components used for protection, monitoring, communication, and control within water and/or power facilities.  
  1. Configuring test equipment for installation, calibration and validation for water and/or power facility devices to ensure functionality (e.g., annunciators, trip circuits, relaying devices).   
  1. Utilizing testing equipment and operating knowledge of water and/or power plants, protective relaying devices, voltage regulation, and communication networks to ensure equipment is operating as designed.   
  1. Diagnosing failures or device equipment defects in order to isolate and identify repairs or replacements to maintain equipment availability.   
  1. Analyzing and troubleshooting electrical and/or mechanical failures on high voltage systems utilizing knowledge of proper operations and safety procedures.   
  1. Preparing and updating test reports and procedures, requisitions for materials, tools, and services to document equipment maintenance and repairs.  
  1. Reading and interpreting electrical, mechanical and electronic diagrams (e.g., P&ID, flow diagrams, single line) to install, reconfigure and test water and/or power systems.   
  1. Testing, calibrating, and maintaining instrumentation and metering devices (e.g., pneumatic controllers, flow meters, sensors, indicators, regulators and audio/visual alarms) to verify devices are working.   
  1. Installing and testing equipment and performing modifications to power management systems and/or communication equipment (e.g., fiber optic, network, wireless) located at different sites to ensure proper functionality.  
  1. Testing, calibrating, maintaining devices including hardware upgrades to verify user interface equipment and systems (e.g., SCADA) are operating correctly.   
  1. Maintaining SCADA applications on networks, including plant operator interfaces and programmable logic controllers to allow for secure and reliable operations.  
  1. Providing informal training to plant technicians on proper procedures, methods for testing, troubleshooting, repairing, and provisioning equipment related to power, communication, and/or control systems.  
  1. Utilizing computer diagnostic applications (e.g., Wireshark) to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain computer controls and communication systems.   
  1. Maintaining computer operation systems, security systems and network equipment to ensure reliability and proper operations.   
  1. Performing calculations to obtain data, ranges, and parameters to validate operation and test results.   
  2. Conducting safety meetings, participating in safety audits, pre-work safety plans and Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) as required by state and federal standards and regulations (e.g., OSHA, Cal OSHA).   

Testing Departments

  • Department of Water Resources

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@Calhr.ca.gov

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Water Resources
P. O. Box 1079
Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 653-4838

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

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.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State 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.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Water Resources reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)