Senior Hydroelectric Plant Operator
Columbia Basin Public Power District · Wenatchee, WA
Mar, 2019 · Present
Operate 9 generating units (1,050 MW) from the central control room via SCADA/EMS, executing hourly generation schedules from the balancing authority within ±2 MW.
Write and execute 300+ switching orders per year for 13.8 kV and 230 kV equipment with zero switching errors.
Manage forebay and tailwater levels, spill, and fish-passage flows to meet FERC license and Biological Opinion requirements.
Cut forced-outage hours 27% by building an alarm-triage playbook and trending bearing temperature and vibration data with the maintenance team.
Lead clearance and lockout/tagout for unit overhauls, wicket-gate rebuilds, and transformer replacements.
Train and qualify 6 apprentice operators on unit start/stop, synchronizing, and emergency black-start procedures.
Hydroelectric Plant Operator
Douglas Ridge Hydro Project · East Wenatchee, WA
Jun, 2015 · Feb, 2019
Ran 4 Francis units (420 MW) on rotating 12-hour shifts, including governor and excitation adjustments during system disturbances.
Performed daily rounds on turbines, generators, cooling water, oil systems, and station service, logging readings in the CMMS.
Responded to 40+ unit trips and grid events, restoring units to service within target times.
Coordinated debris removal from trash racks and intake gates during spring runoff.
Apprentice Plant Operator
Chelan Valley Utilities · Chelan, WA
Aug, 2013 · May, 2015
Completed a 4,000-hour operator apprenticeship covering hydraulics, electrical theory, protective relaying, and plant safety.
Assisted with switching, clearances, and dam safety inspections under journeyman supervision.