Mission Statement
BED’s mission is to serve the energy needs of our customers in a safe, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and socially responsible manner. BED’s four key values are: Safety, Reliability, Community and Innovation. BED’s vision is to make Burlington a Net Zero Energy city by eliminating fossil fuel usage across the electric, thermal, and ground transportation sectors by strategically electrifying, managing demand, realizing efficiency gains, and expanding local renewable generation while increasing system resilience.
General Purpose
This position operates and maintains the Winooski One Hydro Station. This position coordinates all aspects of plant operation and production of electricity in a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound manner.
Union Affiliation: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
Pay Grade 10: $25.68 - $42.11 Hourly
Remote Tier 1: Zero (0) days remote/week

Please note, BED is looking to hire one Hydro Generation Technician. Applications for Hydro Generation Technician I, Hydro Generation Technician II and Hydro Generation Technician III will all be considered to fill this opening.

Essential Job Functions
• Operate all Control Room equipment that controls the turbines, generators, dam controls, and all other power generation systems.
• Inspect, monitor, and operate Station equipment to ensure proper operating conditions.
• Ensure Station is operating within local, State, and Federal permitted limits for fishing programs, flow conditions, and quality control.
• Responsible for following proper lock-out, tag-out procedures and the safe operation of breakers, as outlined in BED’s Accident Prevention Manual.
• Monitor all personnel access to the Station.
• Monitor and maintain lubrication systems on all plant equipment.
• Maintain record of plant operational parameters, Daily Checklist, and Weekly Reports.
• Notify appropriate personnel of unusual occurrences or operating problems.
• Keep abreast and adhere to all Station safety policies and procedures.
• Responsible for keeping the Station clean.
• Assist the Director of Generation Operations with scheduling and implementing a program of preventative maintenance.
• Assist with maintaining the Maintenance Order System for the facility including prioritizing maintenance requests and ensuring adequate equipment and materials.
• Assist the Director of Generation Operations with planning, scheduling, and implementing the maintenance activities for the scheduled Annual Outage including any major overhaul.
• Assist with establishing reorder levels for plant to ensure adequate and cost-effective inventory levels.
• Recommend the purchase of spare parts, equipment replacement, lubricants, and tools for the Winooski One Hydro Station.
• Submit daily production calculations.
• Monitor weather and river flow conditions.
• Work after hours as needed to maintain the operation of the plant.
• Answer telephone calls after hours as needed to maintain the operation of the plant.
• Work with contractors to perform annual service as required for the Station equipment including turbines, generators, breakers, relays, high voltage connections, hydro rake, pressure vessels, boilers, and hoists.
• Perform tours of the facility.
• Operate the fish programs according to permitting parameters; conduct fish lifts, equipment maintenance and cleaning, tagging, and processing of fish, and transportation.
• Keep the intakes clean and free of debris.
• Assist the Director of Generation Operations in ensuring the hydro station is in compliance with any and all State and Federal codes and regulations.
Non-Essential Job Functions:
• Perform other related duties as required.
• Unload railcars at the McNeil Plant as needed.

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
• Associate’s degree in engineering or completion of a two-year engineering technical program.
• Additional experience may be substituted for a degree requirement on a two-for-one year basis.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations is required.
• Must be able to read and understand engineering drawings, electrical schematic diagrams, and wire circuit drawings.
• Ability to successfully respond to Station emergencies is required.
• Ability to operate in a Windows based operating environment using word-processing, spreadsheets, emails, and database software required.
• Must be able to work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, required.
• Must have the ability to interact harmoniously with co- workers, vendors, and the public.
• Ability to participate in various training including confined space training, CPR, First Aid, and all required training.
• Must pass a Pulmonary Function Test.
• Must have the ability to enter a confined space and elevated areas.
• Must be able to work independently and prioritize duties.
• Ability to establish and maintain good relations with co-workers.
• Ability be able to listen to and appropriately react to a supervisor's feedback and incorporate said feedback to improve employee performance.
• Must have the ability to operate heavy equipment.
• Ability to diagnose, trouble shoot, and fix equipment as needed.
• Ability to respond to call out conditions and remotely operate the Station is required.
• Ability to work with the generation control systems and software is required.
• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
• Regular attendance is necessary and is essential to meeting the expectations of the job functions.
• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules and personnel policies.
• Ability to work overtime as needed consistent with the provisions of the BED/IBEW Collective Bargaining Agreement

About City of Burlington - Burlington Electric Department

The Burlington Electric Department is Vermont’s largest municipally owned electric utility serving more than 19,600 customers. BED is the exclusive provider of electric service to the City of Burlington, an area of approximately 16 square miles, and the Burlington International Airport in South Burlington. BED is also the operator and 50 percent owner of the Joseph C McNeil Wood-Powered Electric Generating Facility (pictured above) located in Burlington’s Intervale.

Connections working at City of Burlington - Burlington Electric Department