Careers that Power the Future
Whether you’re passionate about climate action, environmental protection, engineering innovations, computer science, or more, there’s a place for you in building a more sustainable future – for everyone.
Whether you’re passionate about climate action, environmental protection, engineering innovations, computer science, or more, there’s a place for you in building a more sustainable future – for everyone.
From harnessing hydropower to drive the clean energy transition, to restoring rivers for resilient ecosystems and improved fish passage, to managing dams and waterways to protect people and infrastructure, these careers build a better tomorrow.
Hydropower plays an important role in decarbonizing the power grid and helps integrate variable renewables like wind and solar.
Just as the hydropower, river restoration, and public safety sectors have collaborated to advance more sustainable solutions, they’ve come together to strengthen the workforce behind them. The career resources on this page were developed by the Uncommon Dialogue - a partnership of all three sectors.
Professionals in administration and human resources keep hydropower organizations running smoothly by managing people, processes, and systems. They support everything from hiring and training to budgeting, compliance, and internal communications. By fostering effective teams and organizational efficiency, they help ensure that the industry can meet its energy, environmental, and community goals.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
The Business & Finance discipline in the hydropower industry focuses on managing the economic and strategic aspects of hydropower projects and operations. This includes budgeting, financial planning, contract management, risk assessment, and ensuring projects are economically viable and sustainable. Professionals in this field help secure funding, manage costs, and support the overall business growth of hydropower companies.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
The Construction & Skilled Trades discipline involves building, installing, and maintaining the physical infrastructure that makes hydropower possible. This includes constructing and maintaining dams, powerhouse facilities, penstocks, and electrical systems, as well as performing specialized tasks that require hands-on expertise. Skilled tradespeople work on-site to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and to exact standards, playing a critical role in the development and upkeep of hydropower plants. This field combines practical skills with technical knowledge to support the energy, environmental, and safety goals of hydropower operations.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
The Data Science, Automation, & Cybersecurity discipline in the hydropower industry focuses on using advanced technology, programming, and data analysis to optimize operations, improve safety, and protect critical infrastructure. Professionals in this field develop software, analyze large datasets to enhance efficiency, design automated systems for monitoring and control, and safeguard hydropower facilities from cyber threats. Their work supports smarter, more resilient energy generation and infrastructure management.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
The Engineering & Hydrology discipline involves designing, building, and maintaining the structures and systems that make hydropower possible. This includes everything from dams and turbines to electrical grids and water flow management. Professionals in this field use knowledge from civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, environmental, geotechnical engineering, and hydrology to ensure safe, efficient, and sustainable hydropower operations. Their work supports the reliable generation of clean energy while balancing environmental and community needs.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
Professionals in environmental science and sustainability help ensure that hydropower projects protect ecosystems, water quality, and wildlife while meeting energy needs. They conduct environmental impact assessments, monitor habitat health, and develop strategies to support fish passage and river restoration. Their work bridges science, policy, and community values, shaping hydropower solutions that are both renewable and responsible.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
The Legal discipline in the hydropower industry involves navigating the complex laws, regulations, and contracts that govern energy production, environmental protection, and public safety. Legal professionals help ensure compliance, manage risk, support regulatory approvals, and address issues related to property rights, licensing, and dispute resolution. Their work is crucial in helping hydropower projects operate smoothly within legal frameworks and community standards.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
The Operations & Maintenance discipline focuses on keeping hydropower facilities running safely, efficiently, and reliably. This field involves monitoring equipment, performing routine inspections, troubleshooting issues, and conducting repairs to ensure continuous power generation. Professionals in this area work hands-on with turbines, generators, control systems, and other critical infrastructure to maximize performance and extend the life of hydropower assets.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
This discipline guides hydropower projects from concept to completion while ensuring they meet technical, environmental, legal, and community requirements. Professionals in this area coordinate teams, manage budgets and timelines, and navigate permitting, licensing, and regulatory processes. Their work helps align projects with long-term energy goals, sustainability standards, and public interest.
Examples of job roles in this field include:
The hydropower industry offers a wide range of career opportunities, from engineering and environmental science to policy, restoration, and tribal energy leadership. Careers are available at various education and training levels, ranging from skilled trades to engineering and technical positions, across sectors such as utilities, construction, and manufacturing.
Explore job openings across sectors and find your path in this dynamic, growing field. Here are a few examples of organizations offering opportunities to help you start exploring the field.*
For a list of current job openings, visit the NHA Career Center.
Internships offer a vital first step into the hydropower and river restoration fields, providing hands-on experience, skill development, and exposure to real-world projects. Whether you’re a student or early-career professional, internships across academia, government, industry, and nonprofits can help launch your career in clean energy and water management. Below are some organizations that offer internships to support your exploration.*
Mentorship programs offer valuable guidance, networking, and hands-on experience for those looking to enter or grow within the hydropower, river restoration, and public safety fields. From student internships to early-career fellowships, these opportunities help connect emerging professionals with industry leaders and experts. Below are a few mentorship programs to explore as you navigate your career.*
*Disclaimer: The companies listed on this page are provided as examples of organizations operating in the hydropower industry. Inclusion in this list does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by these companies. All information has been compiled from publicly available sources or as provided to the Hydropower Foundation or its affiliates by the listed organization and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. Please refer to each company’s official website for the most up-to-date information regarding career opportunities.
Hydropower is one of the world’s oldest renewable energy sources. Early projects were engineering marvels that powered communities and supported economic growth, reflecting the priorities and knowledge of the time. But many projects came with tradeoffs, impacting river ecosystems, fish populations, and Indigenous lands and lifeways. Over the decades, as understanding of these impacts has deepened, so have efforts to design more sustainable and equitable solutions.
Through ongoing engineering innovations advancing this “gray” infrastructure, hydropower’s environmental performance continues to improve, shaping a greener energy future. Today, through collaboration among industry leaders, tribes, scientists, and conservationists, hydropower is evolving to support both clean energy goals and healthier rivers.
This timeline was developed as part of the Uncommon Dialogue Working Group on Hydropower, River Restoration, and Public Safety, and it traces the milestones and partnerships that have helped move hydropower toward a greener future.
Humans have utilized water for power for millennia, with the earliest forms of water-powered mills being found in ancient Greece, China, and Imperial Rome. However, it was not until the 19th century that hydropower was used to generate electricity.
In 1849, James B. Francis invented the Francis turbine, a model still widely used today. Around forty years later, in 1882, the world’s first hydropower plant began generating power on the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin. In 1887, a second plant opened in San Bernadino, California
By the start of the 20th century, hydropower in the United States was growing rapidly. By 1920, it supplied about 25% of the nation’s electricity.
That same year, Congress passed the Federal Waterpower Act (later renamed the Federal Power Act), which established the Federal Power Commission (FPC) and set up a licensing system for hydropower projects. The first license issued was to the Niagara Falls Power Company in 1921.
The completion of Hoover Dam on the Colorado River in 1936 marked the beginning of an era of large-scale multipurpose projects. Funded in part through Depression-era emergency spending, Hoover and subsequent projects such as the Central Valley Project in California and the Bonneville and Grand Coulee dams on the Columbia River combined electricity generation with flood control and irrigation.
While these projects greatly expanded energy supply and supported regional economies, they also fundamentally reshaped river systems and displaced communities.
During World War II, demand for electricity grew rapidly to support military manufacturing. The Bureau of Reclamation expanded hydropower output, aided by New Deal investments. Between 1940 and 1945, Bureau facilities generated about 47 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.
This expansion supported both the war and civilian needs but also deepened reliance on large-scale dams with long-term ecological and social impacts.
Environmental awareness surged in the 1970s alongside the modern environmental movement. Publications such as Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and new federal regulations, including the National Environmental Protection Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, prompted greater scrutiny of hydropower.
Despite being a carbon-free energy source, hydropower faced increasing criticism for impacts on ecosystems, fish passage, and river health. Industry goals began to shift from a narrower focus on energy generation toward more balanced approaches that incorporated environmental considerations.
In 1977, the Department of Energy Organization Act replaced the FPC with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), an independent regulatory agency overseeing hydropower licensing, dam safety, and electricity transmission.
A decade later, the Electric Consumers Protection Act amended the Federal Power Act to require FERC to consider environmental and consumer interests alongside power production in the re-licensing process.
The removal of the Elwha Dam in Washington became a landmark case in balancing energy infrastructure with environmental and cultural values. Authorized under the Elwha River Ecosystem and Fisheries Restoration Act, the dam’s removal (2011-2014) restored salmon runs and honored tribal treaty rights, setting a precedent for how outdated hydropower facilities might be reconsidered in the light of broader community and ecological needs.
The Skagit River Hydroelectric Project in Washington, licensed in 1927, became one of the first projects to undergo relicensing. Seattle City Light negotiated a comprehensive settlement with agencies, tribes, and environmental groups, creating a model for collaborative relicensing that has influenced projects across the country.
By the late 20th century, concerns about hydropower’s environmental and community impacts had become more prominent.
Fish passage, water quality, and cultural resource protection were central issues in relicensing debates, and environmental groups increasingly pressed for higher standards.
In response, the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) was established in 1999 as an independent nonprofit. Its purpose was to provide a voluntary certification program for hydropower facilities that meet science-based criteria for reducing ecological and social impacts.
The first certified facility was the Monroe Drop project in 2000, marking the start of a program that continues to evolve alongside changes in hydropower policy and practice.
The following year, the World Commission on Dams released Dams and Development: A New Framework for Decision Making, which examined the global environmental and social impacts of large dams. The report identified five guiding values:
These values continue to influence hydropower policy and practice today.
In 2006, Washington State passed the Energy Independence Act (I-937), requiring large utilities to obtain a portion of their electricity from renewable sources and invest in conservation.
The law set renewable energy targets, reaching 15% by 2020, helping to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.
The Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol (HSAP), released in 2019 by the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance, provided a framework to evaluate projects across more than 20 sustainability topics.
Developed with input from governments, NGOs, banks, and industry, the protocol emphasized multi-stakeholder engagement and accountability.
Across the United States, more than 90,000 dams lack power-generating capacity, compared with roughly 2,500 hydropower-producing facilities.
A 2012 Oak Ridge National Laboratory study identified nearly 600 non-powered dams with potential to generate significant electricity if retrofitted.
Retrofitting has since emerged as an alternative to new dam construction, with the potential to add renewable capacity while avoiding some of the environmental costs of new dams. By 2019, 32 non-powered dams were set to start generating hydropower.
Tribal nations have also advanced hydropower governance. In 2015, after decades of effort, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes assumed ownership of the Kerr Dam, renamed the Se̓liš Ksanka Ql̓ispe̓ Dam, on the Flathead Reservation in Montana.
The transfer marked an important step in tribal sovereignty and energy independence.
In recent years, initiatives like the Uncommon Dialogue on Hydropower, River Restoration, and Public Safety have brought together diverse stakeholders to find common ground on contentious issues.
The effort has led to new frameworks, including the “three Rs”:
Rehabilitating existing projects,
Retrofitting non-powered dams, and
Restoring river systems through removal.
The Hydropower Sustainability Standard, launched in 2021, built on earlier efforts to create a certification framework addressing 12 environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics. The standard emphasizes accountability and best practices in hydropower development.
Educational initiatives also connect hydropower to conservation and community values.
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Salmon in the Classroom program, which began in 1991, engages students in salmon ecology and river stewardship.
Its annual Salmon Summit introduces youth to environmental science and potential careers in hydropower and STEM.
Looking forward, hydropower is adapting to technological and environmental challenges.
Emerging tools such as artificial intelligence and digital time technology are being explored to improve dam safety, maintenance, and operational efficiency.
At the same time, continued collaboration with conservation, tribal, and public safety partners will be critical to ensuring hydropower’s role in a clean energy future while addressing ecological and community needs.
Seattle City Light’s Skagit Project in Washington’s North Cascades was one of the first large dams to undergo relicensing under the Federal Power Act. Facing new expectations for environmental stewardship and tribal consultation, the utility negotiated directly with tribes, agencies, and environmental groups. The result was a comprehensive settlement agreement that balanced power generation with fish passage, habitat protection, and cultural resources. This pioneering approach set the stage for collaborative relicensing across the country. 
The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (CTWS) became co-owners of the Pelton Round Butte Project with Portland General Electric in 2001, marking a landmark collaboration in the hydropower industry. This partnership led to major advancements in fish passage restoration, including the use of Selective Water Withdrawal—a technology that draws water from different depths of the reservoir to create ideal conditions for fish migration and river health. With support from a broad coalition of Tribal, governmental, and environmental groups, the project has reopened over 250 miles of historic fish habitat and enabled the downstream passage of 1.6 million juvenile fish. The success of these efforts helped earn Low Impact Hydropower Institute recertification in 2023 and secured $250 million in federal funding to modernize infrastructure. The project continues to demonstrate how innovative technology and inclusive partnerships can deliver clean energy to over 150,000 homes while restoring ecosystems.
In Maine, the Penobscot Nation, hydropower companies, state and federal agencies, and conservation groups forged a landmark agreement. The plan removed or bypassed several dams, improved fish passage on others, and even slightly increased overall energy production through system-wide optimization. By linking ecological restoration with renewable generation, the project became a global model of river basin collaborative and inspired future efforts, including the Uncommon Dialogue.
On Montana’s Flathead Reservation, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes achieved a decades–long goal: taking ownership of the former Kerr Dam. In 2015, they became the first Tribe in the nation to operate and manage a major hydroelectric facility. The Se̓liš Ksanka Ql̓ispe̓ Dam now produces over one million megawatt-hours annually, with revenues upporting community priorities. The transfer was a landmark in tribal sovereignty, demonstrating how Indigenous leadership can shape the future of energy and natural resource management.
On the Oconaluftee River in North Carolina, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians partnered with American Rivers, agencies, and other groups to remove the Ela Dam. The small hydropower facility produced little electricity, but blocked access to more than 500 miles of habitat. With support from federal infrastructure funding, its removal restores endangered species habitat and returns management of the river reach to the Tribe. The project demonstrates how dam removal can align with tribal sovereignty and ecological recovery.
In 2024, 108 dams were taken down across the United States, tying the national record set in 2019. While most were small, non-powered structures removed for safety reasons, the cumulative impact was significant: more than 2,500 miles of rivers were reopened. The removals reflect growing momentum for reconnecting waterways, improving safety, and rethinking outdated infrastructure on a national scale.
Stanford University’s Uncommon Dialogue created a scape for traditionally opposed groups to meet on equal footing. Rather than debating positions, participants worked toward shared priorities: modernizing hydropower, improving dam safety, and restoring rivers. This framework shifted the tone of national conversations, replacing conflict with collaboration.
Participants in the Uncommon Dialogue issued a joint statement committing to two central goals: expanding renewable hydropower to decarbonize the grid and supporting healthy, free-flowing rivers. They outlined three strategies as the basis for balancing energy and ecological outcomes: rehabilitation, retrofit, and removal of dams. This was one of the first times such diverse stakeholders publicly aligned on hydropower’s dual role in climate and conservation.
To carry the Joint Statement into action, participants formed Working Groups focused on licensing reform, dam safety, basin-scale planning, valuation of services, and restoration strategies. A later group addressed workforce development, ensuring that the next generation of professionals could sustain these efforts. The Working Groups created a mechanism for continuous collaboration and policy innovation.
Congress allocated $2.3 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to priorities identified through the Uncommon Dialogue, including dam safety, retrofits, removals, and modernization. This investment was one of the largest in hydropower and river restoration in U.S. history, reflecting the national impact of collaborative stakeholder engagement.
Introduced in Congress, the 21st Century Dams Act proposed more than $65 billion for dam safety, retrofits, and removals. While it did not become law, the proposal built on momentum from the infrastructure package and signaled the growing recognition of the nation’s aging dam infrastructure as both a safety concern and an opportunity for innovation.
Working Group 6 of the Uncommon Dialogue developed a set of proposed amendments to the Federal Power Act. The package recommended stronger tribal consultation, incorporation of climate considerations, improved license surrender pathways, and faster approval for low-impact projects. While still under consideration, it represents a significant stakeholder-led push to modernize federal hydropower regulation.
Countries including Portugal and India began deploying floating solar panels on hydropower reservoirs, creating hybrid energy generation systems. These projects generate additional renewable electricity while reducing evaporation and making better use of existing infrastructure. The model points toward efficient land use and synergies between renewable energy technologies.
Douglas Public Utilities Department in Washington State launched a facility to produce green hydrogen using surplus hydropower. The plant splits water molecules with an electrolyzer powered by nearby dams, creating a storage-ready fuel. This integration highlights how hydropower can stabilize the grid while supporting emerging clean energy sectors.
Uncommon Dialogue’s Working Group 1 published a paper surveying advancements in fish passage, closed-loop pumped storage, civil engineering, and other technologies. The report underscored how innovation can improve environmental outcomes, increase generation efficiency, and enhance resilience in a changing climate.
Natel Energy, an Uncommon Dialogue participant, developed new turbine designs that allow fish to pass safely while maintaining efficiency. These designs demonstrate how hydropower can better align with ecosystem needs.
Researchers from Working Group 4, alongside researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, published a model for assessing hydropower’s ability to provide flexible grid services while meeting environmental flow requirements. This tool supports more informed planning at the intersection of energy and ecosystem needs.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Department of Energy’s Waterpower Technologies Office launched the Training, Outreach, and Recruitment for Cybersecurity in Hydropower (TORCH) program to address cybersecurity challenges in hydropower. By linking academia and industry, the program develops training pathways to strengthen workforce capacity in an area critical to grid resilience.
Cat Creek Energy initiated a pre-feasibility study for a pumped storage project in Idaho. The study emphasized early stakeholder engagement and transparent planning, aiming to integrate energy storage with community and environmental considerations.
The Bureau of Reclamation and the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority negotiated an agreement to raise the B.F. Sisk Dam and expand the reservoir in California’s Central Valley. The expansion will create an additional 130,000 acre-feet of storage capacity, boosting water supply reliability for millions of residents, farmers, and wetlands, securing 135,000 acres of Pacific Flyway wetlandsxl. This project illustrates how collaborative infrastructure planning can address climate-driven challenges in water management.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers adopted a phased reservoir management strategy in the Cumberland River Basin. Using advanced hydrologic modeling, the plan coordinates multiplate dams and levees to balance flood risk management, hydropower, water supply, and ecological needs. The approach demonstrates the potential of basin-scale, data-driven water management.
Six major industry associations formed the Global Renewables Alliance to coordinate action on tripling renewable capacity worldwide by 2030. By linking governments, investors, and civil society, the coalition aims to accelerate the clean energy transition on a global scale.
Building on the success of the Hydropower Uncommon Dialogue, Stanford University, The Nature Conservancy, Solar and Storage Industries Institute, and Solar Energy Industry Association convened a parallel initiative on large scale solar development in the U.S. The Solar Uncommon Dialogue brings together developers, tribes, community engagement experts, and regulators to address challenges of siting and ecosystem impacts for large-scale solar projects.
Google and Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners signed a $3 billion agreement securing 24/7 carbon-free electricity for Google’s operations. The deal highlights growing corporate demand for flexible, dispatchable clean energy, and positions hydropower as a key contributor to technology sector decarbonization.