Photo: Shane gets ready to to embark on a snow survey with fellow Yuba Water coworkers.
Yuba Water Agency's electrical technician, Shane Jellsey, is responsible for safely and efficiently maintaining, troubleshooting and repairing the agency's electrical assets, including generators and transformers, as well as the protection devices that ensure the reliability of those assets. To put it simply, he essentially makes sure the hydropower we generate makes it onto the power grid. Scroll to learn more about Shane, his background and what he enjoys in his free time.
What is your background/formal education that led to where you are in your career today?
I spent eight years in the U.S. Navy, where I went through the advance electronics field pipeline. Once I got out, I worked as an instrument, controls and electrical technician for a couple different companies. I worked on combined cycle plants, peaker plants and geothermal plants over the course of the last 18 years.
How did you get involved in your current career path?
The electrical training I received in the Navy provided a skillset that landed me at my first power plant in 2006. I have been power planting ever since!
Photo: Shane and his wife, Sara, snap a selfie at Pu'u Kila Lookout in Hawaii.
What does your average day look like? Or what are some of your essential duties?
An average day has us verifying that there are no safety or operations issues at our facilities, which are usually communicated during our morning meeting. If there aren't any issues, I continue with other projects and tasks at hand. Some essential duties include assisting our drafting team in maintaining our drawing database and helping our compliance team ensure that we have properly tested and documented required reports to our regulatory agencies. Additionally, I respond to any emergency trips and unplanned shutdowns at our powerhouses.
What do you enjoy most about working for Yuba Water?
The freedoms you have when you come into work and do your job with the support of coworkers and management to complete the task or project.
What are three words you would use to describe Yuba Water?
Genuine, uncommon, extensive
Tell us something about yourself that most of us don't know.
I have three kids and all of them are currently in college.
Before working here, what was the most interesting job you had?
Electronic warfare technician for the Navy.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy making memories with my family and friends, usually somewhere outdoors.