Substation Electrician/ Technician

Position Description:

The Substation Electrician / Technician performs journeyman-level electrical and mechanical work involved in the installation, preventive maintenance, testing, troubleshooting, and overhaul of high-voltage electric transmission and distribution substation equipment. Working within high-voltage environments (13kV to 230kV+), the technician ensures system reliability and safety in accordance with OSHA standards, the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), and NERC CIP regulations. This position serves on multi-person field crews, participates in high-voltage switching operations, and responds to unplanned system outages and storm restoration activities.

Key Responsibilities and Essential Duties:

1. High-Voltage Equipment Maintenance & Overhaul

A. Inspects, cleans, adjusts, tests, repairs, and overhauls high-voltage power transformers, oil/SF6/vacuum circuit breakers, voltage regulators, tap changers, switchgear, disconnect switches, buswork, and surge arresters.

B. Performs oil sampling, processing, and dielectric fluid filtering on major station apparatus.

·C. Maintains and repairs pneumatic, hydraulic, and motor-operated mechanism controls associated with circuit breakers and switches.

2. Switching Operations & Clearance Protocols

·A. Executes complex high-voltage and low-voltage switching procedures under the direction of System Dispatchers.

·B. Establishes safe working boundaries using proper lockout/tagout (LOTO), grounding equipment, and safety tagging protocols.

·C. Leads and participates in daily morning safety tailgates, job hazard analyses (JHA), and pre-job briefings.

3. Diagnostic Testing & Asset Management

A. Operates specialized electrical test equipment to conduct Doble power factor testing, transformer turns ratio (TTR), contact resistance (micro-ohm), insulation resistance (Megger), and sweep frequency response analysis (SFRA).

·B. Utilizes utility asset management software (e.g., Cascade) and specialized testing software suites to accurately record, analyze, and track equipment condition data.

4. Station Auxiliary & DC Backup Systems

· A. Inspects, tests, and maintains station auxiliary infrastructure, including station battery banks, battery chargers, DC distribution panels, and emergency standby generators.

· B. Troubleshoots AC/DC control circuits, station lighting, and auxiliary power supplies.

5. Emergency Response & On-Call Requirements

·A. Participates in an on-call rotation to respond to emergency equipment failures, forced outages, and weather-related restoration efforts.

·B. Operates heavy utility vehicles, including bucket trucks, crane trucks, and oil processing trailers, under all weather conditions.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Education & Experience

·A. High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

·B. Completion of an accredited 4-year Substation Electrician Apprenticeship program, OR 4+ years of journey-level experience in high-voltage substation maintenance with an electric utility or industrial facility.

·C. Preferred: Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or related discipline.

2. Licensure & Credentials

· A.  Valid State Driver's License with a clean driving record.

· B. Valid Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Tanker endorsement (or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire).

· C. Ability to pass pre-employment technical assessments (e.g., EEI CAST exam).

· D. Must qualify for North American Electric Reliability Corporation Critical Infrastructure Protection (NERC CIP) clearance within 6 months.

3. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

·A. Proficiency in reading single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, electrical schematics, and mechanical blueprints.

·B. In-depth knowledge of OSHA high-voltage safety regulations (OSHA 1910.269) and National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) rules.

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Team Fishel offers excellent industry training and a career development path for our Teammates. Competitive pay and benefits, including health insurance, 401k, and a company profit sharing plan!

Join Team Fishel, your future and your team.

EOE/DFWP