Apprentice Construction Mechanic

About the role

We think you'll find it a rewarding and nurturing place to grow your career.

Essential Functions

• Learns to perform journey worker duties in areas including rough and finish carpentry, general repair work including plumbing, welding, roofing, masonry, and excavation work for duct lines, etc.
  • Install building insulation, flooring, framing, windows, and drywall.
  • Create crating, boxes, wedges, etc.
  • Install and repair mechanical doors, overhead doors, and pedestrian doors.
  • Learn to perform concrete and masonry work including laying of block and brick, installation of brick handholes.
  • Perform concrete work including mixing concrete, erecting concrete forms, working with precast concrete forms, finishing concrete work, placing and tying re-rod.
  • Learn to perform plumbing work requiring work with copper, plastic, cast and galvanized iron piping, sweat copper pipe, use copper flair and compression piping, work on plumbing fixtures, and repair sewer lines.
  • Learn to maintain railroad tracks including replacement of rails, ties, and switches; align rails, and clean switches.
  • Operate gandy, track machine and track punch.
  • Learn to perform roofing work including repairs of roofing and roof drains, spraying of roofing materials, as well as setting up roofing jobs.
  • Learn to read and interpret blueprints.
  • Learn to perform landscaping work including sodding and sod repair, lawn repairs, lawn mowing, and snowplow work.
  • Learn to perform excavation work, shore excavations, install manholes, and lay duct lines.
  • Learn to set up and perform precipitator cleaning.
  • Clean oil spills when required.
  • Learn to operate various tools and equipment necessary to carry out work including air compressors, concrete saw; gas tamp, chain saw, portable power saw, grinders, cutoff saw, chipping hammer, core boring machine, jackhammer, rotor hammer, sod cutter, mortar box, pipe cutters, torches, and other assorted power tools.
  • Learn to operate various pieces of mobile equipment including dozers, lowboys, backhoes, tandem trucks, trash truck, forklifts, hydro lifts, power scaffolds, Hilti machine, etc.
  • Climb and work from ladders and scaffolds.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift/carry up to 75 lbs. from floor to waist for positioning materials and equipment.
• Must lift 50 lbs. from waist to overhead.
• Must be able to climb and work from ladders and scaffolding.
• Good visual acuity required for blueprint reading and performing mechanical tasks.
• Good depth perception required for overhead crane operation.
• Must be able to operate hand and foot controls of tandem truck, forklift, and other pieces of equipment.
• Must have adequate hearing to localize sounds and understand speech communication in noisy environment.
• Must pass respirator certification.

Working Conditions

• Works indoors and outdoors in all temperature and humidity ranges.
• Noise level can be high at times.
• Dust levels are moderate to high, respirator use is occasionally required.
• Must be able to work in confined and enclosed spaces.
• Possible exposure to coal dust, asbestos, and lead.

Job Specifications

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Must be in Pre-Apprenticeship Pool.
  • Minimum qualifications include: Math – Level 5; Reading - Level 4; and Writing – Level 4.
  • Must have a driver’s license with an acceptable driving record and must continue to maintain CDL with Class A and N endorsements.
  • Must be able to work flexible schedule (0500 – 1900 hours), five consecutive days (Monday – Saturday).

Benefits

• Competitive wages, employee development, and opportunity for professional growth.
• Robust time off benefits including vacation, free choice, sick leave, parental leave and 11 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive benefits package offered including medical, prescription, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, employee assistance program.
• Voluntary benefits including vision, supplemental and dependent life insurance, flexible spending, AFLAC options, LifeLock anti-theft, long term care, tuition reimbursement, and BWL's Home Purchase Plan – Forgivable $5,000 loan for purchase of a home in Lansing.
• Retirement programs including 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan (DC) (100% company paid up to 9.5 % of base salary for BU positions and up to 13% of base salary for NBU positions), 457 Deferred Compensation matches up to $2,500 per year.
• Post retirement benefits offered at the respective level of coverage, co-pays and health care premium, at the same level as active employees.
• Two fitness centers located on site open 24/7, work life balance program, employee assistance program, free parking and much more!

About BWL

The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Lansing's city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country's best publicly-owned utilities. The Location: Lansing lies at the heart of the Great Lakes State and offers all the beauty and splendor of the four seasons. A haven for swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, golf, and hunting, mid-Michigan is also just a couple hours from premier skiing and one of the most beautiful freshwater lakeshores in the world on our Lake Michigan Coast. Lansing itself is only minutes and miles away from two of the nation’s premier universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and boasts miles of walking, running, biking trails, Potter Park Zoo, professional sports, the arts, and fine dining.