ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION MECHANIC (3879) (REVISED 5/21/26)

About the role

An entry-level Electric Distribution Mechanic works as a trainee under close supervision of journey-level workers. Journey-level Electric Distribution Mechanics perform skilled mechanical and electrical work in connection with the construction, maintenance, and repair of energized and/or de-energized overhead and underground electric transmission, subtransmission, distribution, communication, and utilitarian street light lines, cables, and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the construction, maintenance, and repair of overhead electric power sub-transmission and distribution lines and equipment.
• Constructs high-voltage distribution pole lines.
• Makes construction changes to existing lines and equipment.
• Repairs power lines and line equipment.
• Repairs and reroutes services.
• Sets poles.
• Installs transformer racks.
• Hangs and installs transformers and switches of various types and sizes.
• Installs overhead street lights and guy wires.
• Makes repairs to energized lines.
• Performs limited line clearance tree trimming.
• Installs watt-hour meters.
• Uses appropriate live line tools to install and remove approved protective covering on energized distribution and sub-transmission circuits of 7.5kV and above.
• Climbs poles.
• Assists in the construction, maintenance, and repair of underground electric power, transmission, subtransmission, and distribution cable work.
• Pulls cables and service lines through sub-structures, vaults, duct lines, up poles and walls, over roofs of buildings and to customers’ service panels.
• Performs rigging operations of cable pulling equipment.
• Installs and removes transformers and related equipment in vaults and sub-structures.
• Splices energized and de-energized low-voltage cables, splices high voltage de-energized cables.
• Maintains gas and oil filled cable and equipment.
• Installs watt hour meters.
• Climbs poles as related to underground work.

Requirements

• Completion of an apprenticeship program sanctioned by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) national organization in conjunction with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and possession of a valid journey-level line worker card issued by IBEW.
• A pole climbing proficiency certificate issued by an accredited lineman’s college or by the Department of Water and Power, Power System Safety and Training, or completion of a recognized Advanced Training Pole Climbing program while in the United States military.
• One of the following:
• Six months of full-time paid experience assisting or working on an overhead and/or underground Electrical Distribution or Transmission Construction, Maintenance, or Electric Trouble crew and assisting with and/or performing high-voltage line work in and on high-voltage power poles, transmission towers, and underground electric substructures.
• Six months experience must be specific to assisting with and/or performing work at voltages of 4.16-kV and above.
• Six months of full-time experience performing electrical work on equipment and circuits in the maintenance or construction of electrical distribution systems while in the United States military.
• Eighteen months of full-time paid experience performing line clearance tree trimming.
• Eighteen months of full-time paid training and experience chipping around energized 4.8-kV and 34.5-kV electrical conduit systems.
• Certificate of completion of the Electrical Lineman Program from Northwest Lineman College.
• Certificate of completion of the Powerline Mechanic-Trainee Program from the Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Qualifications

• Completion of an apprenticeship program sanctioned by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) national organization in conjunction with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and possession of a valid journey-level line worker card issued by IBEW; or
• A pole climbing proficiency certificate issued by an accredited lineman’s college or by the Department of Water and Power, Power System Safety and Training, or completion of a recognized Advanced Training Pole Climbing program while in the United States military; and
• One of the following:
• Six months of full-time paid experience assisting or working on an overhead and/or underground Electrical Distribution or Transmission Construction, Maintenance, or Electric Trouble crew and assisting with and/or performing high-voltage line work in and on high-voltage power poles, transmission towers, and underground electric substructures.
• Six months experience must be specific to assisting with and/or performing work at voltages of 4.16-kV and above.
• Six months of full-time experience performing electrical work on equipment and circuits in the maintenance or construction of electrical distribution systems while in the United States military.
• Eighteen months of full-time paid experience performing line clearance tree trimming.
• Eighteen months of full-time paid training and experience chipping around energized 4.8-kV and 34.5-kV electrical conduit systems.
• Certificate of completion of the Electrical Lineman Program from Northwest Lineman College.
• Certificate of completion of the Powerline Mechanic-Trainee Program from the Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Skills

• Ability to operate various tools and equipment while working in the confined area of an underground vault.
• Ability to climb power poles and utilize various tools and equipment at the top of a pole.

Benefits

• Annual salary for trainee positions: $130,604 to $167,916; and $136,972 to $176,101.
• Journey-level positions: $195,666 (flat-rated); $204,874 (flat-rated); and; $215,335 (flat-rated).

Pay

• For trainee positions: $130,604 to $167,916; and $136,972 to $176,101
• For journey-level positions: $195,666 (flat-rated); $204,874 (flat-rated); and; $215,335 (flat-rated)

Schedule

• All Electric Distribution Mechanics are required to drive commercial vehicles.