Substation Electrician Apprentice I

About the Role

The Substation Electrician Apprentice I, under direct supervision, performs various tasks in construction, operations, and maintenance of electric substation and transmission facilities, including distribution and transmission breakers and apparatus, power transformers, control systems, structures, substation properties, and transmission rights of way. This role responds to trouble calls relating to substations during and after normal business hours in all weather conditions. The apprentice is expected to learn NBU systems and processes to execute both routine and abnormal work activities safely and efficiently, developing skills and knowledge to enhance the overall team's capability.

The Substation Electrician Apprentice I must complete training and demonstrate competency in the skills established within Level I of NBU's Substation Apprenticeship Program after 12 months. In extraordinary circumstances, up to 6 additional months may be granted with management approval.

Responsibilities

• Substation and Transmission Operations
  • Maintain clean and organized work areas, including service trucks, control houses, storerooms, and work stations.
  • Assist with substation and transmission operations tasks, including 12.5 kV and 138 kV switching operations and information gathering activities.
  • Support purchasing, storing, receiving, retrieving, and distributing equipment, tools, and supplies.
  • Assist NBU staff with tasks related to or collocated with substations and transmission rights of way.
  • Learn about substation design plan sets and technical specifications with guidance from senior personnel.
  • Schedule, plan, and complete training courses and competency demonstrations detailed in Level I of the NBU Substation Apprenticeship program.
• Substation and Transmission Maintenance
  • Assist with periodic site and equipment inspections, report findings, and perform routine maintenance items.
  • Change compressed gas cylinders and perform equipment maintenance as prescribed by the manufacturer.
  • Replace, adjust, and modify equipment and components.
  • Conduct infrared camera inspections and address areas of concern.
  • Perform power and control wiring repairs on AC and DC power systems and equipment.
  • Assist with periodic and reactive inspections of transmission lines and rights of way and report findings.
• Substation and Transmission Construction
  • Assist with building, modifying, and enhancing substation and transmission facilities.
  • Learn to ensure safety and quality of construction and capital improvement activities performed on and around NBU facilities by contractors, consultants, NBU staff, LCRA, and other utility personnel.
  • Learn construction project management duties, including reviewing and developing project contracts, design drawings, and specifications.
  • Supervise contractors and consultants, inspect their work products, and resolve requests for information and change orders.
  • Resolve material procurements and review project completion, reporting successes, lessons learned, and opportunities for improvement.
• General Responsibilities
  • Learn and perform new skills consistently and recall them for future application.
  • Develop an understanding of operations concepts to repeat similar tasks in differing circumstances and environments.
  • Work on and near equipment energized at hazardous voltage levels in confined spaces and at hazardous heights.
  • Read, write, and understand verbal and written communications in English.
  • Understand design plan sets and technical specifications.
  • Lift and carry tools, equipment, and materials in hazardous environments and across uneven ground.
  • Distinguish colors accurately.
  • Maintain regular attendance and manage leave schedules to meet task deadlines.
  • Adhere to NBU safety and administrative policies, procedures, and practices at all times.
  • Ensure NBU staff, contracted staff, and visitors adhere to NBU safety and security standards.
  • Develop and maintain effective customer service skills for communications with co-workers, customers, and the public.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality of business, employee, and customer information.
  • Exemplify NBU Core Values: Safety, Team, Integrity, Culture, and Stewardship.
  • Participate in and support initiatives to reach annual NBU Performance Measures.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Class ‘C’ Driver’s License, maintained as a condition of employment.
• Must reside within a forty-five-minute response time of the NBU Service Center as measured by an internet mapping tool.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and safe work habits.
• Positive technical and behavioral performance history.
• Flexibility in work schedule, including emergency response, holidays, weekends, and after-hours as required.
• On-call duty (24 hours per day, 7 days per week, typically for two weeks at a time) required periodically.
• Verified previous Apprenticeship Program experience (NBU or other programs) and appropriate levels of field experience may qualify for placement within NBU’s Substation Apprenticeship Program; may require demonstration of knowledge and competency through field and/or classroom testing.
• Ability to use basic computer software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Outlook.