Substation Electrician Journey or Apprentice

About the role

Responsible for general installation and maintenance of substation, power plant substation, small hydro‑plant, and combustion turbine equipment.

Training Locations

• Ames Operations Center
• IPL Technical Training Center
• Mason City Operations Center

Residency Requirement

Travel time from your primary residence to your assigned headquarters must be 60 minutes or less under normal driving conditions.

Responsibilities

• Installs, commissions, maintains and troubleshoots substation power transformers, circuit breakers, metal‑clad switchgear, oil circuit reclosers, load tap changers, voltage regulators and controls, capacitor banks and controls, circuit switchers, lightning arresters, battery and battery chargers, motors, underground high‑voltage and control cables in transmission, distribution, and power‑plant substations.
• Commissions, maintains and troubleshoots oil switches.
• Installs and maintains fiber‑optic cable from terminal equipment and control panels to high‑voltage substation equipment.
• Installs substation protective relays, substation metering, substation interchange metering, substation current transformers, coupling capacitors, digital and analog telemetering, power‑line carrier transmitters/receivers, wave‑traps and carrier‑tuning equipment, transfer‑trip carrier and tone equipment, fiber‑optic and metallic inner‑panel cable, transducers, digital fault recorders, sequence‑of‑events recorders, telephones, substation LANs, distribution‑automation communications circuits from the demarc to internal equipment, and packet radio.
• Installs terminations on high‑voltage underground substation cables.
• Performs line switching for substation maintenance and construction activities.
• Prepares and maintains records of equipment tests and maintenance, keeps operating records, prepares purchase authorizations, and performs other administrative work as required.
• Makes special tests as directed in connection with operation, maintenance and design of all types of electrical equipment and systems.
• Installs, commissions, maintains and troubleshoots customer‑owned equipment on non‑commodity projects.
• Trains fellow employees in related activities.
• Performs other similar, related or incidental duties.
• Must report to work fit for duty and free from the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
• May be required to perform first‑responder duties and basic troubleshooting on telecommunications and system‑protection equipment problems.

Requirements

• 2 years formal education in electrical and electronic theory and fundamentals equivalent to completion of CIE Course 1B.
• 4 years technical experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of metering, electrical and electronic plant and substation equipment.
• Related training through an accredited electrical apprenticeship program may substitute for the two years formal education, as determined by the JATC.
• Must hold a CDL and may operate vehicles that require a CDL (company policy applies).
• Subject to DOT drug and alcohol testing requirements under 49 CFR Part 40 and FMCSA regulations (Part 382).
• Basic knowledge of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC), National Electric Code (NEC), and Alliant Service Standards.
• Knowledge of electric utility systems operation, maintenance and construction practices.
• Demonstrated mechanical ability.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply blueprints, maintenance manuals, technical manuals, and electrical/electronic circuit diagrams; analyze test results to locate and remedy trouble.
• Ability to read and comprehend Right‑To‑Know information.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Willingness to work long overtime hours to maintain continuity of service during emergencies.

Pay

Pay range: $42.00 – $56.00 per hour.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive health and retirement benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Volunteer opportunities
• Safety‑focused work environment