Substation Technician EM

City of Naperville, Department of Public Utilities – Electric

About the role

The City of Naperville’s Electric Utility is seeking a Substation Technician to perform skilled work in installing and maintaining electric substation equipment and components. This position involves testing and repairing substation high-voltage lines, equipment, and switchgear, as well as substation construction and maintenance. Work may occur in confined spaces and/or on or near energized equipment, including manholes, handholes, and basements. This position is represented by the IBEW Local 9 union.

Responsibilities

• Use aerial buckets, hot stick tools, and other equipment to install, repair, and operate substation underground and overhead high-voltage electric utility lines, transformers, switchgear, and other substation equipment.
• Locate, isolate, and repair electric lines, cables, and other component parts of the substation.
• Install and repair component parts of electric substations, such as power transformers, metering equipment, conduits, circuit breakers, switchgear, panel board wiring, and other parts.
• Operate, interrogate, program, and install electronic equipment and controls, including using computers to program and download information.
• Install, read, and record data from a variety of monitoring equipment and instrumentation.
• Assist in the construction of substation structures, including towers, poles, buswork, underground cables, and high-tension lines.
• Maintain and care for equipment and tools used in electric utility construction and maintenance.
• Perform substation switching operations and testing, such as taking readings, oil tests, relay tests, and troubleshooting.
• Perform routine substation grounds maintenance as assigned.
• Work in energized manholes or similar locations and structures.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• One to three years of substation construction or maintenance experience.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Post-twelfth grade technical training and skills in electrical maintenance, electronics, and mechanical devices.
• Valid State of Illinois Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).

A test will be given to each candidate to assess qualifications and skills related to the needs of the substation group.

Pay

Starting salary: $65.41 per hour (2025 rate). The 2026 wage will be implemented once a new collective bargaining agreement is ratified.

Benefits

Wage rates and other benefits are subject to the language in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Schedule

Full-time.