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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Electric Power Technician

💰 $55,000 - $95,000

Skilled TradesEnergyUtilitiesEngineeringField Service

🎯 Role Definition

As an Electric Power Technician, you are the backbone of our energy infrastructure. You are a highly skilled professional entrusted with the critical responsibility of installing, maintaining, and repairing the complex electrical systems that power our communities. This hands-on role requires a sharp analytical mind, a steadfast commitment to safety, and the technical prowess to work on high-voltage equipment like transformers, circuit breakers, and switchgear. You will be at the forefront of ensuring grid reliability, troubleshooting complex issues under pressure, and implementing the next generation of power technology. If you're passionate about hands-on problem-solving and want a career with tangible impact, this is your opportunity to keep the lights on and the world moving.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Electrical Technician Apprenticeship Program
  • Associate's Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or a related field
  • Military service with a background in electrical systems (e.g., Navy Electrician's Mate, Air Force Electrical Power Production)

Advancement To:

  • Lead Power Technician / Senior Substation Technician
  • Substation Supervisor or Maintenance Foreman
  • System Operator or Power Dispatcher
  • Protection & Control or Relay Specialist
  • Electrical Engineer (with continued education)

Lateral Moves:

  • Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Technician
  • Renewable Energy Technician (Wind/Solar)
  • Field Service Engineer for an equipment manufacturer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform comprehensive installation, routine maintenance, and complex repair of high-voltage electrical equipment including power transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, and capacitor banks to ensure grid stability and reliability.
  • Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve malfunctions in complex electrical power systems, substations, and distribution networks using advanced diagnostic tools, schematics, and testing procedures to rapidly restore service.
  • Conduct a wide range of diagnostic tests on power system apparatus, such as power factor, insulation resistance, contact resistance, and transformer turns ratio (TTR) analysis, to assess equipment health and predict potential failures.
  • Rigorously adhere to all company, state, and federal safety regulations, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, arc flash safety protocols (NFPA 70E), and the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to maintain a zero-incident work environment.
  • Interpret and work from complex technical documents, including single-line diagrams, schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, and electrical blueprints, to execute installation, modification, and repair tasks with precision.
  • Operate, inspect, and maintain protective relaying and control systems, ensuring they function correctly to isolate faults and protect high-value assets from damage.
  • Execute switching orders and perform high-voltage switching procedures in substations and on the distribution system to isolate equipment for maintenance or to reroute power during emergencies.
  • Install and commission new substation equipment, including control panels, battery systems, and SCADA/RTU hardware, ensuring seamless integration into the existing power grid.
  • Respond to emergency call-outs and system outages, working under pressure in various weather conditions to safely and efficiently identify faults and restore power.
  • Perform detailed visual and operational inspections of substation infrastructure, including structures, foundations, fences, and grounding systems, to identify and report potential hazards or maintenance needs.
  • Maintain and test substation DC systems, including battery banks, chargers, and distribution panels, which are critical for control and protection during a power loss.
  • Collect and analyze oil samples from transformers and circuit breakers to test for dissolved gases and other contaminants that indicate internal equipment problems.
  • Document all maintenance activities, test results, and repairs meticulously in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to ensure accurate equipment history and regulatory compliance.
  • Utilize and operate specialized heavy equipment such as bucket trucks, aerial lifts, and mobile cranes to access and work on elevated electrical components.
  • Collaborate with system operators, engineers, and other field personnel to coordinate work, ensure system integrity, and execute complex projects safely.
  • Calibrate and test a variety of electronic and electromechanical devices, including meters, transducers, and recorders, to ensure their accuracy.
  • Manage and maintain an inventory of spare parts, tools, and testing equipment, ensuring they are in good working order and readily available for scheduled and unscheduled work.
  • Participate in the development and review of maintenance procedures and job safety analyses to continuously improve work practices and enhance team safety.
  • Provide on-the-job training and mentorship to apprentice technicians, sharing technical knowledge and reinforcing a strong safety culture.
  • Install, terminate, and test medium-voltage power cables, control wiring, and fiber optic communication lines within substations and industrial facilities.
  • Perform thermographic (infrared) inspections on electrical equipment to proactively identify hot spots and potential points of failure before they escalate.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain detailed maintenance logs and prepare comprehensive technical reports on equipment condition, work performed, and recommendations for future action.
  • Manage inventory of spare parts, tools, and critical equipment to ensure availability for emergency repairs and planned maintenance activities.
  • Provide technical support and guidance to junior technicians and apprentices on complex tasks and advanced safety procedures.
  • Participate in an on-call rotation to provide 24/7 emergency response to power outages and critical equipment failures.
  • Assist engineering teams with the design review, site walk-downs, and commissioning of new substation equipment and system upgrade projects.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • High-Voltage Equipment Maintenance (Circuit Breakers, Transformers, Regulators)
  • Substation Operations & High-Voltage Theory
  • Reading & Interpreting Electrical Schematics, Blueprints, and Single-Line Diagrams
  • Protective Relay Testing & Theory (experience with Omicron or Doble test sets)
  • AC/DC Fundamentals and Power Systems Principles
  • Use of Electrical Test Equipment (Megger, DLRO, TTR, Power Factor Tester)
  • Advanced Troubleshooting & Fault Diagnosis
  • SCADA and Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) systems
  • Knowledge of NERC/FERC Compliance and OSHA Regulations
  • Cable Splicing and Termination Techniques
  • Understanding of NFPA 70E / Arc Flash Hazard Safety

Soft Skills

  • Unwavering Commitment to Safety
  • Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
  • High Attention to Detail and Precision
  • Ability to Work Independently and as Part of a Team
  • Clear and Effective Communication (Verbal and Written)
  • Calmness and Composure Under Pressure
  • Adaptability to Changing Technologies and Weather Conditions
  • Strong Work Ethic and Self-Motivation

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED combined with a completed formal Apprenticeship Program in a relevant electrical trade.
  • OR an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technology, Power Systems Technology, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology (BSET).
  • NETA (InterNational Electrical Testing Association) Certification.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Power Systems Technology
  • Industrial Electronics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-7 years of hands-on experience as a technician in a high-voltage environment, such as a utility substation, power generation plant, or large industrial facility.

Preferred:

  • Journeyman-level certification or equivalent documented experience.
  • Direct experience maintaining and testing substation power transformers and circuit breakers.
  • Prior experience in a utility or transmission and distribution (T&D) environment is highly desirable.
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