Summary
The Electrician Apprenticeship program is a formal 4-year program consisting of eight steps of 6 months each. The apprentice must pass an end-of-step review following each 6-month step to remain in this program. Apprentices will be promoted to journeyman after successfully passing the eighth step review.
The apprentice is expected to gain knowledge of various work processes with progressively difficult assignments throughout their apprenticeship.
Responsibilities
A successful candidate in the position of an Electrician Apprentice, under direct supervision of an Journeyman Electrician or Electrician Foreman, performs tasks which typically involve installation and adjustment (Construction) or maintenance and repair (Maintenance) of electrical equipment in Substations. The construction tasks include erection of new facilities or removal of old facilities. The maintenance tasks include routine inspection, modification, troubleshooting, and repair of facilities. Equipment serviced may be electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, and/or electronic.
An Electrician Apprentice:
- Installs and adjusts (construction) major electrical equipment such as power transformer and gas, oil, or air-insulated power circuit breakers; instrument and station service transformers, disconnect and circuit switches, protective devices, static capacitors, batteries and charges
- Maintains and repairs (maintenance) major electrical equipment in substations. When equipment fails, performs emergency repairs.
- Performs diagnostic testing to inspect parts and equipment.
- Performs work in shops on equipment components including bushings, motors, small power tools, etc. Assembles, installs, and modifies control and relay panels for substations.
- Assembles and erects steel racks and towers to support equipment.
- Installs and changes antennas, reflectors, transmitting or receiving devices, emergency power supplies, and other equipment located in microwave or radio stations.
- Occasionally takes clearances and performs switching to isolate a piece of equipment for repair.
- Conduit and trenches for equipment are installed under the service yard. Cables are pulled through the conduit.
- Completes associated documentation required of the above listed tasks.
- Drives 20-25% of the time in all weather conditions.
Travel Required
25% or less - Drives 20-25% of the time in all weather conditions.
Bonneville Power Administration
905 NE Eleventh Ave
Portland
Oregon United States
www.bpa.gov
