Electrician, Utilities

Penn State University•University Park, IL

About The Position

Penn State is seeking a full-time Electrician, Utilities - Grade 2 to perform preventive maintenance, installation, testing, operation, and repair of electrical equipment and high-voltage distribution systems. The role works with motors, switchboards, transformers, breakers, frequency drives, circuits, relays, meters, combustion turbines, generators, and other utility equipment. Duties also include specialized high-voltage switching, medium-voltage cable work, pole and lighting-system work, and maintenance of equipment in power houses, treatment plants, substations, manholes, vaults, and tunnels. The employee may direct other employees as needed, safeguard utility services and facilities, and operate a University vehicle. The position requires advanced shop mathematics and the ability to use complicated drawings, specifications, reference materials, and precision measuring instruments, or broad training in a recognized trade or craft. The required background is equivalent to a complete accredited, indentured apprenticeship or high school plus a two-year technical college education, along with a Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License and over one year up to and including three years of effective experience. The work schedule is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday off.

Requirements

Over one year up to and including three years of effective experience; the qualifications section specifies one to three years.
Equivalent to a complete accredited, indentured apprenticeship or high school plus a two-year technical college education.
Pennsylvania Commercial Driver’s License issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Ability to use advanced shop mathematics, complicated drawings, specifications, charts, tables, handbook formulas, and precision measuring instruments, or broad training in a recognized trade or craft.
Must be authorized to work in the United States; Penn State does not sponsor or take over sponsorship of a staff employment visa.

Responsibilities

Perform daily preventive-maintenance inspections of motors, switchboards, transformers, high-voltage breakers, frequency drives, circuits, relays, electric meters, combustion turbines, and other equipment.
Use specialized electrical testing tools and equipment to perform necessary work.
Perform specialized high-voltage line switching operations, coordinating with local utilities.
Maintain knowledge of high-voltage distribution systems, switching stations, and substations to provide emergency or rapid response.
Install, terminate, and test medium-voltage cables.
Install and wire equipment including generators, motors, electronic equipment, frequency drives, combustion turbines, and lighting systems; install conduit and intelligent high-voltage selector switches as needed.
Operate specialized equipment, including digger, reel, and bucket trucks, sky-vans, high-reach equipment, and power-assisted tools.
Install and remove electrical line poles.
Climb poles to install and maintain high-voltage distribution and lighting systems, including athletic-field lighting.
Install and maintain high-voltage distribution and lighting equipment in steam-generating plants, substations, electrical manholes, vaults, and tunnels; install high-voltage gear in substations.
Maintain and repair power-house and potable- and wastewater-treatment equipment, including frequency drives, switchboards, transformers, generators, and motors.
Tear down units, locate faults, determine necessary repairs, repair or replace defective parts or wiring, and reassemble equipment.
Disassemble motors, clean and repair them, replace defective parts or wiring, adjust or replace brushes, bearings, and commutators, and reassemble motors.
Detect unusual conditions or defective materials and report them to the supervisor.
Direct the work of other employees as needed.
Safeguard utility services and facilities while on duty and report unusual circumstances to the supervisor.
Operate a University vehicle as required.