Station Electrician C - A

American Electric Power • Bluefield, VA

23h • Onsite

About The Position

The Station Electrician performs all types of work involved in the construction, maintenance, rebuild, removal, operation, testing and inspection of energized or de-energized generation, transmission and distribution facilities. Respond to emergency call-outs on station trouble and coordinate prompt restoration of service to customers as required. This position is posted at multiple grade levels (C, B, and A) and offers a range of opportunities for advancement. The minimum qualifications outlined below apply to the Station Electrician C level, with increased educational, skill, experience and certification requirements for higher level Station Electrician B and A.

Requirements

• Must live within a 45-minute driving distance under normal driving conditions to the Bluefield, Virginia Transmission Service Center at 1188 Hockman Pike Bluefield, VA 24605.
• Associate degree in electrical/mechanical/industrial maintenance technology or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Equivalent education and experience is limited to military training and work experience of technical/technician nature (such as aviation and nuclear instrumentation technician); or recent experience (within last 6 months) as a Station Electrician or equivalent job title with another electric utility or contractor.
• No work experience required (for Station Electrician C).
• Must be available to work overtime, call-out overtime and shift work, as required.
• Travel requirements are expected > 50 % of the time.
• Distance in feet to climb and work on a ladder/structure: 50 ft and higher.
• Knowledge of print reading sufficient to interpret and apply information from drawings, instruction manuals, one-line diagrams, and associated documents.
• Must satisfactorily complete, in such time frames as may be established by the Company, all required training to advance to the next higher classification in the line of progression, or vacate the current classification.
• Must have the ability and desire to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the duties and/or responsibilities of the key job (Station Electrician A) in this family and be qualified through demonstration, examination and/or performance appraisal as determined by the Company.
• Ability to deal with customers and other employees in a courteous and professional manner.
• Ability to plan work and to properly instruct and brief others.
• Employee shall obtain the appropriate valid commercial driver's license prior to the end of the designated probationary period.
• Must meet all vehicle operation requirements as designated by federal and/or state law.
• Considerable travel and overtime may be required to complete work assignments.
• Must successfully complete Physical Abilities Test (PAT).
• Minimum of 24 months’ satisfactory work experience as a Station Electrician C or the equivalent (as determined by the Company through demonstration, examination and performance appraisal) (for Station Electrician B).
• Valid Class A CDL is required (for Station Electrician B).
• Shall have performed the duties of and have all the qualifications of a Station Electrician C and 24 months of on-the-job experience or the equivalent. Equivalent experience is determined at the time of the assessment and appropriate time step credit will be given. (for Station Electrician B).
• Shall qualify through demonstration, examination and/or performance appraisal as determined by the Company. (for Station Electrician B).
• Thorough knowledge of the stations in the territory assigned. (for Station Electrician B).
• Must possess and maintain a valid commercial driver’s license. (for Station Electrician B).
• Familiarity with the Company safety rules and practices and proficiency in the application of resuscitation and First Aid as presented in the Company’s Safety Manual. (for Station Electrician B).
• Minimum of 24 months satisfactory combined work experience as a Station Electrician B or Station Electrician B-Certified or the equivalent (as determined by the Company through demonstration, examination and performance appraisal). (for Station Electrician A).
• Valid Class A CDL is required (for Station Electrician A).

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge and proficiency in steel and aerial lift rescue.

Responsibilities

• Perform all types of work involved in the construction, maintenance, rebuild, removal, operation, testing and inspection of energized or de-energized generation, transmission and distribution facilities.
• Respond to emergency call-outs on station trouble and coordinate prompt restoration of service to customers as required.
• Work on energized equipment up to 260 volts.
• Assist in work on conductors and equipment energized at voltages above 750 volts with direct supervision or assistance of personnel in higher classification.
• Select proper prints and/or drawings for various work and have a basic understanding of each.
• Use voltmeters, ohmmeters, ammeters, insulation meggers and other test equipment associated with station work.
• Assist in disassembling and reassembling, inspecting, maintenance, and repairing of station transformers, circuit breakers, portable substations, rotating machinery, network protectors and transformers, air ducts and heat exchangers; install and maintain station batteries; replace nitrogen bottles and air filters.
• Assist in station work such as installing conduit, pipe, cable and wire; use hand lines to pass tools and materials; dig and backfill trenches; remove and spread stone; uncrate equipment and material; install and remove portable substation fences, barriers and safety signs; paint structures and equipment; climb station structures.
• Use various kinds of tapes, insulating materials, protective and insulating paints and varnishes, and understand proper application of each.
• Assist in making visual inspections such as check lights, heaters, circuit breaker counters, oil levels, and bus connections; read gauges such as voltmeters, ammeters, hydrometers, pressure and level gauges; apply start-run-stop tests on emergency generators, water and sump pumps and fire engine motors.
• Report on abnormal conditions.
• Replace lamps, switches, duplex outlets, dry cells; install and maintain signal and communication systems.
• Assist in various tests involving oil samples, connecting and operating portable and stationary oil handling equipment.
• Assist in electrical tests, TTR, Doble, core megger and resistance for transformer testing, etc.
• Assist in station switching including use of radio communication and/or direct instruction from higher classification, assist in checking equipment clearances and making de-energized tests, place grounds as directed.
• Maintain records and prepare and submit reports as required.
• Attend and participate in training and assist in the training of other employees as assigned.
• Use and operate various company vehicles, specialized equipment, hand and power tools.
• Operate company vehicles, cranes, aerial lifts and specialized equipment.
• Perform duties incidental to the operation of such equipment.
• Use hand and power tools; operate portable generators, blowers and pumps; inspect and store personal protective equipment.
• Knowledge and use of various knots used in station work.
• Perform similar or less skilled work as assigned.
• Assist employees of equal or higher classification; direct the work of employees assigned to assist.
• Become familiar with the Company's safety rules and practices and in the application of resuscitation and First Aid as presented in the Company's Safety Manual.
• Perform duties in accordance with the Company's safety rules and operating regulations and practices.
• Work on conductors and equipment energized at voltages above 750 volts with direct supervision or assistance of personnel in higher classification.
• Use live line tools as required for the work assigned.
• Operate crane and aerial lift equipment when in close proximity to energized lines or equipment; operate company vehicles and specialized equipment.
• Assemble, repair and maintain circuit breakers, transformers, reactive devices, network protectors and transformers, and station equipment such as lightning arresters and capacitor banks; replace bushings in the field; repair and replace associated equipment and subassemblies; make connection splices and cable terminations; install ground wires on de-energized primary leads and conductors, power cables, and related apparatus.
• Erect and drill switchboard panels and mount equipment; replace switchboard equipment; wire de-energized panels and controls; wire energized panels and controls in the presence of a qualified employee; install and wire outlets, control lighting, fixtures and switches; install conduit, pipe and tubing.
• Assemble and erect station steel structural members; assemble and replace switches and buses; ascend station structures by climbing or other approved means; paint structures and equipment.
• Make structural parts from sketch or verbal instructions; patch concrete and build forms; do incidental rough carpenter work and perform caulking.
• Perform switching operations as directed and accept clearances, make de-energized tests, and install protective grounds.
• Make inspections of stations and buildings; report irregularities and abnormal conditions; remove string, bird nests and other foreign objects from station equipment; check operating condition of equipment such as pumps, compressors, and fire extinguishers; complete inspection reports.
• Make connections for various electrical tests.
• Set up and operate circuit breaker stroke analyzer; set up, tear down and operate oil handling equipment and SF6 gas equipment; record and read instruments and gauges such as voltmeters, watt/reactive meters, ammeters, hydrometers, pressure and level gauges.
• Check, adjust, and set auxiliary controls such as auxiliary switches, pressure switches, alarm and indicating gauges.
• Assist in conducting departmental safety meetings and training of other employees.
• Inspect and maintain live line tools, ladders, and personal insulated safety equipment; use electric or gas welding equipment, hydraulic conduit benders, and compression tools.
• Maintain various types of fire-fighting equipment.
• Maintain tools and equipment in a clean and orderly condition.
• Install and maintain all types of station equipment, both energized and de-energized.
• Select proper prints and/or drawings and interpret specifications in order to proceed with each part of the work without supervision.
• Use live line tools provided for station work.
• Install and remove controls, instruments, meters, relays and control wiring for new and existing stations; lay out panels from drawings; wire energized panels.
• Understand and use a phase sequence meter when required.
• Assemble, adjust and maintain disconnects, air breaks, bypass, ground and interrupter switches.
• Lead in performance of station ground resistance tests.
• Perform inspections, maintenance, adjustment and testing on all types of station equipment including, but not limited to, circuit breakers and operating mechanisms, network protectors and transformers, mobiles, reactors, and regulators.
• Check and inspect stations and equipment; locate, clear, report and correct irregularities and abnormal conditions.
• Perform SF6 gas processing, oil de-gasification, vacuum pumping, dew point testing and other electrical tests.
• Check parallel circuits, both wye and Delta, using a phasing device or potential transformer voltmeter.
• Make transformer tap changes and understand the voltage and turns ratios involved.
• Select and install replacement bushings, arresters and insulators.
• Make operational tests on equipment; radios, carrier current, telemetering, pilot wire and control equipment; adjust as necessary or as directed.
• Maintain and operate tools, company vehicles, cranes, aerial lifts and specialized equipment.
• Perform switching and grounding on transmission, distribution and generation lines and stations as required.
• Know the hazards involved with reactive controlling devices and coupling capacitors.
• Perform all duties in accordance with the Company's safety rules and operating regulations, environmental compliance, and practices.

Benefits

• Standard base pay is: Station Electrician C - $31.33 /hour. Station Electrician B - $38.83 /hour. Station Electrician A - $58.62 /hour.
• In addition to competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree