What are the responsibilities and job description for the Substation Electrician Apprentice position at Colorado Springs Utilities?
Substation Electrician Apprentice
Who we are…
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. That’s why we invest in our employees through a comprehensive benefit and wellness plan, generous vacation and sick time, tuition assistance, training and development opportunities, and a pension (PERA) program. Come be a part of a team making a difference in the lives of our customers in a sought-after community.
Colorado Springs Utilities is looking for an individual who has the desire and self-motivation to join our team as a Substation Electrician Apprentice. This challenging and rewarding career is responsible for the construction, operation, Troubleshooting, and maintenance of high voltage substation equipment.
As a Substation Electrician Apprentice, you will...
- Gain working knowledge of substation equipment, apparatus, and wiring as well as install, maintain, test, adjust, troubleshoot and repair substation equipment which includes, but is not limited to transformers, load tap changers, circuit breakers, circuit switchers, motor-operated and manual switches, bus work, wiring, battery banks and chargers, and substation structures.
- You will learn to operate substation equipment, including switching and grounding and perform testing on substation apparatus such as power factor, transformer turns ratio, megger, ductor, battery load testing, oil sampling, and other analytical tests as assigned; many test instruments used are computer-based and results are stored using a variety of programs.
- You will work on a crew, be mentored, trained, and expected to learn and perform the skills required for this job, during each step of the five-year apprenticeship program. training (OJT).
Apprentice Pay Schedule…
Starting pay as an Apprentice is $35.15/hr. Apprentices can expect a step pay increase once a year, as milestones are accomplished. Once complete, a Journey Substation Technician is currently paid $63.90/hr.
Apprentice pay schedule:
Step 1: $35.15/hour
Step 2: $44.73/hour
Step 3: $54.32/hour
Step 4: $57.71/hour
Step 5: $60.71/hour
Journey Level - $63.90/hour
Qualifications…
Highly qualified applicants will demonstrate drive, motivation, and a sincere willingness to be mentored and trained throughout the apprentice program. The ideal candidate will know basic electrical theory and practice, industrial electronics, substation electrical systems, and mechanical devices. Additionally, we seek the following:
- A valid Driver's License is required
- A CDL permit shall be attained within the first six months of employment
- A Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with Air Brake and Tanker Endorsement shall be obtained within the first year of employment (company sponsored)
- 2 or more years of electrical craft background with related education and training to include degrees, certifications, apprenticeships, and programs is preferred
Additional Expectations…
- As an Apprentice, you will be part of a formal Department of Labor (DOL) certified training program. Therefore, you are not eligible to apply to other positions at Colorado Springs Utilities while you are an apprentice.
- You will be required to track On the Job Training (OJT) hours and Task Evaluations sign-offs (TPE’s)
- You will be expected to follow any regulatory compliance program we are mandated to follow by the Federal Government
- You will be responsible for tools, test equipment, and vehicles
- You must be available to work overtime when needed and be subject to after-hours callouts
- You will be expected to follow all safety rules and company standards, making safety a priority in your daily work
- You may work in confined spaces, in elevated work areas, and work with bucket trucks, man lifts, and boom trucks
Our Commitment to Our Employees…
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We do not just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.
- Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
- Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
- Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
- Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
- Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
- Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
- Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire
- Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month. Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
- Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
- Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
- Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
- Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans
- Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
- Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
- Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
- Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement
- Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
