Apprentice Relay Technician

Apprentice Relay Technician

Work Location: Billings, MT

Pay range: $34.94 per hour per CBA ($36.08 Effective June 01, 2025)

Employment Status: Regular Full-time

External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com

Internal candidates apply through iConnect.

About this position:

The Apprentice Relay trains and works under the supervision of a Relay Technician to develop the abilities and functions to perform labor and will work towards learning about an interconnected electrical power system operation by constructing, installing, commissioning, troubleshooting, repairing, testing, and maintaining the power-system monitoring equipment. This includes Supervisory Control and data Acquisition (SCADA), remedial action schemes (RAS), and protective relay, control, and communication systems. During this apprenticeship training, successful candidates will learn and progressively perform the responsibilities of the Relay Technician.

We offer great benefits:

NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,500 amazing people and serve 775,300 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:

• 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
• Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)
• Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy, spouse, dependent insurance also available)
• Continued education reimbursement
• Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
• Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
• Paid parental leave
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid training opportunities
• Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job:

• All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct
• Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives
• Responsible for the safe daily operation, maintenance, and construction of electric relay work in our distribution and transmission substation facilities
• Perform those physical and mental requirements necessary to undertake a multi-step apprenticeship process designed to train the worker to safely and efficiently perform all aspects related to the Relay Technician
• Satisfactorily complete a multi-step apprenticeship program to progress to qualified Relay Technician status
• Communicate verbally and understand audible signals in emergencies/safety situations
• Work overtime outside of scheduled hours, participating in either call out availability or an on-call rotation schedule, in response to acute and/ or planned service needs
• Work together as a team member to safely and efficiently complete work activities
• You must agree to live within an area approved by the company that allows for adequate response to our customers in call out and emergency situations
• Individually lift and manipulate needed equipment weighing up to 50 pounds
• Travel up to 80% of the time. We have equipment all over the state (Travel consists of a mix of overnight and day trips. Apprentices may travel more than a Journeyman for training purposes)(This will include

Apprentice Duties

• The apprentice performs these duties under the supervision of a relay technician and/or direct supervisor

• Training in installing, maintaining, testing, and repairing substation protective relays, AC and DC control systems, microprocessor relaying communications, and associated high voltage substation equipment
• Learn to build, test, and install control and protective relay panels
• Learn to calibrate power-system monitoring equipment such as electro/mechanical relays
• Reads and properly interprets substation drawings such as single-line drawings, AC and DC schematics and panel wiring and layout drawings
• Needs an understanding of fiber optic circuits as well as termination and testing of fiber
• Perform sustained work at heights including ladder work
• Able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions with exposure to electrical hazards
• Drive to installation locations.
• Learn and practice the proper methods of substation switching and perform these functions safely.
• Work with a goal to achieve Relay Technician status (Contract doesn't refer to Journeyman status)

Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Driver's License
• First Aid/CPR Certification
• Knowledge of applicable codes and safety
• Commitment to safe working practices and knowledge of safety policies/procedures
• Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
• Adapt to technological changes as they are implemented
• In addition to the above is the desire and commitment to dedicate oneself to a 4-year apprenticeship including classwork and homework on one's own time

Requisition #4700 Billings

Posting Dates: April 23, 2025 through May 4, 2025

Department/Division: Distribution Operations

Employment Physical: Required

Drug Test: Required

Background Check: Required

Relocation Benefit: None

Telecommuting: None

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at job.inquiries@northwestern.com.