Substation Electrician Apprentice- MD Substation - Multiple Locations

The reporting location for this position will be one of the following: Martinsburg, Williamsport, or Cumberland. The location assignment will be determined based on current residency. Strongly prefer candidates to live within 45-mins of one of the service locations. 

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with the Potomac Edison, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to the recruitment, training, and development of new and upcoming substation electricians in the electrical substation field. We aim to recruit a diverse workforce of dedicated employees who exemplify FirstEnergy 's core values and behaviors daily while promoting a safe and inclusive work environment.

The Substation Electrician Apprentice position supports the operations process in providing and maintaining service to new and existing customers. Employees in this apprentice position will learn the day-to-day operations and specifications of the distribution system and gain working knowledge of computer systems, tools, materials, and equipment used on the job.

Apprentices will be hired full-time after successfully completing information sessions, interviews and pre­ placement physical assessments, a drug screen and a background check. Successful candidates will participate in a combination of skills, on-the-job, and academic training located in Williamsport, MD and, based on demonstrated performance, will have the opportunity to progress in job class.

We are seeking local talent eager to build a rewarding career in the electric utility industry.

New hires must reside within 45-minutes from the service center locations and will be required to become members of UWUA Local 102.

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Under close supervision, assists employees of higher classification in construction, maintenance and repair of property, equipment, circuits and structures; under directive supervision, does such work requiring a minor degree of skill, including work on equipment or circuits de-energized or de-energized portions of them or energized at secondary voltages; under close supervision, with a higher classified employee, may work in close proximity of equipment and circuits energized at primary voltages; performs duties such as:

• Anticipating the requirements of employees of higher classification and supplying them with tools, materials, and equipment 
• Studying and familiarizing self with departmental orders, instructions, and procedures, wiring of electrical circuits, equipment diagrams, and principal functions of various substation equipment; studying and memorizing the Company’s symbol system used for identifying equipment, circuits, and substations
• Learning to climb steel structures
• Preforming the simpler operations in connection with constructing, maintaining, repairing buildings, structures, equipment, and tools 
• Digging, backfilling, tamping and grading trenches or excavations with hand tools; installing drains
• Drilling holes; tapping, cutting, bending, and threading conduit by hand or power machine; removing or applying insulation as directed 
• Assisting in checking voltage and specific gravity of storage batteries and visually checking regulators for normal operation 
• Assisting in operating filter equipment for filtering transformer and circuit breaker oil 
• Replacing lights and making minor repairs to lighting systems, performing ordinary assembly and disassembly work on equipment
• Tending furnaces; cleaning station lighting fixtures; maintaining good housekeeping in substations and yards
• Cleaning and preparing surfaces for painting; applying waterproofing to masonry
• Loading, unloading, moving and handling poles, wire, reels, steel, sand, stone, cement and other materials and equipment 
• Handling waste, dirt, and rubble; loading same on and off trucks
• Placing barricades, warning signals and signs and directing traffic around work in progress
• Cleaning place of work, tools, and equipment 
• Caring for tools, tackle, material, and equipment; properly storing them on truck or appropriate location; keeping working area in a neat and orderly condition; cleaning work locations on completion of job
• Driving trucks and other vehicles but not operating power winches, transporting men and materials to and from working locations safely and in accordance with the Company’s instructions and rules
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Strongly prefer candidates currently residing within a 45-minute radius of the Service Center. 
• Prior completion of the following certifications is preferred: 
  • Bucket Truck Rescue
  • Steel Pole Climbing
  • Steel Tower Climbing
  • Wood Pole Climbing
  • I&I Gloving
  • Pole Top Rescue
  • Energized Area Pole Setting
  • Hot Sticking
• Must possess a valid State of Maryland and/or West Virginia, Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Operator 's License and meet the Company 's driving requirements.
• Must possess the ability to acquire a valid DOT Medical Examiner 's Certificate.
• Must pass motor vehicle operator tests prescribed by the Company and must possess the ability to acquire a valid Class A, State of Maryland and/or West Virginia, , Commercial Drivers' License with all the necessary endorsements.
• Candidates will be asked to provide a copy of their driving record as part of the prescreening process, which will be subject to a throughout review to ensure compliance with our safety standards.
• Must have the ability to work safely and follow safety rules and regulations including those applicable to working on or near energized lines and equipment.
• Must perform work while properly applying rubber goods and other Personal Protective Equipment required to work safely on or near energized lines and equipment.
• Candidates must successfully pass a physical assessment. 
• Candidates must demonstrate the physical and mental ability to climb and work aloft safely with self­ confidence from poles and structures by successfully completing the required technical examination.
• Candidates must be physically able to lift and handle up to 90 pounds.
• Must have the ability to learn the layout, functions and operation of electrical equipment and circuit connections of the distribution systems in the area to which assigned.
• Must know the proper application of first aid, safety and resuscitation practices as prescribed by the Company.
• Must have the ability to perform heavy physical work in all weather conditions.
• Must be available to work irregular hours, including weekends and holidays.
• Must be available to work an appropriate amount of overtime and respond to callouts.
• Outdoor work experience preferred.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Core Values

FirstEnergy's core values encompass what matters most to us and guide the decisions we make and the actions we take. When our values of integrity, safety, diversity equity & inclusion, performance excellence and stewardship are at the center of everything we do, it positively impacts our decisions and performance and leads to success. 

There are five behaviors that flow through our values and bring them to life through day-to-day observable and measurable actions: Accountability, Collaboration, Courage, Customer Focus and Trust.

Applicants will be expected to exemplify these behaviors both in word and action during the course of the hiring process.

1. Information Session 

   Candidates that meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to an information session that will include a review of the values and behaviors expected as an employee.  Candidates will be asked to demonstrate these behaviors in both the physical assessment and interview.

2. Physical Assessment:

   Each candidate will be evaluated on the physical components required to do the job.  As the candidates are going through the physical assessment, they will be evaluated on demonstrated behaviors and given a rating by the field instructors and workforce development instructors. 

3. Interview:

   Each candidate successfully completing the physical assessment will be interviewed by a diverse panel.  FirstEnergy’s interview will further identify the candidate’s demonstrated behaviors during the interview.

 

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team