
High Voltage Electrician
Position Overview
Public lands are used for many purposes, including the generation and distribution of power. High Voltage Electricians perform the highly skilled and important work of installing, testing, repairing, and maintaining the equipment and distribution systems that make this possible.
This position is represented at the following bureaus
Candidate Description
The ideal candidate can apply knowledge of electrical principles, safely use tools, and troubleshoot and solve problems. Manual dexterity and the ability to communicate and collaborate with others are essential.
Work Environment
Work involves physically strenuous lifting and carrying and is performed both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. Some work is performed in enclosed spaces or at heights, and there can be exposure to dust, chemicals, temperature extremes, and potential injury from shocks or other electrical hazards. Depending on the position, work may be performed in switch yards, power plants, or in small control room facilities.
Career Level Requirements
Responsibilities by Level
Entry:
- Assisting others in laying-out, assembling and installing wiring systems
- Bending and installing conduit and installing fixtures
- Performing routine subtasks required to maintain transformers, voltage regulators, and circuit breakers
- Loading and unloading supplies and materials
Mid:
- Repairing power cables, transformers, insulators, switches, and panels
- Installing and connecting transformers
- Installing underground cable, conduit, and ductwork
- Erecting and replacing poles
- Using and maintaining hand and power tools
- Operating aerial trucks and associated equipment
Journey:
- Installing, modifying, and replacing generation and distribution equipment
- Cleaning, adjusting and repairing electrical equipment
- Troubleshooting distribution circuits and generating equipment
- Making emergency cutouts and substitutions of power lines and equipment
- Visually checking the work of contractors for compliance with contract specifications on new construction
- Troubleshooting overhead and underground cable systems to locate shorts, electrolysis damage, or cable breaks
- Locating and marking electrical underground utilities prior to excavation
- Directing the installation of poles and replacement of cross arms
- Checking condition of transformers, switches, capacitor equipment, and cables
- Maintaining, repairing, and replacing traffic signals and controllers
Senior:
- Leading a crew of linemen
- Developing or adjusting deadlines, priorities and work plans
- Observing and demonstrating proper work methods
- Answering questions and providing guidance to workers
- Ensuring safety rules are followed
- Monitoring performance and reporting work progress and problems
- Inspecting and approving completed work
Strengths by Level
-
AccountabilityHolds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results. Determines objectives, sets priorities, and delegates work. Accepts responsibility for mistakes. Complies with established control systems and rules.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Attention to DetailIs thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Customer ServiceWorks with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Decision MakingMakes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions; perceives the impact and implications of decisions; commits to action, even in uncertain situations, to accomplish organizational goals; causes change.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Interpersonal SkillsTreats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Oral CommunicationExpresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Physical Strength and AgilityAbility to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Problem SolvingIdentifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
ReasoningIdentifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
StaminaExerts oneself physically over long periods of time without tiring (which may include performing repetitive tasks such as data entry or coding).Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Teaching OthersHelps others learn through formal or informal methods; identifies training needs; provides constructive feedback; coaches others on how to perform tasks; acts as a mentor.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
-
Technical CompetenceUses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.Show Tool TipEntry 5Mid 6-7Journey 8-9Senior 10
Common Pathways
Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...
Electric Power Controller

Laboring

Utility Systems Repairing - Operating
