Picture of a High Voltage Electrician

High Voltage Electrician

WG-2810

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

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Reclamation
National Park Service

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

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Strengths by Level

Entry 5
Mid 6-7
Journey 8-9
Senior 10
  • Accountability
    Holds 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 Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Attention to Detail
    Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Customer Service
    Works 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 Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Decision Making
    Makes 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 Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Interpersonal Skills
    Treats others with courtesy, sensitivity, and respect. Considers and responds appropriately to the needs and feelings of different people in different situations.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Oral Communication
    Expresses 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 Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Physical Strength and Agility
    Ability to bend, lift, climb, stand, and walk for long periods of time; ability to perform moderately heavy laboring work.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Problem Solving
    Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Reasoning
    Identifies rules, principles, or relationships that explain facts, data, or other information; analyzes information and makes correct inferences or draws accurate conclusions.
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Stamina
    Exerts oneself physically over long periods of time without tiring (which may include performing repetitive tasks such as data entry or coding).
    Show Tool Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Teaching Others
    Helps 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 Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10
  • Technical Competence
    Uses 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 Tip
    Entry 5
    Mid 6-7
    Journey 8-9
    Senior 10

Common Pathways

Candidates who made this career change most commonly held these occupations...

11.8%

Electric Power Controller

Career Information Coming Soon
11.8%
11.8%

Utility Systems Repairing - Operating

See Position Details
0809 - Construction Control Technical 5.9%
2606 - Electronic Indrl Cntls Mechanic 5.9%
3359 - Instrument Mechanic 5.9%
2601 - Misc Elec Equip Instal And Maint 5.9%
2801 - Misc Elec Instl And Maint 5.9%
4701 - Misc Gen Maint And Oprtns Work 5.9%

Where We Are

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