Senior Electrician

The Position

Under direction, leads, trains, oversees, and participates in a variety of semi-skilled and skilled work in the maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and installation of electrical systems and equipment used in the Agency's water production, treatment and distribution systems; oversees and performs predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance on assigned equipment and systems; provides training to lower level Electricians in advanced electrical practices; and performs related duties as required.

This is the advanced journey-level classification in the Electrician series responsible for performing the most complex work assigned to the series. Incumbents regularly work on tasks which are varied and complex, requiring considerable discretion and independent judgment. Positions in the classification rely on experience and judgment to perform assigned duties. Assignments are given with general guidelines and incumbents are responsible for establishing objectives, timelines, and methods to complete assignments. Work is typically reviewed upon completion for soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policy and requirements.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional supervision over and provides training to lower-level staff.

Examples of Duties

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

• Performs the most complex work including the maintenance, repair, and installation of electrical systems ranging from low voltage to high voltage (nominal volts DC to 16.5KV), including electrical circuits, transformers, switches, lighting fixtures, motors, generators, outlets, control panels, and cathodic protection systems; oversees and participates in day-to-day predictive maintenance duties.
• Trains employees in electrical maintenance, repair, and installation methods, procedures, and techniques; oversees and demonstrates the use, care, and operation of electrical maintenance and repairs equipment including power tools and test equipment.
• Plans, directs, and records periodic electrical testing, and recommends or initiates modification or replacement of equipment which fails to meet acceptable operating standards; conceptualizes, develops, and installs programmable automation controls for a variety of equipment; assembles and tests experimental motor control devices.
• Performs the most complex corrective maintenance and electrical circuit installation for additions or modifications; isolates power and ground wires; troubleshoots problems and makes necessary repairs; restores power and checks equipment for proper operation.
• Conceptualizes, develops, and installs programmable automation controls for a variety of equipment.
• Assembles and tests experimental motor control devices, switch panels, transformers, generator windings, solenoids, and other electrical equipment components.
• Records data regarding electrical equipment, including voltage and amps readings and date and type of work performed; updates data in online maintenance system.
• Reviews system blueprints, specifications, and performance data to determine configuration and purpose of system components including motors, pumps, fans, switches, ducts, or pipes; provides input and recommendations to the Engineering Services Section on electrical components; inspects system to verify system compliance with plans and specifications and detects malfunctions in system component parts.
• Designs, integrates, and upgrades new systems and/or integrates the design into an existing system; develops wiring diagrams and layout drawings for system or equipment modifications or expansion; installs and connects power supply wiring and conduit for existing and new equipment; connects cables and wires between machines and equipment.
• Estimates labor, materials, and equipment needed for assigned projects; monitors inventory levels of materials and equipment; orders, receives, and maintains inventory of materials and equipment as needed; maintains work, time, and material records; provides recommendations regarding needed parts and suppliers.
• In collaboration with the Engineering Services Section inspection group, inspects new facilities for electrical equipment, systems and components prior to commissioning; oversees the work of contractors; coordinates and inspects assigned work; attends planning and progress meetings.
• Consults with vendors, contractors, and other agency staff regarding new construction and equipment installations related to electrical or electronic systems.
• Operates and maintains a variety of hand tools, power tools, and other equipment in the performance of assigned duties.
• Responds to alarms, equipment failures, and emergencies, taking necessary actions to maintain a reliable water supply.
• Reads, understands, and ensures personal and staff compliance with the Agency's safety regulations; reports all accidents, violations, or infractions to supervisor.
• Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Must possess mobility to work in the field; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; possible entry into confined spaces and the use of confined entry equipment, to climb and descend ladders, to operate varied hand and power tools and construction equipment, and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various Agency sites; and vision to inspect and operate equipment. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, which may include working on live electrical wires. Finger dexterity is needed to operate and repair tools and equipment. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 25 pounds or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.

Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, confining workspace, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing divisional policies and procedures.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations. For more information, see SCV Water Employee Manual Policy No. 4 – Americans with Disabilities, or the following link: SCV Water Employee Manual.

According to California state law, all Agency employees are disaster service workers and are expected to participate in emergency response initiatives. This could include contributing to the emergency planning process, participating in disaster exercises and training, as well as potentially responding to support actual emergency events. For more information, please see Section 6.10 of SCV Water Employee Manual Policy No. 6 – Recruitment and Hiring, or by clicking this link: SCV Water Employee Manual.

Qualifications (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)

Education and/or Experience: Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a Senior Electrician. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess:

• A high school diploma or equivalent GED.
• Five (5) years increasingly responsible experience in the design, construction, installation, modification, maintenance and repair of complex electrical and electronic equipment and devices common to water utilities.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, or evidence of equivalent mobility, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of an Electrician Certification issued by the State of California Department of Industrial Relations to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of or ability to obtain within 18 months a valid Grade III Water Distribution Operator's certification issued by the California Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, to be maintained throughout employment.
• Possession of or ability to obtain within 18 months a valid Grade II Water Treatment Operator's certification issued by the California Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water, to be maintained throughout employment.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities (The following are a representative sample of the KSAs necessary to perform essential duties of the position.)

Knowledge / Skills of:

• Principles of providing functional direction and training.
• Operations, services, and activities of an electrical maintenance program.
• Advanced electrical and electronic technology principles and practices, electrical theory and design as applied to electrical circuits and wiring systems.
• Principles, methods, materials, and tools used in electrical repair and maintenance work, including high voltage electrical system maintenance and repair.
• Principles of electrical theory as applied to electrical circuits and wiring systems.
• Advanced methods and techniques of maintaining, installing, and repairing electrical systems and equipment, troubleshooting electrical equipment and components, and high voltage electrical system ranging from low voltage to high voltage (nominal volts DC to 16.5KV) maintenance and repair.
• Operational principles of water production, water distribution, and water treatment facilities.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations as well as industry standards and best practices