ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION MECHANIC (3879) (REVISED 5/21/26)

Electric Distribution Mechanic

Annual salary for trainee positions: $130,604 to $167,916; and $136,972 to $176,101. For journey-level positions: $195,666 (flat-rated); $204,874 (flat-rated); and $215,335 (flat-rated).

Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions. Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to .

An entry-level Electric Distribution Mechanic works as a trainee under close supervision of journey-level workers. Trainees receive extensive classroom training as well as on the job training as a cable splicer and as a line mechanic. Electric Distribution Mechanic trainees assist in the construction, maintenance and repair of overhead electric power sub-transmission and distribution lines and equipment; constructs high-voltage distribution pole lines; makes construction changes to existing lines and equipment; repairs power lines and line equipment; repairs and reroutes services; sets poles; installs transformer racks; hangs and installs transformers and switches of various types and sizes; installs overhead street lights and guy wires; makes repairs to energized lines; performs limited line clearance tree trimming; installs watt-hour meters; uses appropriate live line tools to install and remove approved protective covering on energized distribution and sub-transmission circuits of 7.5kV and above; and climbs poles.

Electric Distribution Mechanic trainees assist in the construction, maintenance, and repair of underground electric power, transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution cable work. Performs work activities in connection with underground cable installation and removal; pulls cables and service lines through sub-structures, vaults, duct lines, up poles and walls, over roofs of buildings and to customers' service panels; performs rigging operations of cable pulling equipment; installs and removes transformers and related equipment in vaults and sub-structures; splices energized and de-energized low-voltage cables, splices high voltage de-energized cables; maintains gas and oil filled cable and equipment; installs watt hour meters; and climbs poles as related to underground work.

A journey-level Electric Distribution Mechanic performs skilled mechanical and electrical work in connection with the construction, maintenance, and repair of energized and/or de-energized overhead and underground electric transmission, subtransmission, distribution, communication, and utilitarian street light lines, cables, and equipment; and may work as a mentor over a group of skilled craft workers.

Requirement(s)/Minimum Qualification(s)

1. Completion of an apprenticeship program sanctioned by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) national organization in conjunction with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and possession of a valid journey-level line worker card issued by IBEW; or 2. A pole climbing proficiency certificate issued by an accredited lineman's college or by the Department of Water and Power, Power System Safety and Training, or completion of a recognized Advanced Training Pole Climbing program while in the United States military; and one of the following: a. Six months of full-time paid experience assisting or working on an overhead and/or underground Electrical Distribution or Transmission Construction, Maintenance, or Electric Trouble crew and assisting with and/or performing high-voltage line work in and on high-voltage power poles, transmission towers, and underground electric substructures. Six months experience must be specific to assisting with and/or performing work at voltages of 4.16-kV and above; or b. Six months of full-time experience performing electrical work on equipment and circuits in the maintenance or construction of electrical distribution systems while in the United States military; or c. Eighteen months of full-time paid experience performing line clearance tree trimming; or d. Eighteen months of full-time paid training and experience chipping around energized 4.8-kV and 34.5-kV electrical conduit systems; or 3. Certificate of completion of the Electrical Lineman Program from Northwest Lineman College; or 4. Certificate of completion of the Powerline Mechanic-Trainee Program from the Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Process notes: All Electric Distribution Mechanics are required to drive commercial vehicles.

Electric Distribution Mechanic (EDM) Journey-Level: California Residents and In-State Applicants: As a condition of employment, a valid Class A driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), along with a valid medical certificate approved by the DMV, is required at the time of appointment. Out-of-State Applicants: A valid commercial driver's license issued by a comparable state DMV, an official driving history record, and a valid medical certificate approved by the respective state DMV are required at the time of appointment. As a condition of employment, a valid Class A driver's license issued by the California DMV must be obtained within three months of appointment.

EDM in Training (Trainee): All applicants (California Residents, In-State, and Out-of-State): As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver's license issued by the California DMV (or comparable state issued driver's license) and an official driving history record are required at the time of appointment. Appointed trainees are given six months from the start of the temporary training program to obtain a valid Class A driver's license issued by the California DMV.

Disqualification: Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation (such as a DUI or DWI) within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.

All entry-level positions in this class are temporary training positions as defined in Civil Service Commission Rule 5.30. Trainees receive extensive classroom training as well as on-the-job training as a cable splicer and as a line mechanic. An Electric Distribution Mechanic must successfully complete an extensive on-the-job and classroom training program in order to receive an appointment to a regular Electric Distribution Mechanic position. It is anticipated that the training period will last up to 54 months.

Applicants filing under Requirement #1 must submit an Apprenticeship Certificate at the time of filing. The certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted the certificate. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.

Applicants filing under Requirement #1 must submit proof of having a journey-level line worker card, such as an IBEW official receipt indicating the trade classification, at the time of filing. A copy of this proof must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If it is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit proof at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.

Applicants filing under Requirement #1 may be considered for direct appointment to a regular (journey-level) Electric Distribution Mechanic position and may waive the multiple-choice test but must achieve a passing score on the performance test to be placed on the eligible list. All other applicants must achieve a passing score on the qualifying multiple-choice test to be scheduled for the performance test.

Applicants filing under Requirement #2 must submit a copy of their pole climbing proficiency certificate at the time of filing. A copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with submitting it. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.

Applicants filing under Requirement #3 or #4 must submit a copy of their certificate of completion at the time of filing. A copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with submitting it. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further