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Senior Substation Electrician

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Senior Substation Electrician

Salary

$37.92 - $58.08 Hourly

Location

Rochester MN 55906, MN

Job Type

Regular FT

Job Number

20250073

Department

Rochester Public Utilities

Division

RPU Power Delivery

Opening Date

09/11/2025

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The City of Rochester invites applications for:

Senior Substation Electrician

www.rpu.org

RPU, a division of the City of Rochester, MN, is the largest municipal utility in the State of Minnesota. RPU serves over 57,000 electric customers and 42,000 water customers in a 60 square mile service area and has revenues nearing $161 million annually.

Vision- "We Will Set the Standard for Service"

Our vision is based on six core values which are Safety, Integrity, Service, Stewardship, Accountability, and Skill.

Nature of Work

This Senior Substation Electrician position is responsible for performing electrical construction, maintenance, and repair work on electrical utility substation switching devices; transformers; station power equipment; battery systems; and general wiring. Duties include, but are not limited to: performing field operation of substation switching devices and assisting in the installation of protective relaying & control systems and substation metering. Additionally, this position may provide electrical services for other RPU facilities or customer facilities as required.

Starting Wage

2025 starting wage is $49.36/hour, with advancement to $58.08/hour, after two (2) years.

To be considered with the first round of application review, please submit your application before September 29, 2025.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.

*Construct, troubleshoot, repair all electrical components and systems of electric utility substations, including:

+ Switchgear and bus work

+ Circuit breakers (SF6, vacuum, and air insulated; 161 kV, 13.8 kV insulation)

+ Transducers, monitors, and alarm systems

+ Power and Instrumentation Transformers

+ Battery systems

+ Lighting and general wiring

+ Protective relaying and controls

+ Substation metering

+ Communication devices

+ Oil handling

+ SF6 gas handling

* Perform scheduled inspection and maintenance of substations and all associated equipment.

+ Conduct scheduled inspections and maintenance of substations and related equipment.

+ Assess operational conditions and report issues requiring maintenance or repair to the Supervisor of Technical Services.

+ Perform assigned maintenance tasks, complete work orders, and document work activities.

+ Maintain accurate and detailed written or electronic records of maintenance activities, equipment modifications, and wiring changes.

+ Recommend improvements to operating and maintenance procedures to ensure reliability and security of substation equipment.

* Perform field operation of substation equipment.

+ Develop, review, and verify switching procedures for the safe isolation of equipment.

+ Perform switching duties as directed by the System Operations department or other authorized personnel.

* Perform field operation of substation equipment.

+ Write and proofread switching procedures for the safe isolation of equipment.

+ Perform switching duties as directed by System Operations or others.

*Perform or assist other electrical workers in testing, electrical repair, or replacement of panelboards, switchboards, motors, circuit breakers, transformers, grounding devices, support structures, and power switching equipment.

+ Support general electrical work for RPU Water and Facilities.

+ Assist Lead Plant Electrician and perform such duties with RPU Power Resources.

Other Duties

+ Test, troubleshoot, and repair distribution transformers.

+ Install, troubleshoot, and remove load management control equipment as required.

+ Respond to after-hours callouts for emergencies or system issues.

+ Inspect, maintain, and care for assigned vehicles, tools, and equipment.

+ Prepare material requisitions and manage inventory of issued and retired equipment.

+ Assist Master of Record (MoR) with on-the-job training of apprentices or other electrical workers. Provide written documentation as required.

+ Perform other duties as assigned.

* ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

High school diploma or equivalent general education degree (GED) and completion of an approved Apprentice Electrician program and Five (5) years of experience as an electrician, with at least two (2) years' experience working with 13.8 kV - 161 kV high voltage equipment in electric utility or industrial substations performing duties that include installing and maintaining power switching devices, power transformers, circuit breakers, protective relays, control systems and metering devices.

OR

*An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered at the discretion of the hiring manager.

*Suitable experience includes a combination of electrical theory; electric and water utility equipment and practices; electric utility safety practices; commercial or industrial electrical construction and maintenance; the NESC, the NEC, and RPU Electric Service Rules. Experience must be of electric utility work or directly comparable industry work.

Licenses and Certifications

State of Minnesota Journey or Master Electrician License

Valid Minnesota driver's license

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Two (2) years post high school curriculum in the electrical construction and maintenance field or equivalent.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid Minnesota commercial driver's license

Special Training and Experience

Courses in relay and control theory and applications relating to electric utility facilities; courses in electrical substation equipment maintenance and operation; electric revenue metering; and high voltage electrical safety.

Experience with interpreting electrical schemes, analyzing controls, troubleshooting electrical equipment, and using computerized test equipment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)

Employees in this position are required to use respiratory equipment and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.

THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY RPU'S AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT

In order to provide timely services, RPU has designated specific positions which must comply with an area residency requirement, based on job-related necessity where employees in such positions must reside within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location.

New Hires

Individuals hired for designated positions with RPU covered by an area residency requirement who do not meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months, from their date of hire, in order to meet the thirty (30) driving mile requirement.

Current Employees

RPU employees in designated positions covered by the area residency requirement and who reside at a location that allows them to report to work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified, prior to March 9, 2012, shall be deemed to comply with RPU's area residency requirement provided that they remain at their current address. If a current RPU employee in a designated position covered by the area residency requirement relocates, their new address/residence must be located within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location and notice must be given to their immediate supervisor prior to relocating to ensure compliance with the area residency requirement.

Promotional Opportunities

Promotions to designated RPU positions covered by an area residency requirement shall be withheld from employees whose address/residence is located more than thirty (30) driving miles from the normally scheduled work reporting location of their new position, with the exception of employees who are willing to relocate within 12 months from date of promotion in order to comply with the thirty (30) driving mile area residence requirement; OR employees who immediately prior to their promotion were in a designated position and resided at a location that allowed them to report to work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified.

Noncompliance with Residency Requirements

In the event that an employee fails to comply with the residency requirement, the employee will be considered to no longer meet the minimum requirements of the position. In such instance, the City will take formal action, up to and including termination. An employee may be granted an extension if there is credible basis, as determined by the employer, for justification as to why the employee has failed to comply. Said basis shall consist of circumstances not caused or controlled by the employee.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: practices, methods, tools and materials used in the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment at an industrial facility; the operational characteristics of analog and digital instrumentation, discrete control devices, motor control centers, and other equipment commonly used in industrial processes and control systems; practices, methods, tools and materials used in the maintenance and repair of electrical equipment at an industrial facility; and occupational hazards and safety practices.

Skill in: communicating effectively, organizing one's own work while coordinating work with others; the use and care of tools, equipment, and materials used in the installation and maintenance of electrical equipment; using computers, mobile electronic devices and electronic test equipment.

Ability to: ensure that the work performed is of the highest possible quality, build and maintain good working relationships with customers, coworkers, supervisors and staff; work and think effectively under stressful conditions; exercise good judgment; clearly communicate complex ideas and instructions, verbally and in writing; diagnose and repair defects in electrical equipment; read and interpret electrical drawings, technical manuals, and the National Electric Code; perform manual labor associated with equipment repair; follow oral and written instructions (English language); maintain equipment maintenance records; operate power conduit benders, power wiring tools, and testing devices; drive and operate a truck or motor vehicle, forklift, aerial lifts; operate small power excavation equipment.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.

This position requires a majority of the time spent standing and walking on uneven ground or rough terrain with some time spent lifting objects or walking up or down steps.

Weights of objects lifted / carried can reach one hundred (100) pounds. Frequently daily work can consist of moderate physical work with periods of heavy physical work.

Climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, and crouching are regularly required. Needs to be able to climb ladders to heights of 175 feet and scaffolding to heights of 15 feet. Working in a bucket truck or similar aerial lift equipment does occur occasionally.

Audio, visual, and verbal functions are vital aspects to performing this position, as well as the ability to operate motorized machines, test equipment, and various vehicles.

The majority of the workday is spent alternately outdoors with exposure to dust, noise, and heat, as well as cold in substations, electrical shops, and the office.

Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, ability to distinguish colors, smell, hearing and touch.

Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)

Noise (needing to shout in order to be heard)

Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body)

Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals

Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)

Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)

Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders or aerial lifts)

Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, excavation equipment, trucks, cranes)

Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, arc resistant clothing etc.)

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT SUMMARY (https://www.rochestermn.gov/home/showdocument?id=42460&t=638708904645058446)

01

The following supplemental information may be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Be certain that the choices you make correspond to the information you have provided in your application and resume. By completing this supplemental questionnaire you are attesting that the information you have provided is true and accurate. Any information provided may be reviewed by the hiring manager. Any misstatements or falsification of information will eliminate you from consideration or may result in dismissal. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

+ Yes

+ No

02

What is your preferred name?

03

Do you have a valid driver's license?

+ Yes

+ No

04

Which of the following best describes your level of education in the electrical field?

+ High school diploma or equivalent

+ Less than 2 years post-secondary training

+ Completion of a 2 year trade school program

+ Completion of a 4 year apprenticeship program

+ Completion of both a 2 year trade school and 4 year apprenticeship program

+ None of the above

05

Other than your High School diploma/GED, which of the following best describes the field of study for your training program or degree?

+ Electrical engineering

+ Electronics technology

+ Electrician

+ A field of study closely related to the above

+ My degree is in an area NOT RELATED to any of the above

+ N/A - I do not have a degree

06

Which of the following best describes your highest level of licensure for this position?

+ Master Electrician

+ Journeyman Electrician

+ Maintenance Electrician

+ Journeyman Electric Utility Line Worker

+ Power Limited Technician

+ N/A - None of the above

07

Which of the following best describes your years of full-time equivalent employment experience as an Electrician

+ No experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ More than 6 months, but less than 1 year

+ More than 1 year, but less than 2

+ More than 2 years, but less than 3

+ More than 3 years, but less than 4

+ More than 4 years, but less than 5

+ More than 5 years, but less than 7

+ More than 7 years, but less than 10

+ 10 or more years

08

Tell us how your professional, educational, and lived experiences would help you be successful in this role.

09

Which of the following most closely reflects your experience working with 13.8 kV - 161 kV high voltage equipment in an electric utility or industrial substation?

+ No Experience

+ Less than 1 year

+ More than 1 year, but less than 2 years

+ More than 2 years, but less than 4 years

+ More than 4 years, but less than 5 years

+ More than 5 years

10

Did your employment experience as an Electrician include working with any of the following? (Select all that apply)

+ 600 Volt class electrical switchboards, circuit breakers

+ 5,000 Volt class electrical equipment (switchgear, circuit breakers, power cable, transformers)

+ 15,000 Volt class electrical equipment (switchgear, circuit breakers, power cable, transformers)

+ Protective relays

+ Digital or Analog Control systems

+ Using electrical test equipment (power quality recorder, hipot, megger, digital multimeter)

+ Using computerized electrical test equipment (relay test set, CT tester, circuit breaker timer, power factor test set)

+ Reading and interpreting electrical and control schematics

+ Reading and interpreting one-line diagrams

+ Control logic and programmable logic controller systems

+ Motor starters and motor variable frequency drives

+ N/A - None of the above

11

Did your electrical experience include specialized training in any of the following areas? (Select all that apply)

+ OSHA General Safety Courses

+ Lock-Out Tag-Out procedures

+ Electrical substation equipment maintenance and operation

+ Relay and control theory and applications relating to electric utility facilities

+ High voltage electrical safety

+ Interpreting electrical control schemes or analyzing controls

+ Troubleshooting electrical equipment

+ Using computerized electrical test equipment

+ None of the above

12

Which of the following best describes your computer experience/ability:

+ No experience

+ Limited - I am somewhat familiar with computers

+ Moderate - I use a computer or smart phone occasionally at home and/or at work

+ Extensive – I use various computer programs, tablets, and smart phones as a significant portion of my job

13

Please indicate the current versions of software that you are PROFICIENT in using: (select all that apply)

+ Microsoft Office Word

+ Microsoft Office Excel

+ Internet Explorer or similar browser

+ Microsoft Outlook

+ Microsoft Access or other similar database software

+ AutoCAD or similar drawing software

+ Job material management or estimating software

+ Procore or PlanGrid or similar construction document management software

+ None of the above

14

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: City policy requires that finalists are required to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to: verification of employment and educational records, identification verification, driver's license record and a criminal history. Please note that a criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for employment with the City of Rochester. If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation?

+ Yes

+ No

Required Question

Employer

City of Rochester

Address

201 4th Street SE Rochester, Minnesota, 55904

Phone

(507) 328-2555

Website

https://www.rochestermn.gov/employment

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