Apprentice Line Electrician

Position Description

The City of Tacoma is creating a new civil service list for Apprentice Line Electrician. Apprentice Line Electricians perform apprentice-level work assisting journey-level Line Electricians in the installation, construction, maintenance and repair of electrical overhead and underground distribution and transmission systems. Apprentices will be formally enrolled in the City of Tacoma's Line Electrician Apprenticeship program. This apprenticeship program is recognized by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, requiring a minimum of three and one-half years to complete. Continued enrollment and employment is subject to attending off-hour training without compensation and maintaining the progress standards set by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. This position requires lifting, pulling, pushing, kneeling, squatting, climbing, working from heights, climbing stairs and ladders and working in confined spaces. Employees in this position are exposed to electrical hazards.

Qualifications

Graduation from high school or equivalent
AND
Valid Drivers license
AND
Completion of high school-level algebra, basic knowledge of electricity (knowledge covering Ohm’s Law, AC/DC theory and series/parallel circuits)
AND
6 months of work experience in the electrical or construction trades OR completion of a formalized vocational training program in a related field

Work experience is defined as the use of basic tools (hammer, wrench, various equipment) Individuals may have experience in construction trades (Examples: plumbing, iron work, carpentry, etc.).

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Valid WA State Driver’s License at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter
• Obtain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) permit within 6 months of hire date
• Obtain a valid Washington Commercial Driver's License (Class A) by completion of probationary period with maintenance thereafter
• Traffic Control Flagging required prior to completion of the probationary period with maintenance thereafter
• First Aid Card with CPR certification required prior to completion of the probationary period with maintenance thereafter
• Forklift training and certificates will be required prior to completion of the probationary period with maintenance thereafter
• Obtain Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) clearance prior to completion of probation and maintenance thereafter

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

The City of Tacoma has a technical requirement that employees filling classified roles be residents of the City at the time of their original appointment to a classified job. However, there is a process to request a waiver of this requirement from the Civil Service Board if we identify an outstanding candidate who is a nonresident. Not residing within the City limits of Tacoma is not an automatic disqualifier and everyone is encouraged to apply.
Apply
Reference checks will be conducted on final candidates.
The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend an hour or more entering the required information. In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.
Interested individuals should apply online. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to the written examination which will be an online assessment given late February. In order to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration, applicants must pass all portions of the written examination. Applicants will be placed on the eligible list based on their written examination score. Prior to being eligible for interview, candidates must pass a physical ability test designed to evaluate whether the candidate meets the physical requirements for this position. Applicants who do not appear for their scheduled physical ability test or who do not pass the test will be removed from the eligible list.
Part of the interview process will include a practical test. Appointment is subject to passing a background check and will include a pre-employment medical examination and drug screen. New employees need to obtain a valid Washington State driver's license within 30 days of appointment with maintenance thereafter and a valid Class A commercial driver's license by the ninth month of the hire date with maintenance thereafter. Traffic Control Flagging, CPR, first-aid and forklift training certificate will be required prior to completion of the probationary period with maintenance thereafter. Candidates must be able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) clearance prior to completion of probation and maintenance thereafter. Candidates must be able to pass background screening for applicable security access and maintain security clearance. In addition, new employees must successfully complete a 12 month probationary period to obtain permanent status in this classification. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between the City of Tacoma and IBEW Local 483.

• http://www.alexanderpublications.com/
• http://www.electricityforum.com/basic-electricity.html
• http://www.the12volt.com/ohm/ohmslaw.asp#pie
• http://www.angelfire.com/pa/baconbacon/page2.html
• http://www.school-for-champions.com/science/electricity_ohms_law.htm
• http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/electric/ohmlaw.html
• http://www.electronics-tutorials.com/basics/ohms-law.htm
• http://www.thelearningpit.com/
• http://www.opamp-electronics.com/tutorials/ac_theory.htm
• http://www.play-hookey.com/ac_theory/
• http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/vol_1/index.html
• http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Classroom/Mathematics/Middle-High_School_Math/Trigonometry.html
• http://www.syvum.com/math/trigonometry.html

• Electricity (available from Alexander Publications), excellent reference guide!
• Ugly's Quick Electrical Reference Guide (available at the Home Depot)
• Delmars Standard Textbook on Electricity (available from delmarlearning.com)
• Basic Electricity (authors, Van Valkenburgh, Nooger & Neville, INC.)
• Basic Electricity (Schaum's, published by McGraw Hill)
• Basic Electricity (U.S Navy)
• Electricity Demystified (Gibilisco, published by McGraw Hill)
• An Introduction to Electric Power Distribution (Wayne Beaty, available from Alexander Publications)
• Painless Algebra (Lynette Long, published by Barron's)
• Algebra Success In 20 Minutes A Day (Learning Express)
• Algebra Demystified (Gibilisco, published by McGraw Hill)
• Algebrahelp.com
• Trigonometry Demystified (Gibilisco, published by McGraw Hill)
• Trigonometry for dummies (Sterling)
• Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Safety Standards for Electrical workers
• Chapter 296-45 WAC