Electrical Engineer Trainee Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Job Description
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
The Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a highly motivated, team oriented, and technically competent Electrical Power Technician (EPT) for their state-of-the-art Wastewater Treatment Plant, a 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, continuous operation facility that treats 24 million gallons of wastewater each day from residences and businesses. This position specifically operates within the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) and the Water and Sewer Lift Stations. The industrial equipment in the plant and pumping stations include a wide variety of rotating, moving and heavy equipment including medium voltage (600V and 4160V) distribution centers, motor control centers, three-phase motors, control panels, alarms, sump pumps, variable speed motor controllers, pumps, generators, presses, conveyor belts, lighting system and underground cable.
Responsibilities
Major Job Duties:

• Performing predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance using diagnostic tools, historical data, blueprints, factory specifications, and the Computerized
• Maintenance Management System (CMMS);
• Performing maintenance, corrective repairs, and reconditioning of equipment and related systems;
• Analyzing system failures and operating conditions to determine root causes and identify potential breakdowns or maintenance needs;
• Evaluating problems and work assignments to determine project scope, establish priorities, identify resource needs, and plan follow-up activities;
• Leading maintenance and repair projects, including documenting work performed and maintaining project and maintenance records;
• Coordinating maintenance and repair activities with contractors, vendors, and other agencies;
• Assisting with training and knowledge transfer for maintenance staff; and
• Evaluating complex industrial electrical systems and equipment at the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) and remote lift stations to identify maintenance needs and develop plans for design, predictive, preventive, and corrective actions.

EPT II duties also include:

• Designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing complex industrial electrical equipment and systems in the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) and the Water and
• Sewer Lift Stations;
• Working in the field, at the input-output level, diagnosing and resolving complex electrical problems on a wide variety of rotating, moving and heavy equipment;
• Working with heavy equipment such as medium voltage (600V and 4160V) distribution centers, motor control centers, three-phase motors, control panels, alarms, sump pumps, variable speed motor controllers, pumps, generators, presses, conveyor belts, lighting system and underground cable; and
• Performing diagnostic work up to the Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and the Digital Control System (DCS).

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Trainee:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent.

EPT I:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent;
• 3 years of experience assisting with performing electrical preventive and corrective maintenance; and
• 1 year in an industrial setting with high voltage 480V to 4160V systems.

EPT II:

• High School Diploma/GED or equivalent;
• 5 years of experience assisting with performing electrical preventive and corrective maintenance;
• 3 years in an industrial setting with high voltage 480V to 4160V systems;
• National Electrician Code (NEC) Master's Electrician License; and
• Confined Space Entry certification.

Substitution(s): Additional qualifying experience may substitute for the education requirement. A year of directly-related technical school training beyond the high school level, completion of an applicable apprenticeship program or a college degree in Electrical Engineering or a directly-related field may be substituted for one year of the experience requirement.
Desirable Qualifications: Preference may be given to applicants with one or more of the following:

• Experience in an industrial electrical control environment which includes assisting with the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and calibration of electrical controls;
• Experience with, and/or knowledge of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Distributed Control Systems (DCS) programming; and/or
• Familiarity with fluid dynamics and hydraulics, OSHA mandates and other federal, state, and local codes relevant to operations.

Special Requirements
Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It will include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You will be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information.
Driver's License: Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid driver's license, and must provide or authorize Arlington County to obtain a copy of official driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon favorable review of the applicant's driving record. Alternatively, the applicant must have the ability and willingness to use alternative methods of transportation to perform assigned duties and responsibilities at locations other than the primary worksite.
Professional License/Certifications:
EPT Trainee/I:

• NEC Journeyman's License within 3 years of hire; and
• Confined Space Entry certification within 1 year of hire.

EPT II:

• NEC Master's Electrician License; and
• Confined Space Entry certification.

All levels will be required to complete technical in-house training shortly after hire.
Trainee Level: If an employee is hired at the trainee level, a training period will be established to last no longer than the equivalent of 3 years. At or before the end of the training period, the employee must meet experience, training, and proficiency requirements for the Level I position. Once the candidate qualifies, they will be appointed to the position.
Please complete each section of the application including the supplemental questions. Your responses to the supplemental questions are required because they provide us with specific information necessary to evaluate your qualifications for this position. These responses are considered part of the selection process. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please do not write "see resume" as a response to the questions.
Additional Information
Work Hours: 5:30am-2:00pm, Monday through Friday, some overtime will be required; must be available for holdover and/or callback in emergency situations.
The official title of this position is Electrical Power Technician I/II.
Working Conditions and Safety:

• This position requires the ability to pass a respirator fit test and work in confined spaces.
• This position requires the ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
• Work is performed in an industrial environment and involves exposure to hazardous chemicals, strong odors, drafts, noise, dust, grease, and dirt with extended periods of standing, walking, bending, crouching, lifting light to heavy objects and equipment, and working in confined spaces.
  • The worker performs activities inside and outdoors.
  • The worker is subject to hazards such as being near moving vehicles and mechanical parts, electrical currents, exposure to high heat, chemicals, and/or biohazardous waste.
  • The worker is subject to one more of the following conditions: Fumes, odors, dusts, mists, loud noises, gases or poor ventilation, oils, and other cutting fluids.
  • The worker spends long periods of time standing, crouching, stooping, bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying.
  • The worker is required to wear common protective gear or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, or hard hats.

Starting salary is commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected. The salary range listed at the top of this announcement is for entry level for EPT I Trainee, up to maximum at EPT II full performance level. The pay range listed above is effective July 1, 2026. Salary ranges (Annually) for each level are as follows:

• Electrical Power Technician I (Trainee): $67,454.40 - $102,960.00
• Electrical Power Technician I: $73,008.00 - $111,384.00
• Electrical Power Technician II: $78,603.20 - $120,057.60

This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan.
For more information on Arlington County's generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.
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