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Substation Apprentice information

What is a substation apprentice?

Substation apprentices are entry-level workers who learn to install, maintain, and repair electrical substations under the supervision of experienced technicians or journeymen. They participate in a structured apprenticeship program that combines on-the-job training with classroom instruction to develop the technical skills and safety knowledge required for the role. Substation apprentices work with high-voltage equipment, perform routine inspections, assist with upgrades, and follow strict safety protocols. Over time, they gain the experience needed to become fully qualified substation technicians or electricians.

What does a substation apprentice do?

As a substation apprentice, you work at an electrical substation while training under the direct supervision of a journey-level substation technician. Your duties typically involve the installation and maintenance of electrical wiring and substation equipment. During an apprentice program, you also learn other aspects of substation construction, such as installing fencing and testing circuit breakers, switches, and metering equipment. Depending on the details of the apprenticeship, your responsibilities include attending classes during or after regular working hours or responding to emergency calls or outage reports with your training technician.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a substation apprentice?

To thrive as a Substation Apprentice, you need a basic understanding of electrical theory, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or equivalent, often supplemented by vocational training. Familiarity with electrical testing equipment, hand and power tools, and adherence to OSHA safety standards are typically required. Strong attention to detail, teamwork, and a willingness to learn make someone stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure safety, efficiency, and reliability when working with high-voltage electrical systems.

What are some common challenges faced by substation apprentices during their training period?

Substation Apprentices often encounter challenges such as adapting to rigorous safety protocols, understanding complex electrical systems, and working in various weather conditions. The role demands strong attention to detail and the ability to learn quickly from experienced technicians and supervisors. Additionally, apprentices must balance hands-on fieldwork with classroom instruction, which can be demanding but provides a solid foundation for career growth in the electrical utility industry.

What is the difference between Substation Apprentice vs Substation Technician?

AspectSubstation ApprenticeSubstation Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, technical training, on-the-job trainingHigh school diploma, technical certifications, experience in electrical systems
Work EnvironmentTraining sites, construction sites, utility facilitiesOperational substations, maintenance sites, repair environments
Employer & Industry UsageUtility companies, electrical contractorsUtility companies, electrical service providers

Substation Apprentices are in training to learn electrical systems and substation operations, often working under supervision. Substation Technicians are experienced workers responsible for maintaining, repairing, and operating substations. The apprenticeship prepares individuals for the technician role, which requires more hands-on experience and certifications.

More about Substation Apprentice jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Substation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Substation jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Substation Apprentice jobs in California?

For Substation Apprentice jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Substation Apprentice jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Substation Apprentice jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Substation Apprentice jobs?

Cities in California with the most Substation Apprentice job openings:

Substation Apprentice jobs near you
Infographic showing various Substation Apprentice job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Hybrid job distribution.

Senior Relay Technician - Utility & High-Voltage Protection - Union

Asplundh Electrical Testing, LLC

Stratford, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Description
About the Role
At Asplundh Electrical Testing, safety is not a priority-it is our foundation. The Senior Relay Technician plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, reliable operation of medium- and high-voltage utility substations through advanced protective relay testing, commissioning, and maintenance activities.
This position is ideal for professionals with a utility background who have hands-on experience testing and commissioning transmission and distribution protection systems. You will serve as a technical lead in the field, guide crews through complex outage work, and reinforce Asplundh's reputation for safety, precision, and service excellence.
We are experiencing strong growth and are immediately hiring Senior Relay Technicians with deep expertise in protection and control, relay schemes, and substation energization. If you enjoy solving complex protection challenges, leading safe work execution, and influencing system reliability at scale, we'd like to speak with you.
As a NETA-accredited, independent electrical testing and engineering organization, Asplundh Electrical Testing sets the benchmark for technical excellence and unwavering safety across the utility, renewable energy, data center, and industrial sectors.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
What You'll Do
  • Lead job briefings and safety tailboards, reinforcing a "Safety First, Always" field culture
  • Perform protective relay testing, calibration, troubleshooting, and commissioning on medium- and high-voltage systems
  • Test and validate transmission and distribution protection schemes, including:
    • Distance, differential, overcurrent, breaker failure, and bus protection
  • Verify control and protection circuits for:
    • Power transformers
    • Medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers
    • Feeder relays
    • Capacitor banks and reactors
  • Support outage planning, switching coordination, energization, and restoration activities
  • Perform event analysis, relay target review, and disturbance investigations
  • Lead and mentor onsite technicians; coordinate work execution with project managers, system operators, and utility customers
  • Create and maintain accurate test reports, as-left settings, and field documentation
  • Participate in job walks, project estimating, and customer technical discussions
  • Serve as a technical resource and trainer for developing relay technicians

Travel Requirements:
Work is performed at customer sites throughout the assigned region. Regular regional travel is required, with opportunities for extended assignments outside the region as needed.
• Company vehicle provided for regional work-related travel.
What You Bring
  • 5+ years of hands-on experience in protective relaying for utility substations
  • Demonstrated experience testing medium- to high-voltage (5kV-500kV) protection systems
  • Strong working knowledge of microprocessor-based relays
  • Experience with modern relay test platforms
  • Solid understanding of utility safety rules, energized work practices, and lockout/tagout procedures
  • Ability to interpret:
    • Protection diagrams
    • AC/DC schematics
    • Wiring and logic drawings
  • Valid driver's license; ability to work outdoors, travel, and lift up to 70 lbs

Education & Credentials
  • NETA Level III or IV Certification preferred for Senior roles
    (Candidates at other NETA levels are encouraged to apply for opportunities across the organization)
  • Experience with:
    • Circuit breakers
    • Power transformers
    • Switchgear
    • RTUs and substation communications
  • Technical degree, apprenticeship, or military electrical training
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30
  • Valid driver's license with a clean driving history

What We Offer
At Asplundh Electrical Testing, we invest in the well-being of our people. Eligible employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package designed to support their health, financial security, and work-life balance, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage starting on day one
  • Retirement plan to help you secure your future
  • Company-provided life insurance for added peace of mind
  • Supplemental life insurance options, including spouse and child coverage
  • A variety of voluntary Aflac supplemental insurance programs
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Pre-paid legal plan
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support personal and professional well-being
  • Paid time off to recharge and refresh
  • Paid holidays
  • Access to employee discount programs and helpful resources

*Benefits listed above are available to eligible employees. Eligibility requirements and plan provisions apply
Please note: For roles that fall within union-represented territories, certain benefits and employment terms may differ from what's listed here. In those cases, the applicable local union agreement will guide the specific benefits and provisions. We're committed to transparency and will walk you through what applies to your location during the hiring process.
Who We Are
Asplundh Electrical Testing (AET) has been a leading provider of independent electrical testing services since 1981. Headquartered in Foxboro, MA, with regional offices across the country, AET specializes in substation commissioning, acceptance testing, and maintenance for clients in electrical transmission, distribution, and generation. As a NETA-certified company and a member of Asplundh Engineering Services-a subsidiary of Asplundh Infrastructure Group-AET is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality services at competitive prices.
An Asplundh Company
As part of the Asplundh family, AET benefits from extensive resources and a century of experience. Together, we provide utilities with comprehensive end-to-end services, from design to construction, testing, and maintenance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.
Our Commitment
At AET, we believe in tackling challenges together with our customers, leveraging our collective experience and resources to achieve success in every project.
Benefits
We offer a competitive range of benefits to support our employees' health, well-being, and financial security. Medical, dental, and vision benefits are available to all eligible employees on the first day of employment. For more information on the benefits available for this role, please contact the recruiter or hiring manager.
Individuals with a disability who desire a reasonable accommodation can contact the ADA Coordinator by calling 1-833-222-3066. We partner with the Department of Homeland Security/U.S. Customs and Immigration Service to e-Verify all newly hired employees.
An Equal Opportunity Employer.
Please note:
  • All job offers are subject to pre-employment drug screening and a background check.
  • Unless otherwise noted, we do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Notice to Agencies: We only accept resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or staffing services if a Service Agreement has been signed and we have requested recruitment/staffing services for the specific position. Any unsolicited resumes will become the property of the company, and no fees or compensation will be paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or staffing service.

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