Substation Trainee Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Summary
This is NOT a full level journeyman position. The objective of WAPA's Craftsman-in-Training (CIT) program is to recruit journeyman-level craftsmen with knowledge and experience that is relevant, but less than required at the journeyman level for this occupation at WAPA.
This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants. See Additional Information section.
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Duties
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The Craftsman-in-Training Program is designed to train, appraise, and develop craftsmen as they progress through various stages of an occupation to become fully competent journeymen. The standard length of time in the program for each trainee is two (2) years. The 2-year program consists of four levels, with 6 months at each level.
At the full performance (journeyman) level, you will:

• Install, construct, commission, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair equipment in high voltage switchyards, substations, communication facilities and power operations centers.
• Substation station service systems, station grounding systems, alternating current. and direct current distribution and control system wiring, terminate, splice, direct bury high voltage cable up to 34.5 kV.
• Safely operate vehicles up to 10,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR) and vehicles of larger GVWR rating as required by the job location. Heavy equipment associated with substation maintenance may include utility trucks, skid steers, trenchers, tractor-trailer combinations, back hoes, aerial man lifts, loaders, diggers, cranes, snow vehicles and snowplows normally used in construction and maintenance activities of transmission line, substation and communication facilities.
• Construct and commission new substations, stage additions, or infrastructure replacements or additions.
• Perform switching in high voltage substations and switchyards. May receive clearances and hotline orders.
• Operate and maintain oil processing equipment such as oil filtration pumps, auxiliary oil heating units, oil degasification units, cryogenic or refrigerated moisture traps.
• Climb substation equipment and structures.
• Provide technical guidance and training to apprentices and to other craft employees.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period. Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• A Service Agreement of up to 2 years is required for this position.
• This position requires the ability to operate a Government vehicle. The incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license. Defensive Driver's Training will be completed upon employment.
• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate vehicles of more than 26,000 pounds GVWR. The CDL must be obtained within 120 days of employment, or longer if outside the control of the employee.
• The incumbent must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.
• The incumbent must wear Arc Rated protective clothing when in proximity to exposed energized circuits.
• The incumbent is subject to the random drug and alcohol testing program established by the Department of Energy.
• The position requires a pre-appointment and annual physical exam at Federal expense.
• The incumbent of this position is subject to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold.
• This position may be subject to regular and recurring overtime. Overtime may be on short notice to include nights, holidays, and weekends in support of related mission requirements.
• This position requires the incumbent to climb structures averaging 65 feet in height.
• This position requires a climbing weight not to exceed 310 pounds with all required gear and personal weight without gear not to exceed 280 pounds.
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally fly in a fixed wing aircraft or helicopter during the performance of assigned duties.
• The position may require nationally accredited crane certification for fixed and/or swing boom cranes. If so, training will be provided at Federal expense.

Qualifications
You must meet one of the following requirements (screen out factors) for the CIT program:

• Have completed a 4-year apprentice program in a related craft.
• Are, or have been, employed by Western Area Power Administration as a journeyman in a craft occupation.
• Hold, or have held, a journeyman level (i.e., level achieved by at least 4 years of training) in a related craft.

In order to qualify for this position, your resume must provide sufficient experience and/or education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume is the key means we have for evaluating your skills, knowledge, and abilities, as they relate to this position. Therefore, we encourage you to submit a thorough resume that directly relates to this position.
Applicants must meet the requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations (X-118C). Although a specific length of time and experience is not required for most trade and labor occupations, you must show through experience and training that you possess the quality level of knowledge and skill necessary to perform the duties of the position at the level for which you are applying. Qualification requirements emphasis is on the quality of experience, not necessarily the length of time.
Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the job elements and screen out listed below. This job has a screen-out factors which will be used to determine minimum eligibility for this job. Applicants who do not receive a minimum of two points on this screen-out element(s) will be found ineligible.
If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by job titles alone.
"Experience" refers to paid and unpaid experience. Examples of qualifying unpaid experience may include: volunteer work done through National Service programs (such as Peace Corps and AmeriCorps); as well as work for other community-based philanthropic and social organizations. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills; and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Physical Effort:
Active climbing, lifting, working in strained positions. Work from ladders, scaffolds, and man-lift devices. May work from substation's support structures which requires the use of appropriate fall protection equipment. Install and repair equipment in confined and enclosed spaces. Regularly lift and carry items weighing 50 pounds or more.
Working Conditions:
Be able to wear protective apparel (such as respirators, steel-toed footwear) when required for worker safety. Work is both inside and out-of-doors with exposure to hazardous materials and the possibility of electric shock, falls, bruises, cuts, burns, strains, and inclement weather. May be required to fly to work sites by either fixed wing aircraft or helicopter. Work may require considerable travel requiring temporary lodging away from the duty station.
Education
For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.
Additional information

• This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE.
• This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants.
  
  • Applications received by 09/18/2026 will be considered for the first referral.
  • Applications received after 09/18/2026, but by 10/19/2026, will be considered for the second referral.
  • Applications received after 10/19/2026, but by 11/27/2026, will be considered for the final referral.
• The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive. You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized.
• This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave. Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
• Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period. A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.