Learn what falls under the umbrella of electric utility jobs basics so you can make the decisions you need to in order to achieve your career goals. From linemen who work on the wires to technicians who troubleshoot issues and install utility connections for homes and businesses, there are a variety of options in electric utility employment opportunities.

Recognize what pay scale you can expect from various electric power jobs. Differing electrical utility jobs require different training and levels of experience, and remember that pay scales vary from region to region. Make sure you understand what pay scales you can expect for your skill set and geographical location.

1. Gear your education toward electric power utility jobs.

2. Join professional associations to help you network with others in electric utility careers.

3. Stay on top of the latest news in the utility electrician industry.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose classes that will help you achieve success in electric utility careers

Evaluate classes offered by a variety of educational facilities. Know the legal requirements in your location to become an electrician, and make sure the schools you choose offer classes that allow you to meet those requirements and to pass the exams to become licensed.

I recommend: Mississippi Gulf Coast College and the Southeast Lineman Training Center offer utility lineman apprentice programs. High-Tech Institute will provide you with the education you need to succeed in utility careers. Penn Foster offers self-study electrician training, as well as on-the-job training for many utility careers, from power plant operator to meter reader.

Network with professionals in the utility electrician industry

Join professional associations created to help utility electricians succeed in their chosen field. Look for associations that have been around for a long time and those that help you further your education while holding you to high standards of conduct. Your affiliation with such associations will help you climb the ladder to success.

I recommend: National Electrical Contractors Association promotes electricians across the nation while advocating research and education. Independent Electrical Contractors Association was founded in 1957 with the intent to foster the economy through high-quality service provided by its members.

Read up on the electric power jobs industry

Find the resources you need to stay informed on the rapid changes in the electrical industry. Look for sites that are updated frequently and that keep up on local, national and international utility information.

I recommend: Platts has several articles and newsletters available to keep you abreast of the latest news in the electrical industry. Edison Electric Institute takes pride in bringing the electrical industry together and providing the information you need in a field that changes frequently.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Locate a mentor who will help you learn the ins and outs of being a licensed electrician. Choose a mentor that you trust to guide you along your path to success in energy utility jobs.

If you are interested in electric utility employment, you have chosen a lucrative and stable career. There are electric utility jobs all over the country and there are no signs that these types of jobs will decrease.

There are many different types of electric utility careers, from monitoring the equipment from a central location, to going out to repair the power lines.

Some things you should know about electric power jobs:

1. Many jobs, especially if you are a utility electrician, require long hours. They pay is quite high, but you often must work in bad weather conditions. If a storm knocks out the power in a particular area, you may be working outside in the rain, snow or heat to get those lines back up.

2. In most cases, there are very few choices of companies if you want electrical utility jobs. One company usually covers a large area. This could be a problem if you have a conflict with management.

3. You will usually belong to a union, which aims to improve your working conditions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Search the job boards for electric utility positions

If you don't want to buy the newspaper, you can easily find utility jobs online. Some sites even specialize in listing only jobs with utility companies.

I recommend: Search for jobs at Utility-Worker.com. You can also post your resume so that employers can contact you. Sign up to receive job alerts from UtilitiesJobs.com.

Save the environment with alternative energy utility jobs

As people become more concerned about environmental issues, there is a greater interest in alternative energy sources. Jobs with these companies give you a paycheck and the piece of mind knowing that you are helping to create solutions.

I recommend: RenewableEnergyWorld.com lists a variety of jobs in the renewable energy field. There's sure to be something that matches your experience. Green Dream Jobs has a job search engine that helps you to narrow down positions by state, job type, and experience level.

Use an executive search firm for top-level utility jobs

There's no doubt that a professional recruiter can help you find a better job, particularly if you are looking at the executive level. An executive search firm will help you find the job that is best for you.

I recommend: David Gomez & Associates, Inc. can help you find the job that you've been looking for. EWP Recruiting Solutions also helps place executives into an appropriate position.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are a utility electrician, you may be required to travel for a few days at a time. This usually occurs when there is a natural disaster in a different state. In most cases, the state doesn't have the manpower to fix the issues in a timely manner, so they will bring in workers from other states to work on these short term electric utility jobs.

Electric utility jobs have experienced tremendous growth and there will almost always be a demand for highly trained lineworkers, utility electrician technicians, power plant operators and electrical engineers.

Most labor-intensive electric power jobs require a one to two-year apprenticeship, two-year technical trade school degree or an on-the-job-training program. Higher-level management and electrical engineer positions demand a 4-year engineering degree and advanced training in electric distribution, power, generation or transmission. Finding the right electric utility training will:

1. Improve employee productivity in electrical utility jobs.

2. Offer the opportunity to develop partnerships with local trade and technical schools with special electric utility training programs.

3. Promote advancement and growth opportunities for employees in electric utility positions.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Locate national electric utility associations with approved training programs for utility careers

National and local electric utility associations provide extensive approved electric utility training programs, online education, seminars and resources in the utility industry. These organizations also feature networking, advanced training and job opportunities in the electric utility industry.

I recommend: Energy Providers Coalition for Education is an electric utility industry organization that offers online learning, continued education, resources, certifications and electric power technical training programs for lineworkers, utility electricians and repairers. American Public Power Association offers its members accreditation classes, continuing education, seminars and online electric utility training programs.

Partner with local technical schools who specialize in electric utility careers training

Major electric companies partner with local technical trade schools that offer electric utility training programs in order to recruit and retain top employees. The electric utility company and technical trade school work together to ensure the employee has proper training and certification.

I recommend: Thomas Edison State College features a specialty Bachelor's degree program in energy utility technology and partners with local electric utility companies for onsite training. Metropolitan Community College offers certification and Associate degree programs for an electric utility line technician.

Research sponsored utility apprenticeship programs for energy utility jobs

Many electric utility national organizations and accredited technical colleges offer company sponsored apprenticeship programs for lineworkers, electric utility techs and repairers in order to streamline training and improve retention. These company sponsored apprenticeship programs create an opportunity for the employee to combine classroom and on-the-job-training.

I recommend: Bismarck State College offers a Workforce Energy Education customized training program specifically for electric utility businesses. The Center for Energy Workforce Development is a comprehensive organization that offers resources to electric utility companies in training development and apprenticeship programs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before enrolling in an electric utility training program, research to ensure that the electric utility employment training program has state certification and accreditation.
• •  Join local or national electric utility associations. These associations provide a wide range of information about electric utility jobs education and training resources.

Any job working in power utilities is potentially dangerous. Safely carrying out the duties assigned to these workers requires them to be knowledgeable in their own area as well as areas of other electrical workers. It takes a variety of jobs and people to get electricity into businesses and homes. Among such jobs are power plant operators, meter readers, linemen, electricians and others. Each job requires different levels of expertise and training.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Lineman

A lineman is an electrical power worker who works with the power lines. This job requires individuals to install and repair power lines. These workers often have long and late hours, working during emergencies and power outages to repair and restore electricity. They work with transmission towers, insulators, poles, and other electrical line products.

I recommend: MGCCC offers a brief description of the duties of a lineman along with information about the training program.

Power system electricians

This career consists of electricians who work on power system operations. While general electricians work with power within a building, power system electricians work on electrical units from the power source to the building.

I recommend: ILC offers more details about power system electricians.

Meter reader

A meter reader is a person who performs the task of reading the meter that shows the consumption of power used by a particular building or home. They may also inspect or repair meters containing possible defects.

I recommend: BLS lists the duties, tasks, and outlooks for the occupation of meter readers.

Power plant operator

Power plant operators work at the power plant to ensure that all systems are functioning properly. They adjust controls as needed to regulate the flow of power. They view the readings and gauges and record data. They maintain equipment at the power plant. They discuss information with system operators.

I recommend: View more tasks of power plant operators from O Net Center.

Power system operator, switchman

While power plant operators work at the main site of the power source, power system operators work at the power generating stations. They control the amount of electricity to a particular area. It is their job to ensure that customers within this area have properly working electricity. They discuss issue with power plant operators.

I recommend: Gain more knowledge about power system operators from EDU Net Connect.

Utility worker

A utility worker helps journeyman electrical workers with such matters as raising and lowering tools and equipment weighing to 100 pounds by using ropes, cables, and other methods, as well as flagginng traffic.

I recommend: For more duties of a utility worker, check with Pacific Gas & Electric.