Electric Utility Jobs Key Terms

Power up on these electric utility key terms

By L. Newton
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.

 

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


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