APPRENTICE OR JOURNEYMAN SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN (DOT-FMCSA)

Basin Electric Power Cooperative; Williston (ND); On-site; USD 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Basin Electric Power Cooperative in Williston, ND is seeking an APPRENTICE OR JOURNEYMAN SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN (DOT-FMCSA). The role focuses on operating, maintaining, testing, and repairing substation equipment, including breakers, transformers, switchgear, and related control systems.

You will progress through an apprentice program to Journeyman status, work with senior electricians, and travel as needed for projects and outages while adhering to CIP and DOT-FMCSA requirements.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in electrical technology, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Completion of an accredited Electrical Apprenticeship program or 4 years of related military training to attain Journeyman status.
• CDL class A with air brakes and endorsements (N/H/X) and FBI background check post-offer.
• DOT/FMCSA qualified position

Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, repair, test, and inspect substation apparatus and related control systems.
• Complete on-the-job training and academic work to become proficient as Journeyman.
• Take work directions from Journeyman and Lead Substation Electricians.
• Commissioning of new equipment to ensure readiness for service and performance.
• Maintain facilities, HVAC, security fences, and associated systems around substations.
• Prepare test forms, reports, timecards, mileage logs, and other paperwork for submission.

Education

Associate’s degree in electrical technology

High school diploma or GED with 4 years electrical apprenticeship or 4 years related military training

Valid Class A CDL with air brakes and hazmat endorsements

Tools

Job description

APPRENTICE OR JOURNEYMAN SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN (DOT-FMCSA)

Job Title: APPRENTICE OR JOURNEYMAN SUBSTATION ELECTRICIAN (DOT-FMCSA)

Posting Start Date: 8/19/26

POSITION PURPOSE

This position is at our TSM Williston location in Williston, ND.

Responsible for operating, maintaining, repairing, inspecting, and testing substation apparatus, including circuit breakers, power transformers, reactors, capacitors, voltage transformers and potential devices, current transformers, circuit switchers, switches, bus work, lightning arresters, etc., and associated alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) service systems, control systems, compressor systems, etc.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Complete on-the-job training and assigned academic work to become proficient in the maintenance and repair of substation apparatus equipment to attain the level of Journeyman.
• Take work direction from other Journeyman and Lead Substation Electricians.
• Assist other Substation Electricians operating, maintaining, testing, inspecting, and commissioning of substation apparatus equipment.
• Operate, maintain, repair, test, and inspect the Transmission System Maintenance (TSM) substation apparatus and related equipment, including all voltage classes of breakers, power transformers, reactors, capacitors, voltage transformers and potential devices, current transformers, switchers, switches, bus work, lightning arresters, etc., and associated AC and DC service systems, control systems, compressor systems, etc.
• Maintain control buildings, security fences, lighting, and landscape surfaces inside and outside the substations; heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) systems; and other items as needed to ensure proper operation of the facilities.
• Commissioning of new equipment in new or existing facilities to provide the best possible assurance that the equipment is ready for service and will perform its designed functions.
• Complete the appropriate test forms, reports, timecards, mileage logs, receiving reports, and all other assigned and required paperwork for submission to the appropriate personnel.
• Maintain assigned vehicles, equipment, tools, and assist other trades in operating and maintaining the assigned TSM shops and adjoining BEPC property.
• Attain proficiency in securing outages for equipment; determining the proper clearance points; taking switching orders; and properly tagging and grounding equipment, as required, for general switching, equipment clearances, and hot line holds.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate’s degree in electrical technology, or related field; or
• A high school diploma or equivalent (GED or HSED) and either 4 years of experience with an accredited Electrical Apprenticeship program, including a Journeyman status or 4 years of related military training/experience.
• Must complete the apprentice training program within the first four years of employment to obtain the qualifications necessary to be a Substation Electrician Journeyman.
• A valid driver’s license.
• The incumbent must have a class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with air brakes and no CDL restrictions other than a medical variance (V), including the following endorsements: liquid or gaseous materials / tanker (N), and hazardous materials (H) or combination tanker/hazmat (X), which requires the successful completion of an FBI background check post-offer.If the incumbent does not have a CDL, after six months in the position, the incumbent will be required to complete CDL theory, obtain a CDL permit, complete Behind the Wheel, and obtain a passing grade on the CDL test by the end of the first year of employment.
• This is a Department of Transportation (DOT) (FMCSA) (CDL) qualified position.
• Overnight travel is required from 15-50% of a given year and more can be expected for construction projects. May be called to work anytime during nights and weekends.

This position is identified as a Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) related position, which may allow physical and/or logical access to Bulk Electric System (BES) cyber related assets or systems. This position may allow access to privileged information relating to such assets or systems. This position will be required to strictly adhere to all Basin Electric policies, procedures, and programs applicable to the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) requirements.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

This position requires continuous standing; frequent walking and climbing ladders; and occasional sitting, bending, climbing stairs, kneeling, reaching, crawling, turning valves, use of keyboard/computer, lifting up to 50 pounds, and pushing/pulling up to 100 pounds. Equipment operated and tools used include test equipment, reel stands, ladders, steel post driver, electric ratchet wrenches, hammer drills, jigsaw, Sawzall, circular saw, 10-pound mall, bucket trucks, small cranes, tractors, pickups, and hand tools. The incumbent works with large power circuit breakers (oil, gas, and air), power transformers, shunt reactors, circuit switchers, disconnect switches, potential and current transformers, and other low voltage (LV), high voltage (HV) and extra high voltage (EHV) substation equipment. Requires finger dexterity, good hearing and color vision. Over 50% of the incumbent's day is spent outdoors. Frequently works in conditions of dirt and dust, extreme heat and cold, vibration, noise, and electrical risks. The incumbent will also be required to work at heights up to 100 feet, which requires the use of safety equipment, including a harness, in accordance with ANSI Z359 standards. Harness rating usually 300 lbs, including tools, clothing, and the individual. Occasionally works around chemicals, poor ventilation, and in confined spaces. Must remain fit for duty.

KEY SKILLS

• Knowledge of electrical theory and its application, electrical blueprint reading, and a mechanical aptitude.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Ability to communicate, perform close work, and analyze data and reports.

Wage: $52.38 - 62.36/hour

Basin Electric wants all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, or who needs other assistance or accommodations, please contact us at 701-223-0441. Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed or provide your contact information, and a Basin Electric Human Resources representative will contact you. Basin Electric is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer regarding race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and veterans status.