Assistant CAD Operator 3

GAI Consultants Inc; DuBois (Clearfield County); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Wellness resources

Job summary

GAI Consultants, Inc. seeks an Assistant CAD Operator 3 in Dubois, PA, a Distribution Designer/Drafter role. You will design distribution lines, prepare drawings, BOMs, and coordinate with field personnel under a hybrid work policy. Strong CAD skills, basic AutoCAD, and field survey experience are valued, with opportunities to advance within a multidisciplinary firm.

Travel is approx. 10% and you’ll engage with customers and internal teams to ensure design options meet codes and client needs.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in drafting or related field or six months of related work experience.
• Basic AutoCAD knowledge.
• Construction knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support to distribution engineering and field personnel for upgrading and maintaining the distribution system.
• Design and permit distribution lines, including drawing prep, BOM development, material ordering, and field visits with minimal supervision.
• Meet with external customers to discuss service requirements and design options.
• Perform survey and layout work in the field.
• Interpret boundary lines, topographic and as-built surveys, construction staking, ROW staking and collect geospatial points.
• Initiate designs for new construction, conversion or improvement of overhead and underground facilities.
• Inspect work to ensure conformance with design requirements and NEC/NESC standards.
• Possibly perform field inspections and storm restoration support as needed.
• Provide status updates to supervisors, customers, or others as required.
• Follow local utility and construction standards.

Skills

CAD drafting

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

MS Office

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Education

Associate degree in drafting or related field

Six months related experience

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Job description

GAI Consultants, Inc. is seeking an Assistant CAD Operator 3, also known as a Distribution Designer/Drafter. This position is eligible for GAI’s flexible Hybrid workplace place/Telework Policy and will report to the Dubois, PA office. The ideal candidate has good analytical thinking, problem-solving techniques, computer-aided drafting (CAD) experience, and excellent communication skills.

• Provide technical support to distribution engineering and field personnel for the upgrading and maintenance of the distribution system.
• With minimal supervision, design and permit distribution lines, including drawing preparation, bill of materials development, material ordering, and conducting field visits.
• Meets with external customers concerning service requirements and design options.
• Perform survey and layout work in the field.
• Interpret property line boundary, topographic surveys, as-built surveys, construction staking, ROW staking and collection of geospatial points.
• Initiate designs for new construction, conversion or improvement of both overhead and underground distribution facilities.
• Inspect work performed by associated crews to ensure construction meets design requirements, association specifications and NESC/NEC requirements.
• May also entail field inspection duties including but not limited to patrolling distribution lines to assess current state, future needs, or storm restoration support.
• Provide scheduled or requested status updates to supervisors, customers or other relevant parties.
• Follow local utility and construction standards.

Travel:

• 10%

Education Requirements:

• Associate’s degree in electrical technology or engineering technology (or similar discipline) or six months’ work experience that directly relates to the responsibilities above (helper or intern experience acceptable) required.
• Basic AutoCAD knowledge.
• Construction Knowledge

Experience Preferred:

• 1+ years of experience in Distribution utility work.
• Must demonstrate the ability to understand codes and practices related to the position along with general construction knowledge.
• Candidates must have the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with a diverse audience (customers, field workers and management).
• Ability to retain and apply on-the-job training.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with MS Office software.
• Must be detail-oriented and maintain professionalism. We provide a “Client First” approach to all interactions.
• Strong organizational skills are a must.
• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Understanding of AutoCAD, MicroStation, and/or related drafting software.

General Characteristics

• Accountable for budget, scope, and deadlines. Begins to demonstrate advanced knowledge of CAD skills. Focuses on quality.Begins to perform self-reviews ofwork. Corrects errors before submitting work toothers forreview

Minimum Years of Experience

• 3+ Years of Experience

Education

• Associate Degree from an accredited Technical School orequivalent experience

Technical Responsibilities

• Clear understanding of geospacial relationships. Perform general review ofproject work. Advanced knowledge of aspects of corporate and group standards

Project and Task Management

• Responsible for personal task management and adherence todeadlines and scope

Management Responsibility

• Provides minimal oversight and begins to provide mentoring to lower-level CAD Operators
• Given general instructions and performs work independently withminimal supervision

Communication Skills

• Possess very good oral and written communication skills. Interacts effectively with other staff. Able to coach and mentor lower-level CAD staff as required to facilitate projects

“Why GAI?”

GAI offers an exceptional place to do meaningful work, grow your career, and make a real impact in communities nationwide. You’ll join a collaborative, multidisciplinary firm bringing together engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to deliver projects across transportation, infrastructure, power, and energy markets. Working alongside accomplished colleagues, you’ll help move projects from vision through construction, creating solutions that keep people moving, power essential systems, and support responsible development.

At GAI, you’ll work in a team-driven environment grounded in integrity, respect, and shared success, with the flexibility, resources, and career support that reflect a real and lasting commitment to our people. That commitment includes comprehensive benefits, wellness programs, and employee discounts. With opportunities across the U.S., GAI offers the collaboration and client focus of regional teams, supported by the stability, resources, and career-development opportunities of an established and growing firm.

Benefits To Working at GAI Include:

Competitive Pay & Recognition

• Performancedriven recognition and development bonuses
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
• Generous paid time off + 7 paid holidays
• Anadditionalfloating holiday—use it for what matters to you
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications

#GAI

Qualifications

Education

Required

Associates or better in Drafting or related field.

Experience

Required

3 years:

Related Experience

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.