Assistant City Electrician

City-of-Cambridge,-Ma; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Cambridge seeks an Assistant City Electrician to support the City Electrician in supervising staff and overseeing the operation, maintenance, and coordination of electrical and communications systems. The role includes permitting, record-keeping, project support, and emergency response for municipal infrastructure.

The position requires MA licenses (Master/Journeyman), OSHA-30, and a strong background in street lighting, signaling, fiber networks, and related systems.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 5+ years in electrical systems including street lighting or municipal infrastructure, with supervisory experience.
• Massachusetts Master Electrician or Journeyman license required; OSHA 30 Safety Training.

Responsibilities

• Supervise department staff and plan/coordinate daily operations.
• Oversee electrical/communications work by private utilities and contractors.
• Issue permits and maintain records for electrical/communication work.
• Assist in budget prep and resource planning.
• Respond to on-call emergencies and maintain municipal systems.

Skills

Municipal electrical systems

Massachusetts Electrical Code

Traffic management & safety

Telephone systems

Microsoft Office (Excel/Word)

Supervisory experience

Field decision making

On-call readiness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor's preferred

Tools

Massachusetts Master Electrician license

Massachusetts Journeyman Electrician license

Massachusetts CDL Class B

Massachusetts Hoisting Class 1B

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant City Electrician assists the City Electrician in supervising departmental personnel and overseeing the operation, maintenance, and coordination of the City’s electrical and communications systems. Reporting to the City Electrician, the position supports utility work and permitting for electrical and communications installations in public ways, ensures compliance with applicable codes and standards, maintains related system records, and coordinates activities with City departments, contractors, and external utilities. Responsibilities also include planning work, ordering materials, supporting budget preparation and special projects, and responding to emergency and on-call situations as required to support the safe and reliable operation of municipal infrastructure.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Supervise departmental personnel under the direction of the City Electrician and assist in planning, assigning, and reviewing work to support daily operations and emergency response.
• Oversee electrical and communications work performed by private utilities and contractors, including installations and equipment located on or above public ways in Cambridge.
• Issue utility permits and maintain records for electrical and communications utility work, including work performed by private contractors.
• Assist in preparing and monitoring the department’s operating and capital budgets and participate in departmental planning and coordination of resources.
• Oversee special projects, as directed by the City Electrician.
• Maintain records of City-owned poles, fixtures, and related equipment, as well as utility-owned poles in Cambridge, and coordinate with utilities regarding maintenance and related issues.
• Purchase electrical materials, supplies, and related equipment for departmental operations and other City needs, as assigned.
• Perform and oversee electrical work as needed, including electrical maintenance and repair; streetlight repair; and maintenance of the municipal fire alarm system, fiber networks, interior fire alarms, and security systems.
• Assume full responsibility for department operations during the absence of the City Electrician.
• Manage telephone systems, including billing, service, and repair.
• Respond to on-call and emergency situations as required.
• Perform related duties as required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent. Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in electrical systems, including street lighting, signal systems, or related municipal infrastructure, including supervisory experience.
• Valid Massachusetts Master Electrician or Journeyman Electrician license required; Master Electrician license strongly preferred. Massachusetts CDL Class B license preferred; Massachusetts Hoisting Class 1B license preferred.
• Certification in OSHA 30 Safety and Health Training required.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the Massachusetts State Electrical Code.
• Knowledge of municipal electrical systems, including street lighting, signal systems, fiber cable networks, local network cabling, and fire and security systems.
• Knowledge of utility work involving electric and communications installation in or above the public way.
• Knowledge of traffic management plans and safety practices for work performed in the public way.
• Knowledge of telephone systems and related communications infrastructure.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel and Word.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively manage daily departmental operations.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound field decisions related to streetlight repair, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Commitment to anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups across diverse identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general direction of the City Electrician, exercising independent judgment in day-to-day operations. Work is reviewed for effectiveness, compliance with applicable codes and regulations, and adherence to departmental policies and objectives.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Supervises assigned departmental staff and field crews and provides day-to-day direction, scheduling, training, and performance feedback. Oversees contractors and utility crews working under City permits. Assumes full authority for all department operations in the absence of the City Electrician.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a combination of office, field, and outdoor environments with regular travel to municipal facilities, roadways, parks, athletic fields, and active project sites throughout Cambridge. Duties require regular exposure to outdoor weather conditions, energized electrical equipment, traffic hazards, confined spaces, heights, noise, and other conditions associated with electrical maintenance and infrastructure operations. The position requires availability for 24/7 on-call response to emergencies and work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Work involves substantial physical activity, including operating a bucket truck, climbing ladders and staging, using personnel lifts, and performing tasks that require lifting, walking, bending, stretching, squatting, reaching, and working in confined or elevated spaces. Duties involve operating tools, equipment, and vehicles; lifting and carrying materials and equipment; and performing physically demanding activities in varying indoor and outdoor environmental conditions. The position also requires the ability to use computers and standard office equipment for administrative functions.

The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse. Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.