ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION MECHANIC (3879) (REVISED 5/21/26)

City of Los Angeles; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 215,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Los Angeles is seeking Electric Distribution Mechanic trainees and journey-level workers to support the construction, maintenance, and repair of overhead and underground distribution systems in Los Angeles. The role involves climbing poles, installing transformers, meters, and related equipment, with extensive on-the-job training.

The City provides pathways from trainee to journey-level, with a structured training program lasting up to 54 months and strict safety requirements, including

Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Assist in construction, maintenance and repair of overhead electric distribution lines and equipment; installs and services equipment on poles and in vaults.
• Climb poles, install transformers, meters, and related hardware; perform live-line work within safety standards.
• Operate and maintain tools and equipment; comply with safety and regulatory requirements for electric craft work.

Job description

ANNUAL SALARY For trainee positions: $130,604 to $167,916; and $136,972 to $176,101

DUTIES ANNUAL SALARY For trainee positions: $130,604 to $167,916; and $136,972 to $176,101 For journey-level positions: $195,666 (flat-rated); $204,874 (flat-rated); and; $215,335 (flat-rated) NOTES:

• Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
• Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.
• For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go to http://per.lacity.org/Reciprocity_CityDepts_and_DWP.pdf.

Electric Distribution Mechanic trainees assist in the construction, maintenance and repair of overhead electric power sub-transmission and distribution lines and equipment; constructs high-voltage distribution pole lines; makes construction changes to existing lines and equipment; repairs power lines and line equipment; repairs and reroutes services; sets poles; installs transformer racks; hangs and installs transformers and switches of various types and sizes; installs overhead street lights and guy wires; makes repairs to energized lines; performs limited line clearance tree trimming; installs watt-hour meters; uses appropriate live line tools to install and remove approved protective covering on energized distribution and sub-transmission circuits of 7.5kV and above; and climbs poles. Electric Distribution Mechanic trainees assist in the construction, maintenance, and repair of underground electric power, transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution cable work. Performs work activities in connection with underground cable installation and removal; pulls cables and service lines through sub-structures, vaults, duct lines, up poles and walls, over roofs of buildings and to customers’ service panels; performs rigging operations of cable pulling equipment; installs and removes transformers and related equipment in vaults and sub-structures; splices energized and de-energized low-voltage cables, splices high voltage de-energized cables; maintains gas and oil filled cable and equipment; installs watt hour meters; and climbs poles as related to underground work.

A journey-level Electric Distribution Mechanic performs skilled mechanical and electrical work in connection with the construction, maintenance, and repair of energized and/or de-energized overhead and underground electric transmission, subtransmission, distribution, communication, and utilitarian street light lines, cables, and equipment; and may work as a mentor over a group of skilled craft workers.

PROCESS NOTES

• All Electric Distribution Mechanics are required to drive commercial vehicles.
• Electric Distribution Mechanic (EDM) – Journey-Level
  • California Residents and In-State Applicants: As a condition of employment, a valid Class A driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), along with a valid medical certificate approved by the DMV, is required at the time of appointment.
  • Out-of-State Applicants: A valid commercial driver’s license issued by a comparable state DMV, an official driving history record, and a valid medical certificate approved by the respective state DMV are required at the time of appointment. As a condition of employment, a valid Class A driver’s license issued by the California DMV must be obtained within three months of appointment.
• EDM in Training (Trainee)
  • All applicants (California Residents, In-State, and Out-of-State): As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California DMV (or comparable state issued driver’s license) and an official driving history record are required at the time of appointment. Appointed trainees are given six months from the start of the temporary training program to obtain a valid Class A driver’s license issued by the California DMV.
• Disqualification: Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation (such as a DUI or DWI) within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.
• All entry-level positions in this class are temporary training positions as defined in Civil Service Commission Rule 5.30. Trainees receive extensive classroom training as well as on-the-job training as a cable splicer and as a line mechanic. An Electric Distribution Mechanic must successfully complete an extensive on-the-job and classroom training program in order to receive an appointment to a regular Electric Distribution Mechanic position. It is anticipated that the training period will last up to 54 months.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #1 must submit an Apprenticeship Certificate at the time of filing. The certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted the certificate. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #1 must submit proof of having a journey-level line worker card, such as an IBEW official receipt indicating the trade classification, at the time of filing. A copy of this proof must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If it is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit proof at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #1 may be considered for direct appointment to a regular (journey-level) Electric Distribution Mechanic position and may waive the multiple-choice test but must achieve a passing score on the performance test to be placed on the eligible list. All other applicants must achieve a passing score on the qualifying multiple-choice test to be scheduled for the performance test.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #2 must submit a copy of their pole climbing proficiency certificate at the time of filing. A copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with submitting it. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #3 or #4 must submit a copy of their certificate of completion at the time of filing. A copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with submitting it. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Active United States Military personnel may file for this examination; however, they cannot be appointed until they have completed their military service and have been discharged with satisfactory performance. Proof of military service and satisfactory performance must be provided prior to appointment.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #2b must submit at the time of filing their application a copy of their DD-214 or a copy of their military identification indicating an End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS) date within six months from the application date. The copy of the DD-214 or military identification with EAOS must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the copy is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the DD-214 or military identification with EAOS at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• An Electric Distribution Mechanic is required to utilize various tools and equipment while working in the confined area of an underground vault.
• Electric Distribution Mechanics are required to climb power poles and utilize various tools and equipment at the top of a pole.

SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION In accordance with Charter Section 1010 (b) and Civil Service Rule 5.31, selective certification will be used for some positions that require special skills and/or training in one or more of the following areas. Only persons possessing the following at the time of filing may be considered for appointments to fill such positions. Possession of a certificate of completion of an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) accredited line worker training program and a valid journey-level line worker card issued by IBEW. Applicants must attach a copy of the certificate of completion and valid journey-level line worker card to the on-line application at the time of filing. The certificate of completion and valid journey-level line worker card must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the documents are attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, they will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted the documents. Applicants who fail to submit the documents at the time of filing by not attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered for this part of selective certification.

APPLICATION DEADLINE This examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. For administrative purposes, filing may close periodically and reopen the following day.

SELECTION PROCESS Examination Weight: After meeting minimum qualifications, candidates filing under Requirement #2, #3, or #4 will be scheduled for the following two tests and candidates filing under Requirement #1 will be scheduled for the Performance Test only: Multiple-Choice Test - Qualifying Performance Test - 100% In the qualifying multiple-choice test, which will be administered and proctored on-line candidates may be examined for knowledge of: basic physical principles related to the operation of mechanical devices; the proper use and care of portable power and hand tools; basic safety principles and procedures, including first aid and safe work practices for electrical craft work and work in confined spaces; basic arithmetic; and the ability to read sufficiently to understand reference guides, maps, scales, dials, digital readings and measures; and other necessary skills, knowledge and abilities. The qualifying multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test from a remote location (i.e., their home) using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection. Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the qualifying multiple-choice test on-line. Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination. For candidates who apply between NOVEMBER 19, 2025 and MAY 24, 2026, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between JULY 28, 2026 to AUGUST 3, 2026. For candidates who apply between MAY 25, 2026 and NOVEMBER 27, 2026, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between JANUARY 26, 2027 to FEBRUARY 1, 2027. FAQs for on-line testing are available at http://per.lacity.org/index.cfm?content=employmenttestingprocess. Candidates who do not have the required equipment may have the option to take the multiple-choice test onsite at a City facility. Passing Score for the Qualifying Multiple‑Choice Test The passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test will be determined by Personnel Department staff after the multiple-choice test is administered. Consideration will be given to the number of candidates taking the test and the existing and anticipated number of vacancies, such that there are a sufficient number of eligibles on the list to satisfy current and future vacancies for the next two years. Therefore, the passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test may be set either at above or below 70%. For candidates filing under Requirement #2, #3, or #4, only those who receive a passing score on the qualifying multiple-choice test will be scheduled for the performance test. The Performance Test will consist of a series of tasks in which candidates may be examined for: knowledge of portable power and hand tools; physical agility sufficient to climb, balance, and extend; manual dexterity; safety procedures and precautions; and the ability to: lift up to 70 pounds unassisted; measure materials accurately; follow oral and written instructions; read and understand diagrams; communicate orally in a clear and concise manner; and other necessary skills, knowledge and abilities. Candidates will need to wear appropriate work attire when reporting for the performance test. Long pants, long-sleeved shirt, and lineman boots are required. Climbing equipment such as gaff pole climbers, body belt, fall restraint system, and body harness will be provided. You may use your own personal gaff pole climbers and body belt if your equipment meets DWP safety standards and passes inspection by the test raters. All climbing equipment shall be maintained in good serviceable condition that meets Power Distribution Business Unit Safety Rule standards. Candidates will be notified later by e-mail of the time and location of the performance test, which will be held in Los Angeles. Journey-level applicants may be notified of other test dates.

NOTES:

• This examination is based on a validation study, and as provided by Civil Service Commission Rule 4.20, the multiple-choice test will not be subject to candidate inspection.
• Journey-level candidates may take the test only once every 180 days during the administration of this examination. Trainee-level candidates may take the test only once every 90 days during the administration of this examination. This restriction applies to both the multiple-choice test and the performance test.
• Based on the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1994, you may be required to undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing prior to and during employment in this class.
• As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
• Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
• A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.
• Your rank on the employment list may change as scores of candidates from other administrations of the examination are merged onto one list.
• Your name may be removed from the open competitive list after six months.
• Candidates who fail the multiple-choice test or the performance test must file a new application to be considered eligible to take the multiple-choice and performance tests in a subsequent administration.

Notice: If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN ONLY

ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER For additional information and FAQs regarding the City's hiring process, please go to: https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html There Are Many Things To Consider In a New Employer. Visit The Following Webpage To View Benefits The City Of Los Angeles Offers Its Employees: http://per.lacity.org/bens/index.html