ELECTRICAL TEST TECHNICIAN (7512) (A3) (REVISED 10-20-26)

City of Los Angeles; California; On-site; USD 91,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Los Angeles is offering entry-level and trainee positions for Electrical Test Technicians. Trainees receive classroom and on-the-job instruction and work under supervision to perform diagnostic tests, calibration, repair, and maintenance on electrical systems and SCADA equipment.

There is a clear path from trainee to journey-level with progression through extensive on-the-job training. The program emphasizes safety, compliance with DOT and Cal-OSHA regulations, and family-friendly

Qualifications

• Completion of 8 months in Utility Pre-Craft Trainee program.
• Three semester units or four quarter units in physics, chemistry, electricity, or electronics.
• Pre-Electrical Craft Helper certificate from LA Trade Tech College.
• Six months of electrical work experience in maintenance or construction of electrical systems in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Responsibilities

• Assist journey-level technicians in calibration tests and diagnostics.
• Test meters, relays, instruments, transformers, and renewable resources.
• Perform inspections and tests on high/low voltage circuits and SCADA systems.
• May direct a group of trainees during field or lab testing.

Skills

Electrical test equipment

Calibration & testing

Safety awareness

Team collaboration

Education

Utility Pre-Craft Trainee program (8 months)

College coursework in physics/chemistry/electricity/electronics (3 sem/4 quarter units)

Pre-Electrical Craft Helper certificate (LA Trade Tech)

US armed forces electrical experience (6 months)

Job description

ANNUAL SALARY $90,786 to $116,740; $98,198 to $122,001; $104,400 to $129,706

DUTIES

An entry-level Electrical Test Technician receives intensive classroom and on-the-job instruction and training. The trainee is supervised by an Electrical Test Technician Supervisor and works as a trainee assisting journey-level Electrical Test Technicians in the performance of diagnostic tests, calibration, repair, maintenance, and adjustments on high and low voltage electrical circuits, equipment and related material; meters, smart-grid systems, conventional and renewable generation resources, control circuits, instruments, relays and related equipment and materials; new locations; and performs related duties. A journey-level Electrical Test Technician performs routine calibration tests of meters; performs routine electrical tests of material; assists in testing more complex electric instruments and equipment; tests electric meters, control and protective relays, instruments, transformers, and other equipment and materials; performs cathodic protection in underground and overhead structures; performs infrared inspection of high voltage overhead distribution systems; and builds and tests circuit boards, removes or replaces components, and tests communication levels, in regard to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Journey-level Electrical Test Technicians may occasionally direct a group of employees engaged in field or laboratory electrical testing; perform the more difficult and advanced functions of electrical testing; and perform related duties.

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 .

REQUIREMENT(S)/MINIMUM QUALIFICATION(S)

• Six months of full-time paid experience and current employment as a helper or trainee for a utility performing work on equipment and circuits, construction and maintenance; or
• Completion of eight months in the Utility Pre-Craft Trainee training program sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power performing electrical work on equipment and circuits, in excess of 120 volts in the maintenance or construction of electrical systems; or
• Successful completion of three semester units or four quarter units from an accredited college, university, or trade school in physics, chemistry, electricity, or electronics; or
• Successful completion of the Pre-Electrical Craft Helper training course presented by the Los Angeles Trade Technical College; or
• Six months of full-time experience performing electrical work on equipment and circuits in the maintenance or construction of electrical systems while in the United States Armed Forces.

PROCESS NOTES

• Applicants filing under Requirement #2 who lack two months or less of the required experience may file for this examination. However, they cannot be appointed until the full experience requirement is met.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #2 must submit a copy of their City of Los Angeles "Verification of Work Experience" (VWE) form with the required signatures, verifying their experience performing electrical work on high and low voltage equipment and circuits in the maintenance or construction of electrical systems. The VWE form should indicate the type of work performed and the amount of time spent performing such work. The form may be obtained on-line at http://per.lacity.org/exams/vwe-sup.pdf . Applicants may attach the completed VWE form to their on-line application at the time of filing, or will have seven (7) calendar days from the on-line submission date to e‑mail a copy of their completed VWE form, including the required signatures, to [e-mail] . The subject line of your e‑mail must include the exam title, your name and indication it is a VWE. In the body of your e‑mail, you must also include your first and last name, last four digits of your Social Security Number and contact phone number. Applicants who fail to submit their signed VWE form within the time required will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #3 must list the course titles with the number of semester or quarter units, school attended and completion dates in the Supplemental Questions section of the City application. Applicants who fail to provide this information on their application will not be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #4 must submit a copy of their Electrical Craft Helper certificate of completion at the time of filing. The 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 applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted 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 and their applications will not be processed.
• Appointments will be made to temporary training positions in accordance with Section 5.30 of the Rules of the Board of Civil Service Commissions, for a maximum duration of three years. An Electrical Test Technician in a trainee position must successfully complete a three-year intensive on-the-job and classroom training program to qualify for promotion to journey-level.
• 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 #5 must submit at the time of filing their application a copy of their DD214 or military identification indicating an End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS) date within six months of the application date. The copy of the DD214 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 copy at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application WILL NOT be considered further in this examination and their applications will not be processed.
• As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is required at the time of appointment. Applicants will be 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 within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.
• Employees who work in and around DOT-regulated natural gas/petroleum oil pipelines are subject to Federal DOT testing protocols under the Federal Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 (49 CFR Part 199 - Drug and Alcohol Testing) and must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test under the DOT protocol.
• Please note that qualifying education must be from a college or university accredited by a City of Los Angeles recognized agency. A list of approved accrediting agencies can be found at http://per.lacity.org/Accredited%20Institutions%2008-21-08.pdf .
• Candidates completing the examination process will be contacted by the Personnel Department to provide required proof of qualifying coursework. Applicants who wish to expedite this process may attach a copy of their transcripts (annotated with physics, chemistry, electricity, or electronics courses, credit earned, and grade received) to their on-line application at the time of filing in the Attachments section.

Application Deadline: From 8:00 a.m. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 to 11:59 p.m., THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026.

SELECTION PROCESS

Examination Weights:
Qualifying
Performance Test: 100%

The examination will consist of a qualifying multiple-choice test and a weighted performance test. The qualifying multiple-choice test will be administered and proctored on‑line, and the following competencies may be evaluated: Mathematics; Analytical Ability; Electrical Understanding; Interpersonal Skills; Safety Focus, including safety procedures and practices as required by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal-OSHA) when working with or around energized equipment and/or on ladders; Equipment Operation, including operation of electrical and electronic equipment such as electric meters, power transformers, and generators; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of: equipment and methods used to troubleshoot and/or test the functionality of electrical meters, relays, devices, instruments and equipment; professional standards related to electrical and electronic testing; hand and power tools used to calibrate, adjust, and repair electrical equipment, systems, and devices; 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 qualifying 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 qualifying 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 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 and THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2026, it is anticipated that the on‑line multiple-choice test will be administered between TUESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2027 and MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2027.

FAQs for on-line testing are available at https://per.lacity.org/faqs/employment-testing-process.html. Due to COVID-19 and social distancing requirements, only candidates who demonstrate a hardship may be offered 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 qualifying 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 at, above, or below 70%. Candidates must achieve a passing score on the qualifying multiple-choice test in order to be scheduled for the performance test.

The examination score will be based entirely on the performance test. In the performance test, the following competencies may be evaluated: Electrical Understanding; Physical Capability; Safety Focus, including safety procedures and practices as required by Cal-OSHA when working with or around energized equipment and/or on ladders; Job Knowledge, including knowledge of equipment and methods used to troubleshoot and/or test the functionality of electrical meters, relays, devices, instruments and equipment; Equipment Operation, including operation of electrical and electronic equipment such as watthour meters, power circuit breakers, and instrument transformers; and other necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to https://per.lacity.org/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under Electrical Test Technician.

NOTES

• This examination is based on a validation study.
• 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.
• Based on City policy, before being hired in one of these positions you may be required to undergo a drug and alcohol-screening test.
• You may take the Electrical Test Technician multiple-choice test only once every 18 months under this bulletin. If you have taken the Electrical Test Technician qualifying multiple-choice test within the last 18 months, you may not file for this examination at this time.
• Your name may be removed from the open competitive list after six (6) months.
• Your rank on the employment list may change as scores of candidates from other administrations of the examination are merged onto one list.
• A final average score of 70% or higher in the performance portion of the examination is required to be placed on the eligible list.

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

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