Industrial Utility Electrician II - Austin Water

Careers In Government, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 54,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid leave time

Retirement plan

Training opportunities

Retention bonus up to $3,000

Job summary

The City of Austin, through Austin Water, is seeking an Industrial Utility Electrician II to perform journeyman-level electrical repairs and installations within industrial utility facilities and remote locations.

You will diagnose and repair 2.5KV to 15KV equipment, read schematics, coordinate outages, and work in high–voltage environments. Strong safety practices and documentation are essential.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two years of journeyman-level electrical experience or one year with related utility experience.
• Must possess a valid State of Texas Electrical Journeyman License and a Texas Class C Driver License.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex electrical diagnostics, maintenance, and repairs on 1000V to 15KV equipment and motor controls.
• Coordinate 15KV switching and outages with utilities; respond to emergencies and overtime as needed.
• Read and modify blueprints and schematics; maintain records in CMMS systems.

Skills

Electrical theory

Blueprint reading

Safety procedures

Troubleshooting

Team leadership

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Texas Electrical Journeyman License

Tools

CMMS

Diagnostic tools

Job description

Job Description

AUSTIN WATER

For over 100 years, Austin Water has been committed to providing safe, reliable, high-quality, and affordable water services to our customers. Today, we serve over 1 million people in the Austin metropolitan area, spanning more than 548 square miles.

The utility draws water from the Colorado River into three regional water treatment plants, Handcox, Davis, and Ullrich, which have a combined capacity of 335 million gallons per day.

Austin Water has two wastewater treatment plants, Walnut Creek and South Austin Regional, that can receive up to 150 million gallons per day of sewage to treat. Wastewater is cleaned into high-quality effluent that is safely returned to the Colorado River to augment environmental flows. More than a billion gallons of this high-quality effluent are reclaimed annually for outdoor irrigation, industrial cooling, manufacturing, and other purposes.

Austin Water consistently ranks among the best in the country for water quality. We also treat, return, and recycle wastewater in ways that protect environmental resources. At all water and wastewater treatment plants, Austin Water far exceeds federal and state requirements for clean water and environmental compliance.

Industrial Utility Electrician II

Purpose:

• Under general supervision, this position performs journeyman-level electrical repairs and installations on 1000V to 15KV motors and motor controls, 15KV substation switchgear and electrical distribution systems, and lighting systems within industrial utility facilities and remote locations.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities:

• Performs complex electrical diagnostics, calibrations, maintenance, and repairs on 2.5KV to 15KV substation switchgears, distribution equipment, protective relays, breakers, battery banks and capacity trip systems.
• Performs complex diagnostics, maintenance, and repairs on 1000V to 15KV motors and motor control systems, using schematics, vibration analysis, multimeter, amp probe, megohmmeter, surge tester, and hand tools.
• Performs complex diagnostics, maintenance, and repairs on various types of process control systems related to treatment plant or other utility facilities.
• Repairs and installs electrical distribution equipment, including but not limited to conduit, conductors, breakers, panel boards, disconnects, transformers, switches, and receptacles.
• Repairs and retrofits various lighting systems including building lighting, area lighting, streetlights, ballasts, bulbs, capacitors, igniters, contactors, and photocells using bucket truck as needed.
• Performs preventative maintenance on all electrical equipment for treatment plant, utility, or remote location facilities while adhering to the utility’s standard operating procedures and safety protocols.
• Coordinates 15KV switching for maintenance repairs and power outages with electrical utility providers and utility facilities during electrical outages or planned switching.
• Participates in on-call program and scheduled or unscheduled overtime.
• Maintains records of electrical maintenance activities using various software applications such as CMMS.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

May be responsible for leading utility crews and training other Utility Electricians.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical equipment and instruments.
• Knowledge of the laws, theories, rules, and standards pertaining to electrical construction and maintenance, including maintenance and repair of electrical substation and utility distribution systems.
• Knowledge of principles of electrical theory as applied to transformers, switches, and equipment.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of process and procedures for transformer connections and phasing transformers banks.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, City practices, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in planning and organizing.
• Skill in using computers and related software.
• Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program while driving personal and City of Austin vehicles on official business.
• Ability to use power line electrician's tools and equipment in performing all phases of line construction, operations, and maintenance work.
• Ability to read, interpret, and modify blueprints, schematics, diagrams, and drawing control circuits.
• Ability to safely perform operations and maintenance tasks in confined areas among high-voltage energized lines.
• Ability to function as confined space entry supervisor.
• Ability to respond quickly and perform strenuous work under emergency and in all weather conditions.
• Ability to train others on the job.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other City employees and the general public.
• Ability to select and operate proper air ventilation equipment based on readings from atmospheric monitors, in compliance with Utility Confined Space Entry Policy or Procedures.
• Ability to work in environments, which may have hazardous atmospheres.
• Ability to perform maintenance tasks that require climbing to heights of up to 200 feet on ladders that support up to 300 pounds.
• Ability to work in confined spaces where there is limited or restricted means for entry and exit, or where the work activities may be hindered by energized equipment and electrical voltage.
• Ability to perform maintenance tasks in confined spaces up to 100 feet deep and requiring the use of SRL Body Harness that supports 300 pounds.
• Ability to perform maintenance tasks that require lifting or carrying equipment or supplies weighing up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus two (2) years of experience in all phases of work as a journeyman-level electrician installing, diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing medium-voltage electrical systems such as 5KV to 15KV distribution equipment, motor controls, facility building equipment, and lighting systems in permanent building structures or industrial facilities.

OR

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus one (1) year of directly related utility experience in all phases of work as a journeyman-level electrician, working at voltages of 1000V to 15KV installing, troubleshooting, and repairing a variety of electrical machinery and equipment in permanent building systems, power generation plants, utility facilities, treatment plants, or industrial facilities. Experience must include commercial or industrial wiring, installing and repairing electrical conduit systems, and troubleshooting industrial motor control systems, mechanical motor starters, soft starters, and variable frequency drives.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Must possess a valid State of Texas Electrical Journeyman License.
• A valid Texas Class C Driver License.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge, training, and experience performing installations, maintenance, and diagnostics on 600v-5kv class motors and motor controls, switchgear and 15kv class electrical distribution systems.
• Experience working with solid state devices used in the operations of substation distribution equipment and process/motor control systems.
• Experience working in a water utility or similar industrial environment.
• Experience working on energized electrical power systems.
• Basic computer skills.

Notes to Candidate:

This position will perform apprentice-level electrical diagnostics on motors and motor controls, substation switch-gear and electrical distribution systems, and lighting systems within Austin Water process facilities.

Pay Range:

$39.34 - $45.51 per hour

Position(s) will be filled at the following location:

South Service Center (3616 South 1st St., Austin, TX 78704)

The incumbent in this position may be asked to report to one or more of the following locations:

• Lift Stations
• Various locations
• Hornsby Bend Biosolids Plant 2210 S. FM 973, Austin, TX 78725
• South Austin Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant 1017 Fallwell Lane, Austin TX, 78717
• Walnut Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant 7113 FM 969, Austin, TX 78724
• Davis Water Treatment Plant 3500 W. 35th Street, Austin, Texas 78703
• Water Treatment Plant 4 6800 North F. M. 620, Austin, Texas 78732
• Ullrich Water Treatment Plant 1000 Forest View Dr., Austin, Texas 78746
• Pump Stations & Reservoirs - South Service Support Center 3616 S. First St., Austin, Texas 78704

Work location and shift assignment for candidates selected will be determined based on business need and is subject to change at management’s discretion.

Days and Hours:

Monday through Friday: 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Benefits:

Working with Austin Water provides a number of health and welfare benefits, such as medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more.

Retention Incentive Bonus:

• May be eligible for an Incentive Bonus of up to $3,000!
• $500 after 90 days.
• $500 after 180 days.
• $1,000 after 1 year.
• $1,000 after 2 years.

Technical Licensure:

• This position requires the employee to hold a valid State of Texas Electrical Journeyman License or higher.
• To determine your eligibility, please review the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Guidelines.

Driving Requirement:

This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Work Environment:

This position is in a heavy industrial setting and requires performing all duties associated with operating heavy equipment outdoors in all weather conditions including extreme heat, cold and rain. This position will include cross training in operations of various equipment. Position will require adaptability and willingness to change or modify workload on demand and multitask. Position requires working in environments which may have hazardous situations.

Physical Requirements:

• This position will require that you be able to perform the following essential job functions with confidence and with or without reasonable accommodations: carrying or lifting up to 50 lbs., pushing or pulling up to 50 lbs., sitting, standing, walking, lying, climbing stairs and ladders, reaching overhead, kneeling, crawling, stooping/bending, twisting, repetitive foot and hand movement, driving, grasping and squeezing, exposure to extreme weather conditions, atmospheric conditions, hazardous conditions, and very loud noise.

Confined-Space Entry Requirements:

• Candidates must be able to work in environments which may have hazardous atmospheres, or in confined spaces where there is limited or restricted means for entry and exit, or where the activities of an employee are hindered.

Climbing Requirements:

Candidates must be able to perform duties with confidence at sites where climbing heights of up to 200 feet is required on ladders that support weight as designated by work area.

Pre-Employment Testing Requirements:

• Selected candidates will be required to complete and pass a pre-employment physical exam to be considered for this position, which includes a Functional (FC) strength/agility test.

Essential Employee:

• This has been designated as an Essential Employee position. In the event of a City-designated emergency, Essential Employees provide services that impact the public health, safety, utility services, and welfare of members of the Austin community and other employees and ensure the continuity of essential operations. In such an emergency, Essential Employees may be called back in, may be required to modify their schedule, may be assigned to a City-designated work site, or may be retained on site to assist with operations and recovery.

Secondary Employment:

• All Austin Water employees are prohibited from accepting or engaging in any secondary employment that might conflict or interfere with an employee’s duty and responsibility to the Department.
• Austin Water will review all secondary employment.
• Employees are required to submit a Secondary Employment Application for review and approval upon being hired with Austin Water, as well as current Austin Water employees considering secondary employment.

90-day Provision:

This posting may be used to fill additional vacancies that occur within the department.

All Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free.

Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lots, garages or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

JOIN THE CITY OF AUSTIN TEAM

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer-we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles - Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity - that anchor our delivery of services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee.

What Makes the City of Austin Special?

• Make a Difference : Join a team driving meaningful change in one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation.
• Value and Innovation : Work in an environment where employees are valued, and innovation thrives.
• Competitive Benefits : Enjoy a comprehensive compensation package that includes generous leave, work-life balance programs, and extensive benefits.
• Retirement Security : Plan for the future with the City of Austin Employees' Retirement System.
• Sustainable Transportation Options : Commute easily with access to public transit and bike-friendly infrastructure.
• Focus on Wellness : Stay healthy through wellness programs, on-site fitness centers, and mental health support.
• Career Growth : Advance your skills and expertise with professional development and leadership opportunities.
• Modern Workspaces : Work in innovative and sustainable environments that foster collaboration and inspiration.

By joining us, you become part of a community that values its people and is committed to making Austin the most thriving and resilient city in the country.

EEO Statement for City of Austin:

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual's AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call [phone] or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-11-02