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Maintenance Electrician Job Description

maintenance electrician job description

Are you looking for a way to use your technical skills and knowledge to bring home the bucks?

Well, if you have strong analytical skills, working as a maintenance electrician could be the perfect option. They mainly focus on performing regular maintenance and repair of electrical systems.

This role offers a lot of room for career advancement and setting your own work schedule. While you have to report to supervisors, you get to work alone a lot of the time.

So, let’s take an in-depth look at a typical maintenance electrician job description and the skills you need to do the job.

maintenance electrician job description

Maintenance Electrician Job Description

Maintenance electricians are mainly responsible for diagnosing and repairing problems with electrical equipment. The job description is usually created by a company in the industrial, commercial, or residential sector. They will be searching for an electrical expert who can use diagnostic tools to locate issues quickly.

The job description will usually state that the candidate is needed to work a nine-to-five shift. However, graveyard shifts are not uncommon in some cases. Depending on the place of employment, you will either be required to work alone or in a small team.

Read more: General Laborer Job Description

Maintenance Electrician Duties and Responsibilities

The duties and responsibilities you are given will vary with different locations and on different days. However, there are some specific duties that all maintenance electricians need to fulfill.

Maintaining Electrical and Mechanical Systems

You will need to perform regular maintenance on all existing systems. You will also be expected to design maintenance schedules for the systems to keep them functioning properly.

Analyzing and Documenting Test Results

You will need to regularly test systems and analyze the test results. Look for irregularities and keep a careful log of any that you find.

Diagnosing the Root Cause of Electrical Malfunctions

When electrical malfunctions occur, you need to be able to work out what caused them. This will help you to find the best solution for the problem. Once this has been done, the problem will be much easier to fix.

Installing and Repairing Cables and Wiring

You need to have the manual dexterity to install cables and wires precisely. When these cables and wires are faulty, you also need to be able to replace them quickly and accurately.

Other typical maintenance electrician duties include:

  • Replacing faulty wiring, breakers, and switches
  • Training junior electricians
  • Tracking inventory
  • Writing cost analysis reports
  • Following safety regulations
  • Developing and implementing maintenance plans
  • Performing tests

Key Maintenance Electrician Skills

This is a technical job that requires technical skills and knowledge. However, there are also certain soft skills that a maintenance electrician needs to have. Let’s take a closer look at these skills and how they will help you in your career.

Analytical Skills

You need to have strong analytical skills to understand test results. Be able to analyze the data from routine maintenance and identify potential malfunctions. And then use your analytical skills post-repair to work out whether the repair fixed the problem.

Attention to Detail

There is little room for error when you are making repairs to electrical systems. You need to be able to focus on the task and have a steady hand.

Communication skills

You need to have strong written and verbal skills to write reports and explain issues to your supervisor. Explain complex electrical issues to your client in a way they can understand. This requires strong communication skills and the ability to relate to the client.

Other important maintenance electrician skills include:

  • Knowledge of schematics and blueprints
  • Mechanical skills
  • Critical thinking
  • The ability to focus on small details
  • Customer service
  • Leadership skills
  • Competency with power tools

the maintenance electricians job description

Tools Of The Trade

As a maintenance electrician, you need to work with a range of different tools. It is essential to be familiar with them and know which is the right tool for a particular task. You will also be responsible for keeping the necessary tools properly maintained.

Diagnostic tools

You need to be able to use a range of diagnostic tools to work out the problem with an electrical system. These tools include voltage meters, thermal scanners, ammeters, and cable testers.

Hand and power tools

This includes screwdrivers, drills, conduit blenders, and saws. It is important to be able to use these tools well and know which ones to use for different tasks. You also need to be able to use wire strippers and other stripping tools to remove electrical wiring.

Protective gear

It is essential to keep your hands, eyes, and other parts of your body protected while you work. If you are working on a construction site, you will need to wear a hard hat at all times. You may also need to wear safety glasses and fire-resistant clothing.

Maintenance Electrician Education And Training

You need to have a high school diploma or the equivalent to train as a maintenance electrician. After graduating from high school, there are certain steps you need to take to become qualified. Let’s take a closer look at the education and training you need to complete.

Complete an Apprenticeship

You need to have at least three years of experience to work as a maintenance electrician. The best way to get this is to join an apprenticeship program. This will provide you with a combination of hands-on training and classroom learning.

You usually need to complete around two thousand hours of paid on-the-job training. As a new apprentice, you would complete basic tasks while being supervised by a qualified electrician. Both the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers as well as the National Electrical Contractors Association offer a range of apprenticeship programs.

Licensing

You also need to obtain a license before you can work as a maintenance electrician. To obtain licensure, you need to complete an exam, show that you have work experience, and complete a license application. Depending on the state you work in, your license needs to be renewed every two or three years.

Advance Your Career by Continuing Education

If you want to earn a higher salary and take on more interesting projects, continuing education is essential. You need to make sure you are aware of any changes to the National Electric Code and the latest electrical systems. You might also need to continue your education to renew your license.

The Working Environment

Maintenance electricians are employed by all major companies that have electrical systems. This can include large apartment complexes, resorts, offices, and hotels. You might also be required to work in a factory, warehouse, or construction site. Your duties will tend to vary slightly depending on the location.

Most maintenance electricians work during the daytime during the week. However, your job may require you to be on call at least some of the time. This may mean having to work on weekends and at night to get the power back on in emergencies.

How About A Job In Energy Or Construction?

Firstly, for alternative job ideas, take a look at our Best Jobs For College Students, or even our 20 Part Time Jobs That Pay More Than 20 Per Hour and 15 Part Time Jobs That Pay More Than 40 Per Hour. And to be clear on what the difference is, check out our Part Time And Full Time Hours. Next is my Best Paying Jobs In Energy if you’re looking for further options.

To better understand what your positions would entail is our Electrician Apprentice Job Description and our Electrician Job Description. As well as applications for energy companies such as Nicor Gas Application, Consolidated Edison Application, ComEd Application, ABM Application, and Duke Energy Application to choose from.

Other outdoor work you enjoy is construction; our Construction Worker Job Description, Construction Superintendent Job Description, or Construction Laborer Job Description can help you decide if it would suit you. We also have our Halliburton Construction Application and our KBR Construction Application in 2023.

Lastly, to help ace your EEI exams, we recommend reading up on the Technician Occupations Selection System Secrets Study Guide: TECH Exam Review and Practice Test for the EEI, as well as the CAST Exam Secrets Study Guide – In-depth Exam Review and CAST Practice Test for the Construction and Skilled Trades Test, or the CAST Exam Practice Questions, the SASS Exam Secrets Study Guide: Review and Practice Test for the EEI Support all available online today.

Final Thoughts

You need to undergo special training to work as a maintenance electrician. However, the time and dedication are sure to pay off with a great salary and a wide range of benefits.

The average salary for a maintenance electrician is $30 per hour. Although, the state that you live in has an impact on how much you can earn. The highest salaries can be found in Hawaii, Illinois, and Alaska. You also receive a special benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance as well as paid time off.

All the very best with your Maintenance Electrician Job!

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