Power Plant Electrician Apprentice/Journey Level

Colorado Springs Utilities is hiring a Power Plant Electrician Apprentice. This is 5 5-year paid apprenticeship program that will prepare you to perform skilled activities in the installation, calibration, testing, troubleshooting, and repair of electrical equipment up to 13800 volts. Equipment includes breakers, motors, generators, protective relays, PLCs, VFDs, and motor starters.

The “home base” for this role will be the Nixon Power Plant at 6598 Ray Nixon Road off I-25, exit 125, but you will be required to travel to all other power plants throughout the city as business needs arise. Our energy portfolio consists of a 2 on 1 combined cycle, one coal-fired steam turbine, three natural gas steam turbines, two combustion turbines, six aero-derivatives, six hydro-generators, and one air injection plant.  

As a Power Plant Electrician Apprentice, you will learn to:

• Install, repair, calibrate, and maintain all electrical equipment associated with a Power Plant, including: 480 MCCs, 4160 switchgear, electronic and mechanical protective relaying, electric motors, circuit breakers, motor starters, AC and DC control circuits, PLC, VFDs, and station batteries
• Use test equipment such as volt meters, amp meters, insulation testers, motor winding analyzers, power analyzers, oscilloscopes, relay test sets, battery testing, and breaker test sets
• Read blueprints, drawings, and schematics
• Document findings and solutions, establish work processes 
• Use computer hardware and software applications to support your role

Additional requirements and considerations: 

• While an Apprentice at Colorado Springs Utilities, you are not eligible to apply to any other positions at Colorado Springs Utilities
• This position is part of a formal Department of Labor (DOL) apprenticeship program within the Power Plant Electrician trade. As such, pay for this position will begin at the entry level unless previous apprenticeship documentation is provided and approved
• A respirator fitness and hearing test is required annually by the Colorado Springs Utilities Medical facility
• This position is subject to emergency callouts, overtime as required, and scheduled standby availability

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• Exerts 50-100 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or 25-50 lbs. of force frequently, and/or 10-20 lbs. of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Medium Work.
• Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

Who You Are:
Most people in this position will have a completed high school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.) and may have at least 1 year of general electrical maintenance experience. The ideal candidate will have Basic knowledge of mathematics, algebra, and/or trigonometry, and knowledge of basic hand tools and practice, and may have completed an electrical apprenticeship training and safety program. The individual will be a flexible and adaptable team player. Successful candidates will be self-directed and motivated to advance through the program by obtaining the required knowledge, on-the-job training, scheduling evaluations, and passing the written testing requirements along the way

A Valid unrestricted Driver's License is required for this position  

*This position is part of a formal apprenticeship program within the Power Plant Electrician Apprentice trade. As such, pay for this position will begin at $32.69/hour and will progress throughout the duration of the apprenticeship based on the schedule below. Previous Power Plant Apprentice training pay can be adjusted based on experience with documented paperwork. You may expect a pay increase after completing each step of the program (10-step program/6 months on average per step). After successfully completing the apprenticeship program, your turnout rate as a Journey-level Electrician will be $54.49/hr.

Apprentice pay schedule:

• Step 1 - $32.69/hr. (1st year)
• Step 2 - $34.87/hr. (1st year)
• Step 3 - $37.05/hr. (2nd year)
• Step 4 - $39.23/hr. (2nd year)
• Step 5 - $41.41/hr. (3rd year)
• Step 6 - $43.59/hr. (3rd year)
• Step 7 - $45.77/hr. (4th year)
• Step 8 - $47.95/hr. (4th year)
• Step 9 - $50.13/hr. (5th year)
• Step 10 - $52.31/hr. (5th year)
• Journey Level Turnout - $54.49/hr.

**This position can be hired as a journey-level position if there is documentation of completion of the DOL program in Industrial Electrical Maintenance

Who We Are...

• One of the largest four-service public utilities in the nation, Colorado Springs Utilities provides water, wastewater, electric, and natural gas services to 500,000 residents in the Pikes Peak region. Our work culture is dedicated to innovation, collaboration, and synergy, and we are a national leader in reliability, with power on an average of 99.991% of the time. In fact, we were recently awarded the Diamond Designation from the American Public Power Association for having some of the highest ratings in reliability, safety, workforce development, and system improvements among the nation’s 2,000+ public utilities.
• Nestled at the base of the Rocky Mountains, Colorado Springs is the perfect blend of mountain and city living. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, you will enjoy nature at its finest while residing in the sixth most desired place to live in the United States (U.S. News & World Report, 2021).

Our Commitment to Our Employees:
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities.  They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving.  We do not just say people are important – we prove it!  That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
  • Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
  • Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
  • Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
  • Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
  • Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire 
• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month.  Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
• Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Vision – A voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
• Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement
• Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program