Apprentice Substation Electrician
Work Location: Billings MT
Pay range: $34.94 per hour per CBA ($36.08 Effective June 01, 2025)
Employment Status: Regular Full-time
External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com
Internal candidates apply through iConnect.
About this position:
The Apprentice Substation Electrician works under the supervision of an Electrician or Journeyman Lineman and is responsible for installing, retiring, servicing, and maintaining substation equipment in the assigned territory. During this apprenticeship training, successful candidates will learn and progressively perform the responsibilities of a Substation Electrician.
We offer great benefits:
NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,500 amazing people and serve 775,300 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:
•401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
•Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
•Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)
•Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy, spouse, dependent insurance also available)
•Continued tuition reimbursement
•Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
•Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
•Paid training opportunities
•Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays
Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.
About this job:
•All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards
•Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives
•Responsible for the safe daily operation, maintenance, and construction of electric distribution and transmission substation facilities
•Perform those physical and mental requirements necessary to undertake a multi-step apprenticeship process designed to train the worker to safely and efficiently perform all aspects related to the Substation Electrician
•Satisfactorily complete a multi-step apprenticeship program to progress to qualified Journeyman Electrician status
•Communicate verbally and understand audible signals in emergency/safety situations
•Work overtime outside of scheduled hours, participating in either call out availability or an on-call rotation schedule, in response to acute and/ or planned service needs
•Work together as a team member to safely and efficiently complete work activities
•You must agree to live within an area approved by the company that allows for adequate response to our customers in call out and emergency situations
•Individually lift and manipulate needed equipment weighing up to 75 pounds
•Ability to travel up to 80% of the time. We have equipment all over the state (Travel consists of a mix of overnight and day trips. Apprentices may travel more than a Journeyman for training purposes)
Apprentice Duties The Apprentice performs these duties under the supervision of a qualified electrician/journeyman lineman and/or direct supervisor*
•Training in installing, maintaining, testing and repairing substation equipment, and associated high voltage equipment
•Learn to Install, retire, service, and maintain substation equipment
•Learn to repair and service, wire and test, and install and remove large electrical equipment
•Respond to after-hour situations involving distribution, transmission and substation problems and respond within a reasonable time
•Responsible for oil handling, testing, and record keeping (PCB and non-PCB)
•Responsible for work in the service territory assigned in Montana, but may be sent to other locations within NorthWestern Energy's service territory
•Required to adhere to NESC, MSHA, OSHA, and NorthWestern Energy safety rules
•Able to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions with exposure to electrical hazards
•Drive to installation/work locations
•Work with a goal to achieve Electrician status
Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile:
•High school diploma or equivalent
•Valid Commercial Driver's License required (Will allow up to 6 months to acquire)
•First Aid/CPR Certification
•Knowledge of applicable codes and safety
•Commitment to safe working practices and knowledge of safety policies/procedures
•Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
•Adapt to technological changes as they are implemented
•In addition to the above is the desire and commitment to dedicate oneself to a 4-year apprenticeship including classwork and homework on one's own time
Requisition #4697 Billings
Posting Dates: April 23, 2025 through May 4, 2025
Department/Division: Distribution Operations
Employment Physical: Required
Drug Test: Required
Background Check: Required
Relocation Benefit: None
Telecommuting: None
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at job.inquiries@northwestern.com.
Billings, MT
Full-time
$70,720-$74,880
