How to hire a substation operator apprentice

How to hire a substation operator apprentice, step by step

Here's a step-by-step substation operator apprentice hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a substation operator apprentice job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new substation operator apprentice
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a substation operator apprentice do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the substation operator apprentice you need to hire. Certain substation operator apprentice roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A substation operator apprentice's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, substation operators apprentice from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of substation operators apprentice.

   Type of Substation Operator Apprentice	Description	Hourly rate
   Substation Operator Apprentice	Power plant operators, distributors, and dispatchers control the systems that generate and distribute electric power.	$18-34
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Apprentice	An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures... Show more	$12-24

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • OSHA
   • Hand Tools
   • Safety Procedures
   • Cranes
   • Customer Inquiries
   • AC
   • Customer Service
   • Safety Inspections
   • Computer System
   • Gas Meters
   • Relocate
   • General Maintenance

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
   • Switch 13 kV , 26 kV , 46 kV , 161 kV , 500 kV equipment.
   • Provide expertise in weaponeering target system analysis, aim point selection and delivery tactics during exercises and combat employment.
   • Train by Siemans and ABB in GIS switching.
   • Analyze specifications and decide on tooling according to knowledge of shop mathematics, metal properties and machining procedures.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your substation operator apprentice job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A substation operator apprentice can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, substation operators apprentice' average salary in wyoming is 21% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level substation operators apprentice 47% less than senior-level substation operators apprentice.
   • Certifications. A substation operator apprentice with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a substation operator apprentice's salary.

   Average substation operator apprentice salary

   $52,670yearly

   $25.32 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level substation operator apprentice salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

   Average substation operator apprentice salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	New York	$60,129	$29
   2	Pennsylvania	$57,277	$28
   3	Connecticut	$55,914	$27
   4	Texas	$53,607	$26
   5	Arkansas	$51,221	$25
   6	Kansas	$51,089	$25
   7	Utah	$51,044	$25

   Average substation operator apprentice salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Pacifi	$95,972	$46.14	5
   2	The Dow Chemical Company	$94,109	$45.24	2
   3	BNY Mellon	$80,141	$38.53	3
   4	Molson Coors	$54,656	$26.28	3
   5	West Fraser	$48,228	$23.19	24
   6	Herriman City	$47,946	$23.05
   7	Hoosier Energy	$44,375	$21.33

4. Writing a substation operator apprentice job description

   A good substation operator apprentice job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a substation operator apprentice job description:

   Substation operator apprentice job description example

   ElectriCom, a Utility Construction company, was founded in 1960 in Paoli, Indiana. ElectriCom has experienced continuous growth since its inception. The company takes pride in focusing on family values both in the workplace and with its customer base. ElectriCom seeks employees with the ability and desire to work for a progressive company. ElectriCom offers a competitive package for both wages and benefits. Employees who show quality performance will have the opportunity for advancement and further development of skills.
   
   ElectriCom has partnered with Somerset Community College, Workforce Solutions, and the Utility Construction Technician Advisory Committee to offer the Utility Technician Apprenticeship Program through SCC. Training will be provided at both the Somerset SCC Campus and on-the-job training with ElectriCom. Multiple licenses/certifications to choose from: CDL License, OSHA 10-hr certification, Flagger certification, CPR certification. Guaranteed job placement with ElectriCom upon completion!
   RESPONSIBILITIES
   Attend Apprenticeship Trainings at SCC campus. Safely operate equipment such as directional drills, mini excavators, backhoes, and/or cable plows. Safely use various tools and equipment such as compressors, tampers, jack hammers, locators, etc. Flexible hours, including overtime. (overtime could be required) Location of job sites will dictate out of town travel. Must be willing to learn and grow with organization. Routine Training as assigned (LMS, OSHA - 10 hour, etc.). Roadside Traffic Control. Candidate will also be expected to interact with and communicate well with management, co-workers, and customers.
   COMPANY BENEFITS
   Competitive Benefit Package including Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage Health Savings Account (HSA) w/ Company Contributions & Match 401K w/ Company Match Company Paid Life & AD&D Insurance Company Paid Virtual Doctor Service through Teladoc Company Paid Long-Term Disability Company Paid Short-Term Disability after 3 years employment Additional Voluntary Life Insurance & Voluntary Short-Term Disability Vacation Time/PTO and Paid Holidays Paid weekly Per Diem Eligibility
   #TeamElectriCom
   
   Position Requirements
   
   Valid driver's license with clean driving record required. Ability to pass DOT physical for Medical Card. Willingness to obtain CDL during program (Employer Paid).
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer
   
   ElectriCom is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender, ethnicity, religion, national origin, ancestry, nationality, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or on any other basis prohibited by law (except where an attribute is a bona fide occupational qualification).
   
   PI193641928

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5. Post your job

   To find substation operators apprentice for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any substation operators apprentice they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level substation operators apprentice with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your substation operator apprentice job on Zippia to find and recruit substation operator apprentice candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit substation operators apprentice, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new substation operator apprentice

   Once you have selected a candidate for the substation operator apprentice position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a substation operator apprentice?