How to hire a switch gear technician

How to hire a switch gear technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step switch gear technician hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The switch gear technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect switch gear technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of switch gear technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Switch Gear Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Switch Gear Technician	Electrical and electronics installers and repairers install or repair a variety of electrical equipment in telecommunications, transportation, utilities, and other industries.	$13-21
   Power Generation Equipment Repairer	Power generation equipment repairers must have a high school diploma or GED as well as mechanical aptitude, job shop experience, and experience with handheld power tools. Those who choose this career path will conduct maintenance on tactical utilities, power generation sets, internal combustion engines and equipment associated with these.	$16-30
   Electrical Maintenance Technician	An electrical maintenance technician is primarily in charge of installing and repairing electrical systems. Their responsibilities often revolve around liaising with clients to identify their needs, examining electrical damages or defects on houses or establishments, troubleshooting, and performing fixes and replacements as needed... Show more	$22-36

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Visual Inspections
   • CNC

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
   • Fill out appropriate forms to repair any defects in accordance with FAA regulations and repair manual.
   • Recommend and initiate modification and replacement of equipment that fail to meet acceptable operating standards, base on Doble test results.
   • Participate in Kaizen events so to ensure continuous improvement within manufacturing operation.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, switch gear technicians' average salary in florida is 31% less than in vermont.
   • Seniority. Entry-level switch gear technicians 34% less than senior-level switch gear technicians.
   • Certifications. A switch gear technician 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 switch gear technician's salary.

   Average switch gear technician salary

   $36,468yearly

   $17.53 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level switch gear technician salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 8, 2025

4. Writing a switch gear technician job description

   A good switch gear technician 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 switch gear technician job description:

   Switch gear technician job description example

   PRIMARY FUNCTION: Work on industry specific backup power generation and all ancillary equipment including switch gear, unit substations, transformers, etc.. This position will work especially close with the Engineering and Sales team.
   RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   Manage all aspects of critical power systems installation, start-up and commissioning.
   Available for foreign and domestic travel
   Perform diagnostic and repair procedures on all systems including PLCs, AC/DC, and switch gears.
   Perform scheduled maintenance on electric power generation equipment including transfer switches and switchgear
   Coordinate with partnered service suppliers, specifically engine manufacturers
   Coordination with installing electrical contractors.
   Oversee correction of issues arising from commissioning
   Familiarity with data centers preferred.
   Thorough knowledge of data center structured cabling solutions, Category 6 and pre-terminated fiber optic installations.
   General knowledge of Data Center network architecture with applicable hardware/electronics.
   Ability to update and maintain Excel spreadsheets for cross-connect assignments for all cabling infrastructure, as well as inventory management
   Familiarities with protective relay functionality and HRG systems.
   Any other tasks as assigned by Manager, Engineer, or Sales.
   
   POSITION QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Minimum Education
   
   Experience with diesel generators to 2800KW, 13.8kV
   Experience with generator paralleling/utility switchgear at 13.8kV level.
   A high school degree is required and some college or technical school is a plus.
   Solid understanding of basic generator and electrical distribution principles
   Excellent written and verbal communication skills
   Ability to initiate, prioritize, and accomplish multiple tasks independently
   Work well with others that come from an eclectic background
   Experience and have strong proficiencies with Microsoft Office and Adobe
   Self-Motivated with a willingness and flexibility to operate outside of normal business hours, including travel if necessary.
   
   Minimum Work Experience
   
   A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the field of power generators, compressors, and load banks.
   
   Minimum Prerequisites
   
   Must have a valid driver's license and the ability to travel inside and outside of the country. Overnight travel will be common. Long term projects will occur several times a year where the intention would be no longer than 14 days per assignment without home time.
   
   PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL
   
   RESPONSIBILITIES/CHARACTERISTICS
   
   General skill requisites
   Strong selling skills.
   Good communications skills.
   Excellent customer relations skills.
   Good computer and systems knowledge.
   Specific skill requisites
   A good working knowledge of sales techniques and methodologies.
   Solid equipment and parts knowledge.
   Sales training in related fields.
   Product knowledge including features and benefits knowledge on all items sold.
   Good communications skills.
   Good, safe work habits.
   
   WORK CONDITIONS
   
   CPS&S promotes a smoke-free and drug-free work environment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right switch gear technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your switch gear technician job on Zippia to find and recruit switch gear technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit switch gear technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 switch gear technician

   Once you've selected the best switch gear technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new switch gear technician first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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