Electrical Assistant I

Job Description:

Electrical Assistant I

Description

Description

The Department
Palo Alto is the only city in California that offers a full array of utility services to its citizens and businesses. Because of this, the City has a unique opportunity to partner with the Palo Alto community to enjoy the benefits and achievements of reliable, home-grown, and environmentally-focused utilities. Palo Alto has a tradition of over 100 years of successful public utility operations. It is a tradition that continues to provide the Palo Alto community with safe and reliable utilities service, local decision-making over policies, utility rate-making, environmental programs, and customized services.

Career Opportunity

Join our team and start building a rewarding career in the electrical utility industry. In this hands-on role, you will work under the guidance of experienced professionals to support the construction, maintenance, and repair of critical electrical infrastructure.

In this role, you will assist Linepersons and Cable Splicers with overhead and underground construction crews with electrical system work, support the maintenance and repair of essential equipment, replace streetlight lamps, and work alongside Electricians on substations, traffic signals, coaxial, and fiber optic systems-all while performing related duties as needed. This position offers a strong entry point into the electrical utility field, providing valuable hands-on training, exposure to a variety of systems, and the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors, setting the foundation for long-term career growth in a stable, high-demand industry.

Embark on this rewarding career. Apply today!

Benefits: The City offers a fantastic benefits package that includes affordable healthcare plans, generous retirement packages, paid parental leave, convenient commuter programs , and more !
Compensation (SEIU): Comprehensive compensation plan. To learn more, click here .
Schedule: 9/80 work schedule (with every other Friday off).

This position is represented by Service Employee International Union position (SEIU).

This is a continuous recruitment and may remain open until filled.

Essential Duties

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists journeyperson in maintenance and construction of overhead and underground transmission and distribution systems.
• Assists journeypersons in installing and repairing underground cable systems and electrical meters; replacing streetlight bulbs; and ensuring proper connections of ballast terminals to prevent ballast damage, as well as related equipment.
• Receives direction for light replacement in verbal or written form; drives service truck, or other vehicle to area where re-lamping as required, keeping vehicle stocked for field needs; uses ladder or versalift to reach lighting devices and dismantles fixture to replace light bulbs.
• Assists journeyperson in installation, maintenance and construction of substations, traffic signals, COAX, and fiber optics systems.
• Requests assistance of a journeyperson when problems require journey-level technical knowledge.
• Maintains records of work completed and other related data.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of basic electricity, metering, and map reading.
• Knowledge of construction tools.
• Knowledge of materials and tools used in electrical systems installation, maintenance and repair.
• Knowledge of safe work practices.
• Ability to keep accurate records.
• Ability to work with tools of electrical trade
• Ability to operate a van, light truck or other motor vehicle.
• Ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include standing for extended periods of time and operating assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to communicate with others and to assimilate and understand information, in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Ability to operate assigned equipment.
• Ability to make sound decisions in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.

For the complete job description, click here

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Sufficient education, training and/or minimum one year work experience in the electric utility field to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a valid California Driver's License.
  

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements
Travel from site to site; exposure to high voltage; work at heights and below ground; moderate lifting; climbing and stooping; work in inclement weather conditions.

Supplemental Information

More than one position may be filled using this posting

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements:

Construction site environment; exposure to dust and loud machine noise; danger of heavy equipment; some climbing, stooping, and lifting; work in inclement weather conditions

The Selection Process:

• Applicants will receive recruitment status notifications via email. Governmentjobs.com account also has notification status updates.
• Applicants will be screened throughout the posting process and highly qualified candidates may be invited to interview at any time.
• The screening process for this position includes a panel interview and skills assessment preceding final interviews with the hiring manager or their designee.
• An eligible list may be established from this recruitment and used to fill future vacancies for up to six (6) months, or until the list has been exhausted.

Our online application system is provided byNeoGov. If you have problems while applying online, please contact NeoGov's Live Applicant Support at (855) 524-5627 between 6:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time, Monday - Friday.

The City of Palo Alto is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

See our Benefits at a Glance Bookletfor more details.
Learn more about our Memorandum of Agreements (MOAs) between the City and its bargaining units, by clicking HERE.

Closing Date/Time: 3/25/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$8,250.67 - $10,082.80 Monthly