Controls Apprentice

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric Company, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Control Apprentice receives formal and on-the-job training and experience to acquire knowledge and skills necessary to qualify for technical Controls work. The Apprentice performs duties related to using, installing, removing, replacing, servicing, testing, adjusting and repairing all types of electrical, electromechanical, electronic, microprocessor, and computerized devices, testing apparatus, instruments, control and protective relays, load and supervisory control systems, communications (for example, Power Line Carrier among others), electrical system switchgear controls, and other control equipment and circuitry used throughout West Penn Power system under guidance as a learning employee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

The following minimum qualifications and requirements must be met in order to obtain and retain this classification:

1. Knowledge and Skills:  Ability to meet job knowledge and skill requirements will be determined by company interviews. AS Electronics Technology or BS Electronics Engineering Technology degree preferred, or AAS degree in a science, technology or utility discipline minimum. Must have demonstrated aptitude for and skill in the performance of the duties of a Control Technician. Must pass the EEI Technician Occupations Selection System (TECH) test.
2. Safety:  Ability to work safely, follow safety rules and regulations, and meet first-aid requirements.
3. Physical:  Ability to climb and work off ladders in close quarters and perform physical work indoors and outdoors in all seasons.  Manual dexterity necessary to adjust and calibrate meters, instruments, relays, and other control equipment.  Must have vision corrected to 20-30 and pass color vision test.
4. Mental:  Mental ability to learn and perform the duties involved in the more complex control work.  Working knowledge of maintenance standards, company rules, regulations, methods, and routines as they apply to control work.
5. Clerical:  Ability to prepare legible and accurate records and reports.
6. Work Characteristics:  Meet company standards in regard to physical fitness, personal conduct and appearance, attendance, work performance, safety practices, and supervision required.
7. Special:  Possess a Pennsylvania motor vehicle operator's license and be able to safely operate motor vehicles.  Possess a knowledge of company standards and specifications for all types of meters, instruments, and relay installations. Must demonstrate a genuine interest in learning through individual and cooperative efforts the required duties of this classification.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Actively participate in and promote the FE Safety Philosophy, work safely to advance the FE Safety Vision, follow safe work practices and procedures.
2. With direction, performing high voltage switching required to install, maintain and modify controls equipment.
3. Work cooperatively with internal/external team members and customers.
4. Assisting in preparation of written procedures required for coordinating controls equipment additions or modifications and energizing new or modified substation equipment in non-EHV facilities.
5. Becoming familiar with FE Substation Maintenance practices inclusive of energizing new or modified substation equipment and periodic maintenance requirements.
6. Become familiar with system reliability standards as implemented by FE to address compliance with PENNSYLVANIA PUC, FERC, NERC, PJM, RFC and similar governing bodies.
7. With direction installing, testing, calibrating, maintaining, modifying, repairing, and documenting:
   • Protective relays, and other equipment associated with controls in substations and power stations.
   • Communication links for relay protection, telemetering, metering, load regulation, digital fault recorders, and certain voice communication.
   • Various system components, such as current transformers, potential transformers, coupling capacitors, relays, breakers, etc.
   • Control drawings for accuracy and make field changes to update or correct. 
   • Misoperations on lines and equipment.  Address equipment found to be out of calibration or unrepairable.  
   • Critical Infrastructure Protection equipment, facilities and networks that reside within FE Substations and other facilities. Maintain training requirements required by FE CIP guidelines.
   • Substation Integration Equipment inclusive of the Substation SCADA equipment and networks to ensure reliable data availability to FE System Operators and other independent System Operators.
   • Other various types of electronic/controls/monitoring equipment.
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Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Nonexempt, Bargaining Unit

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team