Job Descriptions
The Job that's Right for You
Read the following job descriptions to find a job that suits your work style and addresses your interests.
Arborist
Arborists clear trees and branches from around power lines. Their job is physically demanding and requires significant safety training to work around high-tension power lines. Arborists are especially busy following wind- and snowstorms and periods of freezing rain when uprooted or damaged trees cut off power to homes and businesses.
Construction electrician
Construction electricians wire refineries, petro-chemical plants, power plants and other buildings that are being built. They are also responsible for testing electrical equipment to ensure its safe and reliable operation. Good with their hands, construction electricians learn to interpret electrical diagrams, and splice and connect wires as apprentices.
Electrical engineer
Electrical engineers are university-educated professionals who typically work in offices designing, planning and sourcing power for homes, businesses and infrastructure. Electrical engineers have advanced mathematical skills and are capable of keen attention to detail.
Electrical technician
Electrical technicians continually use basic problem-solving and mathematics skills to install, test and maintain wires, switches and other electrical components in residential, industrial and commercial buildings. These workers train at community colleges and follow strict safety procedures.
Electrician
While typically trained in construction, electricians inspect, install and repair wiring in ready-built residential and commercial buildings. For the most part, electricians work indoors with little or no supervision.
Engineering technician
Often working in collaboration with engineers or scientists, engineering technicians solve practical technical problems, collect data, test electrical systems and help design and manufacture new products. These workers often work independently and in small teams.
Generation technician
Generation technicians install, inspect, diagnose and repair electrical generators and switchgear. Comfortable working under minimum supervision and with a variety of tools, these technicians also prepare written reports detailing the condition of—and repairs to—equipment.
Geothermal installer
Geothermal installers build systems that draw thermal energy from the ground to heat and cool residential and commercial buildings. On the cutting edge of environmentally friendly construction techniques, geothermal installers use their hands to bring detailed designs to life. They typically work independent of others in a casual environment.
Industrial electrician
Industrial electricians install, inspect and maintain wiring in factories, plants and mines. While their work can be dirty at times, these individuals work independently under little supervision and have the flexibility to work in both rural and urban environments.
Instrumentation and control technician
Instrumentation and control technicians are responsible for inspecting, maintaining and repairing instrumentation, electronics and electrical equipment. These detail-oriented shift workers have no need for a shirt and tie, as they wear protective plastic suits to perform their diagnostic and maintenance routines. An important part of a control technician's job is to record their observations and maintenance activities regularly. Instrumentation and control technicians may also be required to help train new team members.
Mechanical maintainer
Often working in close collaboration with others, mechanical maintainers help prevent undue wear-and-tear on mechanical equipment by oiling metal components, fixing leaks and repairing other minor problems. Mechanical maintainers work on a wide variety of machines and perform a diverse set of tasks.
Millwright (industrial mechanic)
Millwrights maintain and service wind turbines, milling machines and other mechanical equipment. Not afraid to get their hands dirty, millwrights calibrate and align machinery in a variety of work environments.
Nuclear engineer
Nuclear engineers typically work at desks researching and developing ways to generate and employ nuclear power and radiation. University educated, they have strong science, mathematics and problem-solving skills and enjoy working in small teams under little supervision.
Operator
Operators play an integral role in the monitoring and reporting activities associated with electricity production. They can be categorized as Nuclear Operator, Fossil Station Operator, Hydroelectric Operator and Electrical Operator. As an example, Nuclear operators monitor and adjust a facility's electricity production by checking instruments, panels and other system indicators, and managing boilers, turbines, generators and other equipment. These employees work in high-risk environments.
Photovoltaic designer (installer)
Photovoltaics is the conversion of solar energy into electricity. Photovoltaic designers develop systems that collect and store energy from the sun to power everything from homes and businesses to flashlights and cars. These workers apply their strong understanding of physics to develop reliable, practical and affordable renewable-energy-fuelled products.
Power line technician
Not afraid of heights, Power line technicians use their electrician training while working outdoors, inspecting and fixing poles, power lines, pylons, transformers, and transmission and distribution centres. Power line technicians enjoy working in small teams.
Project manager
Project managers ensure that company activities are performed on time and within budget. Attentive to detail, these workers have strong organizational skills and a clear understanding of the steps required to complete a given project. Continually coordinating the schedules, resources and talent of project contributors, project managers must be good communicators.
Truck (or coach) technician
Truck technicians are highly trained mechanics who service and maintain all types of vehicles and equipment, from bucket trucks to off-road vehicles. Truck technicians apprentice for five years to develop a keen understanding of how mechanical parts operate. Typically, these workers must be naturally good with their hands and capable of heavy lifting.
Wind-turbine technician
Currently in high demand, wind turbine technicians operate and maintain industrial electrical equipment on wind farms. These workers enjoy travelling to rural locations, and are comfortable working more than 60 metres above ground. Typically, wind-turbine technicians are high-school graduates who have some electrical or mechanical training.