Apprenticeships

Line Electrician Apprentice

Performs apprentice-level work under the direction of journey-level line electricians in the construction, maintenance and repair of electrical overhead and underground distribution and transmission systems.

• Requires more overtime hours than other professions.
• Includes working outdoors in adverse weather.

Examples of duties: Prepare and set line poles and guy wires; repair or replace damaged or decayed poles; select and install cross-arms, insulators, cutouts, switches, lightning arrestors, and other devices on wood poles and steel structures; install transformers, transformer banks, and related connections on poles.

View physical ability requirements here.

Wire Electrician Apprentice

Performs apprentice-level work under the direction of journey-level wire electricians in constructing, maintaining, and repairing electrical substations and underground vaults.

Examples of duties include wiring, maintaining, and repairing substations; preparing switchboard panels; installing transformers; and connecting and disconnecting ammeters, voltmeters, relays, switches, lights, or other equipment and apparatus.

View physical ability requirements here.

Meter and Relay Technician Apprentice

Performs apprentice-level work under the direction of journey-level meter technicians in the testing, repairing, calibrating, and installing of meters and electrical and electronic support equipment.

Examples of duties include: Assisting in testing, calibrating, and repairing electrical and electronic test equipment; testing, calibrating, repairing, and installing auxiliary metering devices, such as totalizers, pulse initiators, transformers, loss compensators, survey recorders, multifunction meters, and other equipment.

Electrical Trainee Program

Salary: $33.99 hourly

Participate in a paid, intensive on-the-job electrical training program for up to 12 months. We aim to broaden and diversify our pool of qualified candidates and provide you with the essential knowledge and experience needed to apply for and compete for our apprenticeship programs.

Click here to download the Electrical Trainee Program flyer.

Click here to review FAQs.

How to Apply

Who Can Apply

Applicants must have:

• A valid driver’s license
• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Completion of a high school-level algebra course
• Knowledge of Basic Electricity, including Ohm’s Law, AC/DC Theory, and Parallel & Series Circuits
  • Tacoma Power offers a free, optional Basic Electricity Course.

Tacoma Power's Basic Electricity

• Minimum of six months of experience in the electrical or construction trades, OR completion of a formalized vocational training program in a related field.
  • Work Experience is defined as using basic tools such as a hammer, wrench, and various equipment.
  • Construction trades experience may include plumbing, ironwork, carpentry, etc.
• Apprentice Line and Wire Electrician jobs also have minimum physical ability requirements (see below).

Click here to download our Power Apprenticeships program brochure.

How to apply

When Tacoma Power hires apprentices or electrical trainees, it posts positions through the City of Tacoma job posting website.

The City generally establishes a civil service eligibility list each year. The City typically posts apprenticeship openings in late January or early February.

To stay informed:

1.  Visit the City of Tacoma jobs website and search for current openings.
2. Complete the job interest card to receive notifications about future opportunities
3. Apply through the official job posting when an apprenticeship or trainee position opens.

Do not email a resume to Tacoma Power. Submit resumes through the City of Tacoma application process to be considered.

Questions about the program?

Questions about Tacoma Power apprenticeships or the electrical trainee program?

Email TPowerApprentice@tacoma.gov

Water Utility Worker role and pay

Range: $34.58 to $39.29

A Water Utility Worker performs semi-skilled manual labor assisting in the installation, maintenance, and repair of water supply and distribution facilities and systems. They operate a variety of equipment and machinery which includes frequent heavy lifting in all types of weather.

Examples of duties: Installing, maintaining, and repairing pipes, meter yokes, meters, meter boxes, gate valves, fire hydrants, concrete vaults, and other water system components.

Physical ability requirements for water workers

The physical ability test is just one part of what we need from someone who wants to become a Water Utility Worker. It’s important to understand that passing or even achieving maximum scores here doesn’t guarantee success in the job setting, but it’s a good start to know where your current strength lands. Here are the physical requirements you need to be able to perform:

1. Upright row (lifting 45lbs): You need to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, arms straight, and keep your posture straight while holding the weight bar. Lift the bar to your breastbone with your elbows higher than your wrist, and then lower it back to a straight arm position.  

• Maximum: 23
• Standard: 16
• Minimum: 11

2. Squats (100lbs): you need to stand with a straight posture while a pad rests comfortable on your shoulders, with feet sanding shoulder-width apart. Bend at the knees until your thighs are parallel to the ground, then stand once again.  

• Maximum: 17
• Standard: 11
• Minimum: 6

3. Shoulder press (45lbs): Shoulder Press (45lbs) You need to sit with your hands as shoulder-width apart while keeping your posture straight. The bar starts in front of your shoulders and you need to push it directly overhead until you extend your arms. Then, bring it back to your shoulder level.

• Maximum: 15
• Standard: 9
• Minimum: 4

4. Aerobic bicycle test

This test determines your stamina. You need to pedal at 50 RPM for 3 stages of 2 – 3 minutes. Each stage will get more difficult, with each increasing its resistance by 50-75 watts.