High Voltage Electrician (Apprentice)

About the role

As a High Voltage Electrician (Apprentice), you are expected to complete a 4-year training program that combines on-the-job training, classroom, and self-study training during off-duty hours designed to train, appraise, and develop the apprentice as they progress to become a fully competent Journeyman High Voltage Electrician.

This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants. See Additional Information section.

What you will do

• Work is both indoors and outdoors under all prevailing weather conditions during the day or night.
• Hazards include working around high voltage electrical equipment (69 kV and higher) and machinery with moving parts.
• Active climbing, lifting, working in strained positions.
• Work from ladders, scaffolds, and man-lift devices.
• May work from substation's support structures which requires the use of appropriate fall protection equipment.
• Install and repair equipment in confined and enclosed spaces.
• Regularly lift and carry items weighing 50 pounds or more.
• Works as a member of a crew.
• Requires overnight travel of 14 or more days per month.
• Full performance level installs, constructs, commissions, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs equipment in high voltage switchyards, substations, communication facilities and power operations centers.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• This employer participates in the e-Verify program.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Suitable for Federal employment, as determined by a background investigation.
• May be required to successfully complete a probationary/trial period.
• Employees serving on a probationary or trial period may be terminated at any time during the probationary or trial period for performance, conduct, or business-related reasons in the interest of Federal service.
• A Service Agreement of up to 2 years is required for this position.
• This position requires the ability to operate a Government vehicle.
• The incumbent must be at least 18 years of age, able to obtain and maintain Defensive Drivers certification and have a valid state driver's license.
• Defensive Driver's Training will be completed upon employment.
• The incumbent must be able to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) to operate vehicles of more than 26,000 pounds GVWR.
• The CDL must be obtained within 120 days of employment, or longer if outside the control of the employee.
• The incumbent must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required.
• The incumbent must wear Arc Rated protective clothing when in proximity to exposed energized circuits.
• The incumbent is subject to the random drug and alcohol testing program established by the Department of Energy.
• The position requires a pre-appointment and annual physical exam at Federal expense.
• The incumbent of this position is subject to inclement weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, sleet, snow, and extreme cold.
• This position may be subject to regular and recurring overtime.
• Overtime may be on short notice to include nights, holidays, and weekends in support of related mission requirements.
• This position requires the incumbent to climb structures averaging 65 feet in height.
• This position requires a climbing weight not to exceed 310 pounds with all required gear and personal weight without gear not to exceed 280 pounds.
• This position may require the incumbent to occasionally fly in a fixed wing aircraft or helicopter during the performance of assigned duties.
• The position may require nationally accredited crane certification for fixed and/or swing boom cranes.
• If so, training will be provided at Federal expense.

Education

For this position, education cannot be substituted for experience.

How you will be evaluated

This position is announced under a government-wide Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) for High Voltage Electrician positions in the 2810 series. Under the DHA, applicants who meet the Qualification requirements listed in this announcement will be referred for consideration.

Veteran's Preference, category rating, and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply under the DHA process. Appointments made under the DHA are processed as "new" appointments. Current Federal employees may be required to serve a new probationary period (5 CFR 315.802(b).

Successful candidates will possess the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics): Ability to Follow Oral Directions Ability to Use Prints and Drawings Aptitude and Interest for Learning Trade Theory and Practice Reliability and Dependability Career Transition Assistance Programs: If you are eligible for career transition assistance, such as ICTAP or CTAP, you must meet the Education and Qualification requirements to be referred for consideration.

You must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date (11/27/2026) of this announcement.

To preview the Assessment Questionnaire, click ***

Documents you must provide

• duties performed; full name and address of the each employer; start and end dates (month/day/year); work schedule (part-time, full-time, number of hours if intermittent); salary; and any completed education and training (program title, subject area, number of hours completed, and completion date).
• Career Transition Assistance Program/Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program documentation, if applicable (e.g., Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; SF-50 that documents the RIF separation action; and most recent performance appraisal.) For more information see the OPM Guide to Career Transition.
• Failure to submit any of the above mentioned required documents may result in loss of consideration due to an incomplete application package.
• It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents have been submitted.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated. You can check the status by logging into USAJOBS.

You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your application changes by logging into your USAJobs Account and editing the Notification Settings. You will be contacted directly if an interview is required.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional similar vacancies across DOE. This open and continuous announcement establishes a standing register of eligible applicants. Applications received by 09/18/2026 will be considered for the first referral.

Applications received after 09/18/2026, but by 10/19/2026, will be considered for the second referral. Applications received after 10/19/2026, but by 11/27/2026, will be considered for the final referral. The selectee for this position may be eligible to receive a recruitment or relocation incentive.

You will need to sign an employment agreement to be eligible for this incentive. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) costs are not authorized. This position may be eligible for creditable service towards annual leave.

Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. DOE may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. Salary varies depending on location of the position.

Status and Non-Status applicants from outside DOE selected under this authority are required to serve a mandatory one (1) year probationary period.

A DOE career status employee selected for this position may be required to serve a new one (1) year probationary period, pursuant to 5 CFR 315.802.