Meter Technician Apprentice

Source:    BC Hydro
Job Title:   Meter Technician Apprentice

Job Location:  Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, V3W 3J6

Hourly Rate:  $ 35.95

Number of Positions:  3

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Providing clean electricity to 4 million customers takes a diverse workforce and that’s where you come in. We need your talent to help us build major projects to meet growing demand. To help our customers find clean energy solutions for their homes and businesses and to be ready to respond during storms and outages to keep our system reliable.

Working for BC Hydro is meaningful. And now, the stakes have been raised as we work towards a solution to climate change while safely providing clean, affordable electricity to our customers.

We offer a healthy work life balance, training opportunities and career progression. We're proud to be ranked as one of B.C.'s Top Employers and one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers. Join us as we build an even cleaner B.C.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Duties: 

You may think that meter technicians are the people who read your meter at home but they are not. In fact, they are the people who install electric meters and keep them working properly - accurately measuring our customers' power consumption.

As an apprentice in this trade you would: 

* Learn to install, calibrate, troubleshoot, test and repair electric meters and associated equipment ranging from basic residential meters to more complex industrial meters 

* Learn operating and safety procedures, tool/material use and equipment operation before moving on to more complex theory and the intricate wiring required for more sophisticated equipment 

* Work both inside and outdoors during apprenticeship – in all weather conditions.

Qualifications: 

The successful apprentice will have: 

* High school graduation with the following courses: English 12, Math 12 and Physics 12 (Note: Physics 11 and Electrician Red Seal is an acceptable equivalent to Physics 12) 

* True colour vision 

* A valid BC Class 5 driver’s license (or higher) 

* Strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills in dealing with both internal and external customers * Good analytical skills, as the work is highly technical 

* Mechanical aptitude, as demonstrated through electrical or metering experience 

* Computer literacy and good report writing skills 

* Successful completion of related post-secondary courses in Electrical or Electronic Theory that will be considered an asset. Candidates who have completed a two-year Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology Diploma with an Electrical Power option or equivalent are preferred.

Please note: Where equivalent status is claimed, acceptable documentation must be provided by the applicant that will show equivalency of courses taken.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THE PROGRAM 

Starting in March 2025 42 months of on the job technical training and a series of self-study, competency based training modules. All training is done under the supervision of a qualified meter technician.

THE FUTURE 

There are two distinct types of jobs within the meter technician trade that you can apply for when you graduate, or later in your career:

* Field Work 

- Work on your own most of the time, primarily on installation of revenue electric meters and associated equipment, troubleshooting and testing of metering installations. 

- Other functions include credit work, theft investigation, specialized meter reading and installation of load survey equipment. Work in these jobs often involves the use of computers installed in outdoor vehicles. Such jobs in the South Interior or Northern regions particularly, will appeal to those who enjoy planning/scheduling their own work and sometimes training other metering staff. However, these positions involve extensive travel and time away from home.

* Shop Work 

- Work in a shop environment, primarily on repair and calibration of revenue electric meters and associated equipment. Other functions include acceptance testing of new equipment.

THE LOCATION 

Apprentices are trained in the Lower Mainland in our Surrey Electric Meter Shop as well as our Surrey and Burnaby district offices. Related field practicums are conducted in various provincial district headquarters and will be dictated on an as needed basis as it relates to specific training, and as agreed upon and approved by the Apprentice Subcommittee. These areas may include some or all of the following: Vernon, Prince George, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Victoria, North Vancouver, Abbotsford and Coquitlam. Meter Technician applicants (to become graduate journeyperson(s) must be willing to locate to any Field Operations headquarters that post a bulletin for a Meter Technician.

THE BENEFITS 

Besides having a challenging and satisfying career, you're paid while you learn and have an excellent benefit package. Apprentices earn 75% of the full trade rate with further increases during the apprenticeship. The apprentice rate is $35.95; upon graduation as a journeyperson, the rate is $47.93. Additionally, we are committed to keeping our employees healthy and safe by providing a generous benefit package that includes vacation (minimum of 3 weeks), overtime pay, designated day offs with pay, disability income, health and vision care, and dental benefits.

* A condition of employment for this job is that you maintain your Driver's License: Class 5.

* BC Hydro conducts pre-placement medical checks on applicants entering certain positions to help safeguard BC Hydro’s workplace. As part of the selection process, you may be required to demonstrate successful completion of a pre-placement medical check.

This position is affiliated with the international Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW local 258) www.ibew258.bc.ca

Please ensure you submit a complete and comprehensive application package, making sure you include:

* Cover letter - provide in your online application 

* Resume (include street address and mailing address if different, email address and phone contacts) - provide in your online application 

* Proof of pre-requisite completion: copies of school transcripts from your educational institution(s) confirming grade 12 graduation, including the following courses: English 12, Math 12 and Physics 12 (Note: Physics 11 and Electrician Red Seal is an acceptable equivalent to Physics 12) 

* Include in your application a copy of your ICBC Driver´s Abstract - which can be obtained from a motor vehicle branch or https://www.icbc.com/driver-licensing/getting-licensed/Your-driving-record )

Location: Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, V3W 3J6

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their applications online at https://app.bchydro.com/careers/current_opp.html  by October 10, 2024.

Click here to access the job posting or visit the BC Hydro “Current Opportunities” Careers page to view and apply for jobs.

You must use a supported browser, such as Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or Safari. Your pop up blocker will also need to be disabled for the BC Hydro Careers site.

On the BC Hydro Careers site, click on the Apply button in order to complete the steps to apply for this job. Please be sure to update your Candidate Profile with your current resume and include copies of your certifications, if applicable. 

We're always looking for exceptional people to bring new ideas, fresh thinking and the motivation to help shape the electricity system in B.C. It's an exciting time to be a part of our team as we invest in our system and prepare to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

Our values guide our work. Want to join us?

We are safe. 

We are here for our customers. 

We are one team. 

We include everyone. 

We act with integrity and respect. 

We are forward thinking.

BC Hydro is an equal opportunity employer.

We include everyone. We welcome applications from anyone, including members of visible minorities, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities.

We are also happy to provide reasonable accommodations throughout the selection process and while working at BC Hydro. If you require support applying online because you are a person with a disability, please contact us at Recruitmenthelp@BCHydro.com 

Flexible work model role definitions 

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Our four role types identify the degree of flexibility an employee could have to work from home based on the type of work they do. The flexibility for an individual job is up to the manager for each position and the operational requirements. Employees also have the right to work full-time from the office if they prefer. All of our roles require at least some in-person time. 

IBEW/Field – No option to work from home 

Resident – Works primarily (4+ days per week) in the office. 

Hybrid – May be able to work from home up to 3 days per week. 

Remote – Works from home 4+ days per week