Job Descriptions
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There are several tradesman categories of employees working for an
electrical contractor. Here are a few with a brief job description. An employee
handbook may incorporate appropriate job descriptions as a way to orient new
employees to the occupation.
Laborer
-is assigned specific tasks to complete in a set amount of time. Jobs for this
worker center around getting places ready for other electricians to work. This
could be preparing ditches, moving material on the job, bringing tools to the
place where they are needed by electricians, and clean-up as a job progresses.
No tools are typically needed other than what is supplied by the electrical
contractor. These workers may be from an employment labor contractor and not
full time employees of the company.
Warehouse Person
-works to arrange electrical material and tools to be readily available to
electricians as needed. This person also accepts delivery of material, orders
stock items when needed, prepares inventory for delivery as requested by
electricians, supervises maintenance and assignment of tools, and prepares
inventory lists for business use.
Driver
-is responsible to the field workers to provide materials and tools as
requested. This work often involves pick-up and delivery of heavy and often
large quantities of electrical raceways, conductors, fittings, fixtures, and
tools. This person works closely with the warehouse person.
Electrical Estimator
_is responsible for looking over plans for a job, making a list of material and
time needed to do the job, and seeks to attach a dollar amount to all aspects so
the company can make a profit on the work. This level of employment demands
attention to every detail. Although a knowledge of actual installation technique
is not needed buy this worker, a general knowledge if how the job progresses is
essential. Further, a business knowledge of material pricing and labor units is
critical for successful performance. This person works closely with electrical
supply houses, building contractors, architectural planners, and building
officials. This person used drafting instruments, computers and other tools to
develop counts of material needed based on plans and specifications.
Helper Electrician
-works with an electrician to complete an electrical installation. As an
assistant, this worker may be asked to assist in the positioning of heavy
material, may be asked to bring specific materials to a work location, and often
is responsible to keep the electrician supplied with needed material and tools.
This person will only need a few hand tools as determined by the work performed.
Mechanic Electrician
-is a worker who has job skill working with tools to make an electrical
installation based on previous instruction. A mechanic typically is employed
where repetition is needed. For example, a building with 500 units needs a
mechanic to do a specific task repeatedly. Once instructed, a mechanic can work
without close supervision to complete an electrical installation. Thos person
must have all hand tools needed to do the work which is assigned.
Apprentice Electrician
-is an electrician in training. Typically this level of worker is enrolled in a
formal training program which typically runs for four years. During this time,
the worker is given work experience on the job which is varied. And the
apprentice attends related instruction in a formal classroom setting usually
sponsored by the Department of Labor. A formal agreement is drawn between the
employee and the employer to give some guarantees that the work relationship
will be mutually beneficial. This worker is expected to gradually build a tool
collection and skill to use them.
Licensed Journeyman Electrician
-is a worker who has demonstrated through a formal examination process an
extensive knowledge of electrical installation techniques, electrical theory,
math, and code. This is the electrical worker who typically supervises laborers,
helpers and apprentices while actually doing the electrical work. This level of
employment is highly complicated. A journeyman electrician must be organized,
knowledgeable, and mechanically experienced to perform well. This person must
have all hand tools needed to do the work as assigned.
Master Electrician
-is responsible for all electrical work done by the company. This person often
is involved in determining the order of the work to be done, the locations where
all other electrical workers will be assigned, coordination with other
trades, and inspection of all work to insure quality. This person is also
responsible to test all installations prior to turning them over to owners when
power has been supplied. This person must have a complete set of hand tools and
the knowledge of how to use them and the ability to actually use them.
Electrical Superintendent
-is the overall guide for all other workers. This person is responsible
for interviewing and training all employees, review of all material
invoices, approval of time sheets, and a point of information for the business
staff. This person is also the contact person for the electrical inspection
department for each job.
Electrical Contractor
_is the person who manages the entire business. This person may be an
electrician or not. The job duties are to make sure adequate work is being done
to keep all employees working while making a profit so the company can continue
to operate. This person is typically not involved in the field operations but
instead is more an office person. Working with banking, legal, and governmental
departments is the primary focus of this person. Developing long term strategies
is also the responsibility of this person. Making sure the company continues is
the highest goal.
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