Overview
Electricity Distribution – Network Technician (Underground) – Full Time
About us
National Grid Electricity Distribution is the new name for Western Power Distribution. This is a very exciting time to be part of the largest UK electricity transmission and distribution business. We’ve changed our name, but our people and focus on providing great service to customers remains unchanged. We connect 8 million customers across the Midlands, South West England and South Wales and serve a population of over 18 million people. We do this whilst maintaining safety, reliability and excellent customer service.
National Grid employs over 29,000 people worldwide. Our vision is to be at the heart of a clean, fair and affordable energy future and we are doing this in a fast-moving industry with an increasing focus on tackling climate change, exploring new energy sources which are renewable, low carbon, and improve efficiency to meet demand.
We are an equal opportunities employer. Our desire is to bring in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build further on our inclusive culture. We value and celebrate individual difference and we believe that an inclusive culture will help the business grow as a positive, strong and innovative company.
Job Introduction
An opportunity is available for a Technician based at Taunton.
You will be accountable to the Team Manager for the construction, maintenance and repair of the underground and overhead network up to 33kV. In addition, you will be responsible for the programming and monitoring of immediate work colleagues, switching up to 33kV, the issuing of appropriate safety documentation and dealing with other tasks appropriate to the Technicians role.
You are required to have grade A*-C/4-9 GCSE in English and Maths or Functional Skills Level 2 qualification in both subjects. In addition, you must hold a City & Guilds 2339 Level 2 or equivalent Level 2 qualification in Electrical Engineering. Evidence of your qualifications will be required prior to appointment.
*Please note the successful candidate may initially be appointed at a lower salary until all relevant courses and training are complete.
If you are offered a position, you will be required to successfully complete a basic DBS check that shows any unspent convictions or conditional cautions.
As an equal opportunities employer who is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, we celebrate individual difference and are actively bringing in more employees from diverse backgrounds to build on our inclusive culture. We anonymise all jobs in our recruitment system, so we can eliminate unconscious bias and be a workplace that reflects the community we serve.
Hiring managers only have access to necessary information after shortlisting has taken place and before interview so they can prepare.
Main Responsibilities
- The construction, reinforcement, alteration and replacement of assets.
- The restoration of supplies to customers and repair of faulty assets.
- The organisation of individual projects.
- Construct distribution substations, construct and alter overhead lines and associated plant. Install plant. Lay and joint cables up to 11kV. Terminate cables to plant and overhead lines. Install and connect services. Assist other Team Members.
- Carry out network operations including the issue of Limitations of Access and Permit to Work safety documents up to 33kV.
- Repair and replace faulty and obsolete plant, cables and overhead lines.
- Locate and identify cables. Test insulation, phasing and continuity on LV cables. Test earthing. Test voltage. Test phasing and phase rotation.
- Record asset routes, details and positions. Record plant details.
- Alter own short term programme to meet changes in circumstances, within constraints.
- Assess the potential impact of a specific work activity on customers.
- Minimise the adverse impact of own activities on customers.
- Carry out quality and compliance checks on contractors’ works.
- Speak on behalf of oneself and the Company at the individual level.
The Ideal Candidate
You must be able to work on your own initiative as part of a small team and be capable of making on the spot decisions as required. You will need good communications skills, a flexible attitude and be able to cope in pressured situations often working to tight deadlines. In addition, you will be required to train as an SAP and be mobile throughout the area to undertake standby duties as part of the formal rota operating in the team.
If not already attained, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Level 3 City & Guilds 2339.
About the Company
If this is your opportunity to join us, you’ll find we offer a supportive, rewarding and friendly working environment where you’ll be empowered to build a career. Along the way, you’ll be invested in, be enabled by the latest technology and find that we’re always interested in evolving our systems and processes so that we get even better, every day.
In return, you’ll enjoy a package of benefits designed to reward your hard work and incentivise your ambition. In addition to your competitive salary, we offer a competitive contributory pension scheme where the company will double match your pension contributions up to a maximum company contribution of 10%. You will also have access, subject to eligibility criteria, to join our annual Share Save plan.
You will receive a generous annual leave entitlement on joining, starting at 26 days rising to 28 days following 10 years’ service, plus 8 bank holidays. In addition, you will be able to access support via our Employee Assistance Programme, including musculoskeletal and physiotherapy services.
Additional Application Information
Recruitment correspondence is usually sent by email, so please do check your email account including spam/junk folders regularly after the closing date.
To enhance your candidate experience, we recommend using Google Chrome to complete your online application. Should you have any questions regarding this or require additional support to complete your online application, please contact us.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient numbers of suitable applications be received. We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible.
