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Job Definition
Develop specifications and instructions for installation of voltage transformers, overhead or underground cables, and related electrical equipment used to conduct electrical energy from transmission lines or high-voltage distribution lines to consumers.
Job Zone

Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Interests
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Knowledge
Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Skills
Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Tasks
Visit proposed installation sites and draw rough sketches of location.
Determine the order of work and the method of presentation, such as orthographic or isometric drawing.
Reproduce working drawings on copy machines or trace drawings in ink.
Write technical reports and draw charts that display statistics and data.
Study work order requests to determine type of service, such as lighting or power, demanded by installation.
Prepare and interpret specifications, calculating weights, volumes, and stress factors.
Explain drawings to production or construction teams and provide adjustments as necessary.
Supervise and train other technologists, technicians and drafters.
Use computer-aided drafting equipment and/or conventional drafting stations, technical handbooks, tables, calculators, and traditional drafting tools such as boards, pencils, protractors, and T-squares.
Confer with engineering staff and other personnel to resolve problems.
Draft working drawings, wiring diagrams, wiring connection specifications or cross-sections of underground cables, as required for instructions to installation crew.
Draw master sketches to scale showing relation of proposed installations to existing facilities and exact specifications and dimensions.
Measure factors that affect installation and arrangement of equipment, such as distances to be spanned by wire and cable.
Assemble documentation packages and produce drawing sets which are then checked by an engineer or an architect.
Review completed construction drawings and cost estimates for accuracy and conformity to standards and regulations.
Wages

In 2008, the California average annual wage was $56,140.00.

Most people employed in this occupation were paid between $34,180.00 and $84,130.00.

Outlook

During 2006, there were approximately 3,900 people employed in this field in California. It is projected that there will be 4,100 employed in 2016. This occupation will have about 20 openings due to growth and about 110 replacement openings for approximately 130 total annual openings. This occupation .

Colleges and Training
Below are college programs that are generally associated with this occupation. To view colleges that offer these programs, click on the titles below.
Electrical/Electronics Drafting and Electrical/Electronics CAD/CADD - A program that prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills to develop working schematics and representations in support of electrical/electronic engineers, computer engineers, and related professionals. Includes instruction in basic electronics, electrical systems and computer layouts; electrode-mechanical drafting; manufacturing circuitry; computer-aided drafting (CAD); and electrical systems specification interpretation.
Similar Occupations
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Civil Engineers - Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures, and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, water and sewage systems, and waste disposal units. Includes architectural, structural, traffic, ocean, and geo-technical engineers.
Marine Architects - Design and oversee construction and repair of marine craft and floating structures such as ships, barges, tugs, dredges, submarines, torpedoes, floats, and buoys. May confer with marine engineers.
Materials Engineers - Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials.
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers - Determine the location and plan the extraction of coal, metallic ores, nonmetallic minerals, and building materials, such as stone and gravel. Work involves conducting preliminary surveys of deposits or undeveloped mines and planning their development; examining deposits or mines to determine whether they can be worked at a profit; making geological and topographical surveys; evolving methods of mining best suited to character, type, and size of deposits; and supervising mining operations.
Civil Drafters - Prepare drawings and topographical and relief maps used in civil engineering projects, such as highways, bridges, pipelines, flood control projects, and water and sewerage control systems.
Mechanical Drafters - Prepare detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods, and other engineering information.
Civil Engineering Technicians - Apply theory and principles of civil engineering in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of structures and facilities under the direction of engineering staff or physical scientists.
Notes
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