Industrial Electrician (Journey or Apprentice)

About the Department

About the Position
Under varying levels of supervision based on experience, this position provides critical electrical, instrumentation, and programming support to the District’s Maintenance and Operations groups. The Industrial Electrician (Apprentice/Journey) ensures that power distribution and instrumentation equipment—across the wastewater treatment plant, District pumping stations, and select customer communities—remains reliable, well-maintained, and fully functional.

The Industrial Electrician has the opportunity to grow into a more skilled position with a tiered compensation system by completing steps within the progression plan for the position. The salary ranges are noted below for reference.

Apprentice 1: $34.79 - $38.89/hour
Apprentice 2: $36.84 - $40.93/hour
Journey Electrician: $38.89 - $42.98/hour
Senior Journey Electrician I: $40.93 - $45.03/hour
Senior Journey Electrician II: $42.98 - $47.07/hour

*All application materials must be received by Sunday, May 10, 2026.

Who We Are
Established in 1930 to protect the lakes and streams of the upper Yahara watershed, the District is a wastewater collection and treatment utility serving about 435,000 people in 24 Madison-area owner communities covering about 190 square miles.

The District owns and operates 150 miles of pipe and 18 regional pumping stations that convey approximately 37 million gallons of wastewater to the Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment Plant daily. Through the treatment process, we recover valuable resources before returning clean water to the environment.

Our mission is to protect public health and the environment. We are dedicated to service, reliability, and sustainability, and our tradition of innovation has positioned us as a leader among clean water utilities.

Working at the District is more than just a paycheck—it is about taking care of our community and protecting one of our most valuable resources: water.
When you think about your career and what you want to accomplish in your lifetime, choose to do?Work Worth Doing!

Position Duties

A successful Industrial Electrician (Apprentice/Journey) must bring the following qualities to the work:

• Agility: Demonstrates the ability to adapt quickly and effectively to changing circumstances, priorities, and environments while maintaining high performance and a positive attitude allowing for a culture of continuous improvement and decision-making that drives results along with an ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities without loss of composure. Demonstrates the ability and willingness to learn new information, ideas, concepts and equipment.
• Electrical and Instrumentation Ability: Builds knowledge, aptitude, competence and safety with power distribution, electrical and instrumentation equipment. Possesses troubleshooting skills to solve problems efficiently. Demonstrates the ability to safely and competently use tools of the trade.
• Problem Solver: Demonstrates the ability to identify complex problems which may not have been encountered in the past, review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement innovative solutions while considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate action, and has the confidence to present ideas to the rest of the team.
• Self-Motivated: Able to independently, proactively, and creatively seek solutions that meet the needs of the customer. Takes initiative and sees a project through to completion. Able to multitask and establish priorities to meet responsibilities.
• Collaboration: Able to work cooperatively with others, one on one, in a team environment and between teams.

This position will perform the following duties with increasing independence over time:

• Systems Maintenance, Repair & Troubleshooting
• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance 
• Documentation, Technology & CMMS Administration 
• Safety & District Support
• Other Duties as Assigned

Minimum Qualifications

*Determination of level will be dependent on qualifications of candidate. Qualified applicants should submit application materials reflecting their experience as it relates to the qualifications listed below.

Required Qualifications for Apprentice:

• Experience utilizing basic math knowledge, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Experience that included the use of hand tools and power tools.
• Experience utilizing knowledge of electrical systems and wiring and using diagnostic tools.

Required Qualifications for Journey:

• Must be currently registered as a Journey Industrial Electrician or Journey Electrical and Instrumentation Technician with the State of Wisconsin or possess the equivalent experience and credentials to obtain such registration upon hire.
• Experience working in an industrial maintenance environment.
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals.
• Experiencing working independently as a sole contributor on-site or collaboratively with maintenance and operations teams to solve technical challenges.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to learn or knowledge of electrical and safety codes, and the ability to safely apply them in day-to-day work.
• Ability to learn or knowledge of following safety procedures such as the confined space entry, respiratory and hearing protection, lockout/tag out and hazard communication practices related to Material Safety Data Sheets.
• Ability to learn or knowledge of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) Principles and implement such principles.
• Ability to install, effectively troubleshoot and maintain all aspects of power distribution, electrical control systems and instrumentation in an industrial environment.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others both in the work group, department, and District.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings and schematics.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to use critical thinking to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, procedures, mathematical operations).
• Ability to recognize the need for and choose appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle, have and maintain a driver’s license.
• Ability to use a computer; computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook), pdf readers, AutoCAD.
• Willingness and ability to travel to various locations for MMSD-related business.?
• Must successfully complete training and receive certification in Confined Space Entry procedures, CPR, and First Aid. These credentials must be secured within six months of the date of hire and kept current throughout tenure in the position.
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time. 
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders.
• Ability to operate hand tools and small power tools safely.
• Ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• Supports the mission, vision, and values of the district by modeling service, reliability, sustainability and displays a commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Must be able to embrace change, adjust to shifting priorities, and navigate challenges as needed.

Employment may require a criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Qualified applicants must address their experience with listed qualifications in their application. Cover letter and Resume encouraged but not required.

Other Qualifications

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Work is primarily performed onsite with time in the field or plant setting. Must be able to safely use District equipment for extended periods of time. Position requires sufficient hand, arm and finger dexterity as well as visual acuity to read and write words and numbers. Requires speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the phone. The noise level varies from quiet to loud.

Work may occasionally require exposure to hazardous conditions and noxious chemicals. Work may also occasionally require performance of tasks outdoors under varying climate conditions, at elevated levels or confined areas. Must be able to handle hazardous materials safely and tolerate exposure to electrical and other environmental hazards. Must be approved to wear and use a respirator and SCBA and other required PPE. Additional requirements may be specified depending on needs of department.

This position is ineligible for remote work consistent with the District’s remote work policy.

The District participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with Form I-9 information for all new employees to confirm authorization to work in the U.S. 

Provides sustainable wastewater treatment and resource recovery services.