ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION MECHANIC (3879) (REVISED 5/21/26)

Annual Salary

For trainee positions: $130,604 to $167,916; and $136,972 to $176,101For journey-level positions: $195,666 (flat-rated); $204,874 (flat-rated); and; $215,335 (flat-rated)

Notes

• Candidates from the eligible list are normally appointed to vacancies in the lower pay grade positions.
• Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. Please confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

An entry-level Electric Distribution Mechanic works as a trainee under close supervision of journey-level workers. Trainees receive extensive classroom training as well as on the job training as a cable splicer and as a line mechanic.

Electric Distribution Mechanic trainees assist in the construction, maintenance and repair of overhead electric power sub-transmission and distribution lines and equipment; constructs high-voltage distribution pole lines; makes construction changes to existing lines and equipment; repairs power lines and line equipment; repairs and reroutes services; sets poles; installs transformer racks; hangs and installs transformers and switches of various types and sizes; installs overhead street lights and guy wires; makes repairs to energized lines; performs limited line clearance tree trimming; installs watt-hour meters; uses appropriate live line tools to install and remove approved protective covering on energized distribution and sub-transmission circuits of 7.5kV and above; and climbs poles.

Electric Distribution Mechanic trainees assist in the construction, maintenance, and repair of underground electric power, transmission, sub-transmission, and distribution cable work.

Performs work activities in connection with underground cable installation and removal; pulls cables and service lines through sub-structures, vaults, duct lines, up poles and walls, over roofs of buildings and to customers’ service panels; performs rigging operations of cable pulling equipment; installs and removes transformers and related equipment in vaults and sub-structures; splices energized and de-energized low-voltage cables, splices high voltage de-energized cables; maintains gas and oil filled cable and equipment; installs watt hour meters; and climbs poles as related to underground work.

A journey-level Electric Distribution Mechanic performs skilled mechanical and electrical work in connection with the construction, maintenance, and repair of energized and/or de-energized overhead and underground electric transmission, subtransmission, distribution, communication, and utilitarian street light lines, cables, and equipment; and may work as a mentor over a group of skilled craft workers.

• Completion of an apprenticeship program sanctioned by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) national organization in conjunction with the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), and possession of a valid journey-level line worker card issued by IBEW; or
• A pole climbing proficiency certificate issued by an accredited lineman’s college or by the Department of Water and Power, Power System Safety and Training, or completion of a recognized Advanced Training Pole Climbing program while in the United States military; and one of the following:

a. Six months of full-time paid experience assisting or working on an overhead and/or underground Electrical Distribution or Transmission Construction, Maintenance, or Electric Trouble crew and assisting with and/or performing high-voltage line work in and on high-voltage power poles, transmission towers, and underground electric substructures.

Six months experience must be specific to assisting with and/or performing work at voltages of 4.16-kV and above; or b. Six months of full-time experience performing electrical work on equipment and circuits in the maintenance or construction of electrical distribution systems while in the United States military; or c. Eighteen months of full-time paid experience performing line clearance tree trimming; or d.

Eighteen months of full-time paid training and experience chipping around energized 4.8-kV and 34.5-kV electrical conduit systems; or

• Certificate of completion of the Electrical Lineman Program from Northwest Lineman College; or
• Certificate of completion of the Powerline Mechanic-Trainee Program from the Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

Process Notes

• All Electric Distribution Mechanics are required to drive commercial vehicles.
• Electric Distribution Mechanic (EDM) – Journey-Level
• California Residents and In-State Applicants: As a condition of employment, a valid Class A driver’s license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), along with a valid medical certificate approved by the DMV, is required at the time of appointment.
• Out-of-State Applicants: A valid commercial driver’s license issued by a comparable state DMV, an official driving history record, and a valid medical certificate approved by the respective state DMV are required at the time of appointment. As a condition of employment, a valid Class A driver’s license issued by the California DMV must be obtained within three months of appointment.
• EDM in Training (Trainee)
• All applicants (California Residents, In-State, and Out-of-State): As a condition of employment, a valid Class C driver’s license issued by the California DMV (or comparable state issued driver’s license) and an official driving history record are required at the time of appointment. Appointed trainees are given six months from the start of the temporary training program to obtain a valid Class A driver’s license issued by the California DMV.
• Disqualification: Applicants will be disqualified or deemed ineligible for hire if their DMV record reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation (such as a DUI or DWI) within the last 36 months in any state or jurisdiction. The City of Los Angeles reserves the right to issue a notice of disqualification or ineligibility at any time before a final job offer is extended.
• All entry-level positions in this class are temporary training positions as defined in Civil Service Commission Rule 5.30. Trainees receive extensive classroom training as well as on-the-job training as a cable splicer and as a line mechanic. An Electric Distribution Mechanic must successfully complete an extensive on-the-job and classroom training program in order to receive an appointment to a regular Electric Distribution Mechanic position. It is anticipated that the training period will last up to 54 months.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #1 must submit an Apprenticeship Certificate at the time of filing. The certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted the certificate. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #1 must submit proof of having a journey-level line worker card, such as an IBEW official receipt indicating the trade classification, at the time of filing. A copy of this proof must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If it is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit proof at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #1 may be considered for direct appointment to a regular (journey-level) Electric Distribution Mechanic position and may waive the multiple-choice test but must achieve a passing score on the performance test to be placed on the eligible list. All other applicants must achieve a passing score on the qualifying multiple-choice test to be scheduled for the performance test.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #2 must submit a copy of their pole climbing proficiency certificate at the time of filing. A copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with submitting it. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #3 or #4 must submit a copy of their certificate of completion at the time of filing. A copy of the certificate must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the certificate is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and the applicant WILL NOT be credited with submitting it. Applicants who fail to submit the certificate at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• Active United States Military personnel may file for this examination; however, they cannot be appointed until they have completed their military service and have been discharged with satisfactory performance. Proof of military service and satisfactory performance must be provided prior to appointment.
• Applicants filing under Requirement #2b must submit at the time of filing their application a copy of their DD-214 or a copy of their military identification indicating an End of Active Obligated Service (EAOS) date within six months from the application date. The copy of the DD-214 or military identification with EAOS must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted. If the copy is attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, it will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted it. Applicants who fail to submit the DD-214 or military identification with EAOS at the time of filing by attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered further in this examination.
• An Electric Distribution Mechanic is required to utilize various tools and equipment while working in the confined area of an underground vault.
• Electric Distribution Mechanics are required to climb power poles and utilize various tools and equipment at the top of a pole.

Selective Certification

In accordance with Charter Section 1010 (b) and Civil Service Rule 5.31, selective certification will be used for some positions that require special skills and/or training in one or more of the following areas. Only persons possessing the following at the time of filing may be considered for appointments to fill such positions.

Possession of a certificate of completion of an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) accredited line worker training program and a valid journey-level line worker card issued by IBEW.

Applicants must attach a copy of the certificate of completion and valid journey-level line worker card to the on-line application at the time of filing. The certificate of completion and valid journey-level line worker card must be attached to the on-line application BEFORE the application is submitted.

If the documents are attached AFTER the on-line application has been submitted, they will not be available to the City and applicants WILL NOT be credited with having submitted the documents. Applicants who fail to submit the documents at the time of filing by not attaching it to the on-line application will not be considered for this part of selective certification.

Applications will only be accepted on-line. When you are viewing the on-line bulletin of your choice, simply scroll to the top of the page and select the "Apply"; icon.

Note

Applicants are urged to apply early to ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues you may encounter if you apply on-line.

Application Deadline

This examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received. For administrative purposes, filing may close periodically and reopen the following day.

In accordance with Civil Service Rule 4.2, all applicants who apply may not be tested in this examination.

To meet anticipated hiring needs, only a limited number of qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the selection process in the following order: 1) Applicants currently employed by the City of Los Angeles who meet the minimum requirements, or are on a reserve list; 2) Remaining applicants who meet the minimum requirements in sufficient numbers to meet hiring needs based on a random sampling of those qualified candidates.

Applicants not selected to be tested may re-apply in a subsequent filing period in order to be considered for that period’s selection process.

After meeting minimum qualifications, candidates filing under Requirement #2, #3, or #4 will be scheduled for the following two tests and candidates filing under Requirement #1 will be scheduled for the Performance Test only:

Performance Test - 100%

In the qualifying multiple-choice test, which will be administered and proctored on-line candidates may be examined for knowledge of: basic physical principles related to the operation of mechanical devices; the proper use and care of portable power and hand tools; basic safety principles and procedures, including first aid and safe work practices for electrical craft work and work in confined spaces; basic arithmetic; and the ability to read sufficiently to understand reference guides, maps, scales, dials, digital readings and measures; and other necessary skills, knowledge and abilities.

The qualifying multiple-choice test will be proctored and administered on-line during a single session. Candidates invited to participate in the on-line multiple-choice test will be able to take the test from a remote location (i.e., their home) using a computer with a webcam and a reliable internet connection.

Candidates will receive an e-mail from the City of Los Angeles outlining the dates and specific steps on how to take the qualifying multiple-choice test on-line. Candidates who do not complete and submit the remote proctored multiple-choice test on-line using a computer by the specified date and time will not be considered further in this examination.

For candidates who apply between NOVEMBER 19, 2025 and MAY 24, 2026, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between JULY 28, 2026 to AUGUST 3, 2026

For candidates who apply between MAY 25, 2026 and NOVEMBER 27, 2026, it is anticipated that the on-line multiple-choice test will be administered between JANUARY 26, 2027 to FEBRUARY 1, 2027.

Passing Score for the Qualifying Multiple-Choice Test

The passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test will be determined by Personnel Department staff after the multiple-choice test is administered. Consideration will be given to the number of candidates taking the test and the existing and anticipated number of vacancies, such that there are a sufficient number of eligibles on the list to satisfy current and future vacancies for the next two years. Therefore, the passing score for the qualifying multiple-choice test may be set either at above or below 70%.

For candidates filing under Requirement #2, #3, or #4, only those who receive a passing score on the qualifying multiple-choice test will be scheduled for the performance test.