Apprenticeship Programs

Apprenticeship provides an opportunity for people to get experience and instruction gaining the practical skills and knowledge to become a competent craftsworker.

Apprenticeship positions

  • Lineman Apprentices
  • Meterman Apprentices
  • Substation Electricians In Training

Individuals hired into a Benton PUD apprenticeship position that have no prior experience in a utility related position often have, depending on their position of interest, past commercial electrical experience or have attended a "line or climbing school" such as those shown at the bottom of this page.

Lineman Apprentices are usually hired as a Pre-Apprentice and may work in that capacity for up to one year. This time allows an individual to work with a crew in the field everyday to help determine if they will be a successful Apprenticeship candidate. This year does not count toward their necessary hours to complete the Apprenticeship program and, once a full year is completed, a Pre-Apprentice must be prepared to accept a Lineman Apprentice position or separate employment from the District. The Lineman Apprentice program is typically 3 years long (6000 hours) of on-the-job and supplemental training. Lineman Apprentices attend Saturday School at Columbia Basin College from October through January and spend 10 days at Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Oregon (5 days during their third year)

Meterman Apprentices are typically hired from within but that is not a requirement. Potential candidates will have to pass a pre-qualifying test on electrical theory and math. The Meterman Apprenticeship is 3 years long (6000 hours) of on-the-job and supplemental training. Meterman Apprentices attend classes on Wednesday evenings from September through April which are usually held alternately between Pasco and East Wenatchee. They also attend a week long Meter School held in Seattle annually.

Substation Electricians in Training complete a one year in-house on-the-job training as well as additional outside trainings as necessary. Candidates for this position must have successfully completed an inside electrician apprenticeship.

Those who complete any of these three programs then must pass the Journeyman test administrated by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW) Local 77 proving their qualifications as highly skilled journey-level workers in their trade. All our apprentices are required to join the IBEW Local 77 and maintain that membership during their career at Benton PUD.

How to apply

Benton PUD will post opportunities for an apprenticeship position on this website under Current Openings.

If you are at least 18 years old, a high school graduate or certified equivalent, looking for a challenge and have the right set of skills and abilities, you could be eligible to apply for one of our apprenticeship programs.

We are dedicated to increasing the number of women and minorities in our apprenticeships and providing equal opportunity for all qualified applicants.

Additional information on Education and Apprenticeship Programs

Careers in Public Power - American Public Power Association

Joint Apprenticeship Trade Commission

Washington State Apprenticeship Information

IBEW Local 77

Related College Programs:

Careers

Careers

How do I apply for a job at Benton PUD?

Benton PUD accepts applications for posted positions through our online system.  We do not accept applications or resumes submitted by mail, fax or e-mail (unless necessary for an alternative application process).  View our current openings and click the "Apply Now" button.

Does the PUD make reasonable accommodations for applicants?

Yes.  Benton PUD provides equal opportunities to qualified applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans.  This includes reasonable accommodations for optional alternative application methods if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application system as a result of your disability, as well as reasonable accommodations for interview and test processes. If you require an accommodation to apply for a position with Benton PUD in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, please submit an accommodation request form as soon as possible to the following:  Benton PUD Human Resources Manager, 2721 West 10th Avenue, Kennewick, WA  99336, fax to (509) 582-1246 or email to Wennerm@bentonpud.org.

For more information view our page on ADA Reasonable Accommodation. 

How can I find out about Benton PUD job openings?

View our Current Openings link under the Careers section.  If there isn't a suitable opening for you at the moment, we encourage you to register for a Job Agent, where you tell us what jobs or locations you are interested in and we will send you an email when a job is posted matching your criteria.  We also post all of our openings with WorkSource and record job openings on our 24-Hour Job Information Line available at (509) 582-2290.

Do I have to register to view current job openings?

No. You can view current openings without registering.  However, you must register in order to apply for a particular position.

What if I don’t have a resume?

If you do not have a resume to upload which will pre-populate many fields in the online application, you can continue the process and manually enter the fields.   If you do not have a resume and want to create a resume, the nationwide US Employment Service, WorkSource provides online resources to get started.  There are also several free resume builder services available on the internet.  You can go to any search engine (i.e., Yahoo, Google, Hot Mail, etc.) and type “free resume builder” to get a listing of the websites that provide this service.

What if I don’t have a computer?

If you don’t have computer access, there are community agencies that provide access to computers such as your local library and WorkSource.

Is an e-mail account required?

Yes. To apply for a job using our online application process or register for the Job Agent an e-mail address is required.  Using an e-mail address is the best way for Benton PUD staff to communicate with you and let you know we have received your application for a specific job, tell you about job opportunities and the status of your position.

What if I don’t have an e-mail account?

If you do not have access to e-mail and want to establish an e-mail account, there are several free e-mail services available on the internet.  You can go to any search engine (i.e., Yahoo, Google, Hot Mail, etc.) and type “free email” to get a listing of the Web sites that provide this service.

What happens to my application after I send it?

Provided you meet the minimum qualifications and screening criteria, your application information is forwarded to the appropriate hiring manager.  Typically, applicants are contacted within 2 weeks of the closing date for a position if selected to interview.  Although the hiring process typically takes four to six weeks, it may take longer due to a variety of factors.

Will I get a confirmation e-mail?

Yes.  If you used the online application process, you will receive an e-mail immediately after submitting your application.  You can also view your application status under “Update My Info” then “Application History.”

Can I submit a resume without applying for a job opening?

No.  You should submit your resume when applying online for a posted position.  Including your resume when creating an application makes it searchable by our recruiters, much in the way your resume can be searched by key words on monster.com, careerbuilder.com, or similar sites.  While this is a handy tool, our recruiters may not always search the database when recruiting to fill specific jobs, so be sure to apply to any specific jobs for which you are qualified and want to be considered.

Does Benton PUD require background checks for positions?

All offers made are conditional upon verification of the information provided on the application and successful completion of a comprehensive pre-employment background check.  Click here for more information about background checks, including what you can do if we find something negative in your background check.

Does Benton PUD require testing for positions?

Specific positions at the District are subject to successful completion of the following pre-employment tests, screenings and requirements:

  • Pre-employment Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing*
  • Pre-employment physical
  • Credit check
  • Aptitude/Skill testing
  • Possession of a valid Washington State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or driver’s license
  • Safety Performance History
  • Proof of journeyman status in the applicable craft

*For the positions requiring pre-employment drug testing, satisfactory completion of such tests is a condition of employment for all prospective employees who have been extended a conditional offer.  Evidence of alteration or dilution of samples is equivalent to a failed drug test.

What if there isn’t a closing date on the job posting?

The position is considered open indefinitely and can be closed at any time.  It is recommended that you apply for positions as soon as possible to avoid missing an opportunity.

Which Internet browsers work best with the online application process?

For the best application experience, Benton PUD recommends that you use Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher.

I’m not able to upload my resume, what should I do?

Resumes must be in a searchable format such as a MS Word document.  You cannot upload a file in a non-searchable format such as a pdf.

I’m not able to read or update the fields on my application, what should I do?

Try using a different browser, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome.

I’m getting an error message, what should I do?

Clear your Internet browser cache by going to the “Tools” option on the toolbar and selecting “Internet options.” From the “general” tab in the window, select “delete files” and click “OK.”  Repeat this step, but check the box “delete all offline content” and then click “OK.”  Then, close all of your browser windows, open a new browser window, and try again.

What if I have more questions?

Call Benton PUD Human Resources at (509) 582-1270 or e-mail us at careers@bentonpud.org.