Apprentice - Maintainer

This position will be posted from July 15 2025 to July 29 2025 by 4:00 pm.

Must be able to pass proficiency examination.

Must be able to pass a drug and alcohol test and a background check.

DRPA and PATCO are subject to federal law under which marijuana continues to be illegal.

Please check your spam or clutter for any emails regarding this selection process.

Position Purpose

The Maintainer-Power & Signals Apprentice Program is designed to train selected candidates in the various responsibilities unique to the Maintainer Power & Signals position.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the duties responsibilities knowledge skill and/or ability required. The Authority will adhere to all applicable laws and regulations in assessing an employees ability to carry out or otherwise meet the job requirements set forth herein in a satisfactory manner.

Program Description

The Apprenticeship Program is a three (3) year program consisting of: A) Foundational Training comprised of two (2) years of classroom instruction provided by a technical school and/or community college as determined by PATCO complemented by PATCO on the job training (OJT) followed by B) PATCO-Specific Training for one (1) additional year. During the PATCO-specific training the Apprentice will be required to pass competency tests at the end of each training module. Specifically the Apprentice will be required to pass practical field tests on diverse technical areas relating to power distribution (AC and DC systems) power clearances transit signaling and substation applications. These include but are not limited to all station and shop lighting substations rail switch machines rail transit signal systems motor generators third rail all high- and low-voltage equipment and all HVAC equipment.

Duties and responsibilities will increase in complexity as each apprentice progression level is achieved. In this training capacity the Apprentice will work under the guidance of an experienced P&S Maintainer and/or P&S Electrical Foreman in order to attain the required knowledge and experience to become proficient in the maintenance inspection and troubleshooting of the diverse technical areas aforementioned.

If selected the candidates placement into the Apprentice Program will be determined by the candidates level of education and documented relevant experience:

Apprentice I -

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• No documented relevant experience

Apprentice II -

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• Certification of Completion of at least one (1) entry level/introduction class on electrical theory general basic electric and/or electronics in either high school technical school or college with a passing grade (C- or better)
• No documented relevant experience

Apprentice III -

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED)
• Certification of Completion of vocational/technical training in the theory of analog and Microprocessor-based control systems and electrical maintenance repair techniquesand workmanship.

Program Admissions:

Required:

• High School Diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Must take and successfully pass a written examination covering basic math skills with a score of 70% or better.

Must provide:

• For DRPA/PATCO Employees: One letter of recommendation from the employees immediate supervisor AND a satisfactory employee record with no serious disciplinary actions or safety violations within the last three years.

• For All Other Applicants: One letter of recommendation from a current or former work supervisor or academic instructor who can attest to the applicants ability to succeed in the Program.
• Valid drivers license in state of residence without major violations for last 3 years.
• This position requires training and qualification by the Power and Signals Department to operate or pilot maintenance-of-way equipment on the mainline or yard tracks

Program Proficiency to Assessed:

At the completion of the Program apprentice must pass the proficiency examination for the Maintainer Power & Signals position with a grade of 70% or above. Proficiency must include an understanding in the use of electrical/electronic test equipment. Examples include but is not limited to digital volt meter (DVM) Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) visual fault locator and a telephone line the use of electronic test equipment which is found in electronic maintenance shops. Proficiency also includes loading test software automatic test equipment test adapters oscilloscopes frequency generators counter/timers for monitoring the characteristics of energized power and control circuits.

Proficiency also includes organized documentation and communication skills.

**** SELECTED PARTICIPANTS MUST REVIEW AND AGREE TO ADHERE THE REQUIREMENTS LISTED IN THE PATCO MAINTAINER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM PLAN.****

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

Under the guidance and direction of the P&S Maintainer and/or P&S Electrical Foreman the individual for this position must perform the essential duties and responsibilities as follows:

1. Performs all functions related to installation and/or maintenance on electronic facilities such as digital and analog telephone equipment PA equipment CCTV equipment SCADA equipment CTC equipment security equipment fire detection/alarm equipment transmission (fiber optic coaxial copper) cables and fiber optic equipment all located in a central control center substations node houses passenger stations shop and administration buildings subway tunnels the Ben Franklin Bridge and interconnected via aerial pole lines underground duct banks and conduits along PATCOs right-of-way.

2. Responsible for maintaining equipment which operates on both DC and AC voltages with voltage ranging from 110 volts to 69000 volts AC and 800 volts DC.

3. Performs snow shoveling/pushing for all facilities of PATCO as necessary.

4. Assist in maintaining a safe and secure work environment by participating in required training recognizing and reporting hazards and suspicious activity and using all required personal protective equipment.

5. Must be willing to work all modified shift hours required including weekdays and weekends.

6. The individual for this position will perform other related duties as assigned.

This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to all provisions of the DRPA/PATCOS Substance Abuse Testing and Control Policy including random drug testing and periodic physical testing requirements and the federally mandated CDL Drug and Alcohol random testing requirements.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

1. The individual must demonstrate the ability to organize and analyze complex and diverse information and use same to resolve problems in a timely manner.

2. The individual must pursue training and development opportunities in order to continuously build knowledge and skills. Must be willing to share expertise with others.

3. The individual must be able to manage difficult customer situations and respond promptly to customer needs. The maintenance of confidentiality is essential.

4. The individual must be able to read understand written and verbal instructions speak and write clearly in order to communicate effectively. Must be able to demonstrate group presentation skills.

5. The individual must display openness to others views must be able to balance team and individual responsibilities. Must contribute to building positive team spirit by supporting everyones efforts to succeed.

6. The individual must show respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and work toward promoting a harassment free environment and diverse workforce. The individual must treat everyone with respect work with integrity and uphold and support organizational values and goals.

7. The individual must follow all organizational policies and procedures.

8. The individual must be able to prioritize and plan work activities using time efficiently. He or she must react well under pressure and accept responsibilities for his/her own actions.

9. The individual must respond to management direction.

10. The individual must demonstrate accuracy and thoroughness apply feedback to improve performance and monitor his or her own work to ensure quality. Individual should always be willing to generate suggestions to improve individual and departmental performance.

11. The individual must be punctual at all times and ensure that work responsibilities are covered in his/her absence. Must complete tasks correctly and on time.

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee must occasionally walk/stand (50%) sit (30%) lift (5%) bend (5%) crawl/bend (10%) and ascend/descend stairs steps. The employee must support and position components that weigh up to thirty-five (35) pounds above their shoulder without assistance. They must possess the manual dexterity to disassemble assemble and install small components. The individual must possess visual acuity to identify and differentiate small parts as well as ability to avoid workplace obstacles. The individual must have ability to detect audible warnings in a rail transit system environment. The employee must have the ability to climb a rung ladder. The employee must have normal day and nighttime vision corrected or uncorrected and have normal hearing with or without device.

Working Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The duties and responsibilities of this position are usually performed indoors and outdoors in all types of lighting ventilation and weather conditions including but not limited to heat sun rain snow and ice. When working on equipment out in stations there will be close interactions with customers. Workspace can be confined and the use of flashlights or other supplemental lighting may be required. Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) operates electrically propelled rail cars. All employees must be constantly aware of the hazards that cause electric shock and electrical flash burns.