Electrician Job Description: Top Roles and Responsibilities

Unlike ordinary people, an experienced electrician can deal with complex electrical systems. Electricity is a basic necessity in our lives, and we do not realize its significance until it is gone. 

It is the master electricians that identify hazards, diagnose malfunctioning systems, and fix electrical problems to prevent loss of life and property. 

Therefore, fulfilling electrician duties is not everyone’s cup of tea. However, the steady growth rate of the electricity industry might tempt you to become an electrician. 

From needing a high school diploma to acquainting yourself with the National Electrical Code, there are quite a few checkboxes you need to tick to become an efficient electrician.

Whether you plan to start your electrical business, become a freelance electrician, or gain the position of an electrician at some big company, you have come to the right place. 

This article will brief you regarding creating an electrician job description, provide you with an electrician job description template, acquaint you with the roles and responsibilities of an electrician, and talk about some other pertinent electrical components.   

Continue reading to know better. 

Duties And Responsibilities of an Electrician

As iterated earlier, an electrician is expected to accomplish numerous tasks. Getting acquainted with these responsibilities will help you figure out whether you fit the bill or not. 

Here is a list of responsibilities an electrician is expected to fulfill:

1. Look after electrical wiring systems

Proper electrical wiring ensures the safety and functionality of your household. It is utilized for lighting and repositories to control things like televisions, sound systems, hair curling accessories, and hair dryers.

The wiring likewise takes care of various machines, of all shapes and sizes, throughout the home. These incorporate broilers, fridges, coolers, dishwashers, microwaves, washers, dryers, toaster ovens, blenders, pizza stoves, espresso pots, and cookers.  

Without adequate wiring facilities, people cannot use any electrical equipment. Therefore, regular maintenance of the wiring system is an absolute necessity. If something goes haywire in the wiring system, the electricians replace the wiring. 

Thus, if you want to become an electrician, you should be well-versed in installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring. 

2. Comprehend the electrical blueprints and technical diagrams 

Deciphering technical diagrams and electrical blueprints is not a cakewalk. However, it is pertinent for a professional electrician to do it.

An electrical diagram is a tool that helps you find the best way to finish specific electrical projects. 

For instance, the electrical wiring charts might show you how to connect wiring to replace obsolete light fixtures or which wires to utilize to install a socket. 

Some electrical wiring charts can also show you where and how electrical installations will be spread out in a new house or a renovation project.

Therefore, an electrician should know how to comprehend pertinent documents to accomplish certain electrical tasks successfully. 

3. Inspect circuit breakers and other electrical elements 

Circuit breakers encompass us in our day-to-day routines. They are used in homes, electric vehicles, commercial buildings, and every infrastructure you can think of. 

Electrical circuits are switches that safeguard our electrical frameworks in case of a short circuit or electrical overload. 

Even though we do not realize the importance of circuit breaker panels, they form the backbone of our electrical systems. 

Therefore, an electrician must know how to inspect and deal with important electrical components like circuit breakers. 

4. Know how to test electrical systems 

Individuals generally neglect the standard reviewing and testing of electrical equipment after they have had electrical establishments in their homes or working environments for years. 

However, the law mandates testing equipment regularly. Electrical establishments will generally fall apart with time and should be routinely checked to guarantee that the inhabitants, families, and employees inside those premises are safe.

Government-issued guidelines call for customary review and testing of electrical establishments to guarantee that the establishments are protected and in great working condition.

Therefore, property owners need to get their equipment tested at regular intervals. Professional electricians must know how to test equipment so that they can prevent any major disaster from taking place.

5. Be well-acquainted with the local building regulations and the National Electric Code

National Electrical Code or NEC’s primary objective is to shield people and property from perils related to electrical installations. 

As the superior electrical code in the country, it lays out the premise for electrical well-being. Consistency with the code makes it simpler to guarantee that electrical installations are risk-free. 

Therefore, technicians must be well-versed in the NEC to conduct safe operations. As important as it is to follow the NEC, the electricians must also educate themselves about the local building regulations.

Not following the instructions issued by the builder can again risk the life of the residents. Moreover, it makes your property prone to electrical troubles. 

Hence, the electrician must know how to read, interpret, and teach the rules of the various national and local authorities.

6. Understand how to work with hand tools 

While most people realize the importance of electrical tools in the electrical profession, they do not acknowledge the significance of hand tools. 

Tape measure, flashlight, hammer, utility knife, and screwdrivers are some essential hand tools required for efficiently achieving electrical tasks. 

Accomplishing electrical work takes thought but utilizing hand devices takes practice. Having great hand and device abilities makes electricians more productive. 

Working securely with hand devices in the electrical field is significant expertise that should be persistently practiced and retained. Thus, an electrician should know how to use electrical and hand tools.

What Does an Electrician Do?

1. Repair electrical systems

Electricians perform electrical works keeping in mind the safety and distribution of components. They have the expertise to perform electrical operations on residential and commercial buildings. 

If you are not a specialist in electrical boards, wires, outlets, and the wide range of various electrical terms, you shouldn’t endeavor to make electrical fixes.

While there are a few home fixes you can attempt yourself, for example, fixing a leaky tap, electrical fixes are excluded from that list. You ought to enlist an expert circuit maintenance specialist for every electrical fix.

Therefore, electricians can repair your electrical and lighting systems in a time of need. 

2. Safeguard people and properties 

Electrical work can be life-threatening. Authorized electrical workers comply with security codes and guidelines to ensure security in your household or workspace. 

They rigorously consent to the state, neighborhood, and government electrical codes to convey top-quality electrical work while avoiding risky errors.

Therefore, based on the property type, hiring licensed electricians is integral to the well-being of you and your family or your employees. 

3. Help property owners get required electrical grants and permissions

Many people do not realize this, but there is more to an electrician’s job than just maintaining the electrical set-up of your household or workspace. 

Almost in all parts of the country, you need a licensed electrician to approve the electrical framework of your property before you can proceed with sales or any other official activity. 

These industry experts will help you acquire the necessary permits to complete your electrical work successfully. 

Therefore, apart from taking on various electrical tasks, licensed electricians can also help you out with certain official electrical tasks. 

Qualification for Electrician Job

You can acquire the necessary electrician skills by working in an electricity firm or under a professional electrician, studying for it, and via work experience. 

Here is a list of qualifications you require to gain an electrician job:

• You can only gain the job of an electrician after gaining an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship opens doors to the world of electricians for you. It helps you gain exposure.

From learning how to use complex tools like wire strippers and cable testers to working with other electricians, an apprenticeship has a lot of learnings in store for you.

Moreover, you also get paid for performing your duties. Therefore, undertaking apprenticeships give you a sneak peek into the real electrical world.

• You need to be at least 18 years of age to pursue a career in the electrical industry. 
• Some states require a valid driver’s license to become an electrician (electricians need to operate electrician vans). 
• It would help if you had a high school diploma in Algebra (at least a grade C is necessary). 
• Mandatorily passing the drug test is also required to be an electrician. 
• You should not have any criminal history. 
• Physical fitness is also a criterion for being a licensed electrician. 

How to Optimize Your Electrical Business?   

The electrical business is a field service business, which is much more complex than other regular businesses. 

It requires you to undertake many tasks, including assigning electricians, coordinating with field technicians to complete tasks, writing an electrician job description for hiring electricians, and more.

You can optimize your business by using field service management software. For the uninitiated, field service scheduling software helps you save time, energy, and money by digitizing your business’s daily operations. 

FieldCamp is a top-notch field service management app that digitizes 90% of your everyday tasks. It helps you schedule and dispatch electrical services, keep a tab on the york workforce and technicians, create reports to track the business’s progress, and keep your clients notified. 

Here is how you can optimize your electrical business with the help of a field service scheduling software like FieldCamp:

• Schedule jobs easily: You can assign jobs to your employees within a few clicks. Whether an office employee or a field technician, allocating jobs was never easy!  
• Create job descriptions efficiently: FieldCamp provides free job description templates so that you do not have to go through the hassle of writing a detailed electrician job description every time there is a vacancy.  
• Dispatch services quickly: The electrical industry is witness to a lot of electrical emergencies. In such situations, clients require your assistance quickly. With the help of FieldCamp, you can dispatch services quickly.

It helps you assign tasks to the suitable electrician, evenly distribute job opportunities without burdening the same people, access each staff member’s schedule, and refrain from assigning tasks to the absentees.

Therefore, you can keep your customers happy and give back to the industry by dispensing electrical services effectively and efficiently.

• Generate professional invoices: Professional invoices help you realize your payment on the due date and impress the client. Therefore, they are the need of the hour. FieldCamp allows you to generate expert-level invoices in a matter of minutes.

These invoices are easy to share, can be readily personalized, and help you receive the right amount at the right time.

• Make informed decisions with data-driven reports: FieldCamp allows you to generate data-driven reports. These reports can help you improve your profit margins and increase sales! 

Key Takeaways 

An electrician’s job is complex and expansive. They must indulge in several activities, including testing devices and other electrical equipment while respecting the safety procedures. 

It also requires them to use hand and power tools deftly. Therefore, it is an absolute must for electricians to be well-versed in their craft. 

They must undertake apprenticeships, follow the rules and regulations the government and local bodies laid out, and more.

Investing in good field service management software can greatly help if you want to start your electrical business. It will help you organize your business, hire efficient electricians, and keep your customers happy. 

Therefore, if you are planning to get into the electrical industry, going through our article can help you in multiple ways!