Substation Maintainer

Substation Maintainer

Salary

$59.58 - $67.70 Hourly

Location

San Jose, CA 95134-1927, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-MLJ-SSM

Division

Operations

Department

Maintenance Operations Administration

Opening Date

05/20/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

The Position

VTA is seeking a skilled and dedicated Substation Maintainer to join our team. This role will be responsible for the maintenance, repair, and inspection of electrical substations with 750 volt DC and 11,000 - 22,000 volts AC power.

About Way, Power & Signal Maintenance

Way, Power & Signal Maintenance is responsible for timely and reliable maintenance, preventive maintenance, inspections, repair and servicing of the light rail right-of-way, rail system power, tracks, signals, station facilities and related equipment. Components of the Way, Power & Signal unit are:

• Station & Wayside Maintenance: Station & Wayside Maintenance maintains and repairs (including graffiti removal) light rail stations, terminal buildings, restrooms, park & ride lots, landscaping, fences, guardrails, and other trackside areas.

• Track Maintenance: Track Maintenance maintains (including right-of-way weed eradication, vegetation control, and graffiti removal), performs preventive maintenance, inspects, services and repairs rail, switches, ties, roadbed, and track systems.

• Power Maintenance: Power Maintenance maintains (including trackside right-of-way tree trimming), performs preventive maintenance, inspects, repairs, and services light rail electric power systems, including overhead, substations, lighting, and other electrical systems.

• Signal Maintenance: Signal Maintenance maintains, performs preventive maintenance, inspects, repairs, and services signal systems, crossing gates, fare machines, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) controls, and station audio/video equipment.

What you will be doing:

Definition

Under general supervision, the Substation Maintainer performs journey level tests, maintains, repairs, and overhauls electrical substation equipment.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Substation Maintainer position is a highly skilled and detail-oriented professional with a strong background in electrical maintenance, particularly in substation environments. This individual is dedicated to ensuring the reliability and safety of electrical systems through meticulous maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County's authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation-related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit-oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county's congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for county wide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family-Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family-friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family-friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Essential Job Functions

Typical Tasks

• Inspects, adjusts and/or repairs voltage in the line, battery systems, circuit breakers, relays, and connections;
• Tests, maintains and overhauls rectifiers;
• Repairs fan motors and blower motors;
• Repairs air blast breakers and cathode breakers;
• Repairs electronic circuit boards;
• Operates welding equipment;
• Keeps tools and equipment clean and in good condition;
• Keeps substations clean;
• Drives trucks;
• May provide lead supervision and assist in training other workers;
• Prepares written reports, documents defects and repairs on inspection forms, work orders or designated computer programs;
• Operates computer for related data input and retrieval;
• Performs related work as required.

Opened continuously until vacant positions are filled.

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Possession of a valid California Class C drivers license and the ability to qualify for and maintain a Class A license.

Training and experience equivalent to a high school diploma and five (5) years of experience in electrical inspections, maintenance, and repair, preferably on high voltage substations. The completion of a recognized apprenticeship program for electricians or equivalent can be included as part of the required years of experience.

Must be available to work weekends, holidays, odd and unusual hours.

• In accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, all job applicants selected for appointment to this safety-sensitive position are subject to pre-employment drug testing. A final job applicant will be tested for five prohibited drugs (and their metabolites): Cocaine, PCP, Amphetamines, Marijuana, and Opiates. During employment, employees holding safety-sensitive positions (Bus Drivers) are subject to random, reasonable suspicion, post accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up drug and alcohol testing.
• In accordance with Federal Regulation 49 CFR Part 40.25, VTA is required to obtain all information regarding any positive drug test results, any alcohol test results of .04 or above, any refusal to test, and any records of evaluation and/or treatment resulting from such tests from current, previous, and potential employers for the past two years.
• You will be required to complete and sign a "Drug and Alcohol Background Check Consent Form" if you are offered this position.
• Candidates will be required to be fingerprinted for the purpose of obtaining "Summary Criminal History Conviction Information" from state and federal record agencies.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge of:

• Methods and procedures used to repair and maintain high voltage electrical systems;
• Theory and principles of electrical and electronic equipment and circuits;
• Tools and equipment used in the testing and repair of electrical and electronic equipment and installations;
• Principles and practices of electrical construction and installation;
• General shop safety procedures;
• Welding procedures used in electrical work;
• Laws, ordinances, and regulations governing electrical installation, maintenance, safety, and accident prevention.

Ability to:

• Test and repair electrical and electronic equipment and installations;
• Work independently and safely with 750 volt DC and 11,000 - 22,000 volts AC power;
• Perform work in compliance with safety rules and regulations;
• Operate welding equipment used in electrical work;
• Read and interpret construction plans, specification and electronic schematics, diagrams, and maintenance manuals;
• Estimate costs for time, labor and materials;
• Maintain records;
• Prepare written reports, document defects and repairs on inspection forms, work orders, or designated computer programs;
• Perform computer-related functions that allow for data input and retrieval;
• Assign and review the work of and train others;
• Learn and stay current on all new technologies introduced into the transit industry as it relates to electrified rail;
• Effectively read, understand, and use technical information found in repair manuals, service change bulletins, and applicable technical documents, including parts and supply manuals;
• Establish and maintain effective relations with those encountered in day-to-day performance of tasks.

General Application Instructions

Please read this job announcement in its entirety before applying. We recommend printing or saving a copy for future reference.

To be considered, applications must be submitted online through the Human Resources department by the posted deadline. If the job posting is listed as "continuous," we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the posting may close without prior notice. Once your application is submitted, you will receive an immediate email confirmation.

Personalized responses to Supplemental Questions that connect your past experiences to this specific role are the most effective. AI-generated content may lack the specificity required to address the key criteria outlined in the job description. While we encourage the use of AI as a tool to enhance your work, we want to evaluate your non-AI-assisted communication skills. You may use AI to generate ideas, but please ensure your final responses are in your own voice and reflect your unique experience. Overreliance on AI-generated content is discouraged and may diminish your chances of success.

Important: Only online applications will be accepted for this recruitment. We do not accept paper applications, resumes, Job Interest Notification Cards, or incomplete/unsubmitted applications in place of a fully completed application.

Communication & Contact Information

All updates regarding your application-including notices for testing and interviews-will be sent via email. Be sure to select email as your preferred method of communication and maintain a valid, up-to-date email address. Applicants are also responsible for keeping their phone numbers and mailing addresses current in their online profiles.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual updates. Please check your application status through your online account. For technical support, contact NEOGOV at (855) 524-5627, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (PST), excluding holidays.

Application Review & Processing

All current and prior relevant work experience-including experience with VTA-must be fully detailed in the Work Experience section of your application. Entries such as "see resume" are not acceptable. Incomplete or improperly completed applications may be rejected, even if you meet the minimum qualifications.

While you are welcome to upload a resume, it does not substitute for completing the online application in full. Be sure that your application accurately reflects the education and experience necessary for the position.

Applications are reviewed throughout the recruitment process to determine whether candidates meet the minimum qualifications. Meeting these minimums or advancing through any stage does not guarantee further consideration. Any misrepresentation or falsification of qualifications, experience, education, or training may result in disqualification and/or exclusion from future employment opportunities with VTA.

This classification is represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). Wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement between VTA and the union.

Tentative Examinations:

Written: Mid to Late June

Conditions of Employment

Final candidates must successfully complete a Livescan background check, reference checks, verification of education or certifications, and a criminal history review before appointment.

For sensitive positions, VTA requires all safety-sensitive positions to have a 6-month DOT physical clearance. Obtained at the time of preboarding from a VTA-contracted Concentra Location.

Eligibility List

The established Eligible List from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancies and additional vacancies that may occur. Eligible Lists typically remain in effect for six (6) months. However, Human Resources may abolish Eligible Lists at any time during the six (6) month period. Human Resources may extend eligible Lists for up to two (2) years. Eligible Lists may be used for more than one recruitment.

Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodations

VTA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the recruitment and examination process. To request an accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Department at (408) 321-5575 or emailPersonnel@vta.orgat least five business days before the test.

Equal Employment Opportunity

VTA is an equal employment opportunity employer. VTA does not and will not tolerate discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, color, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, national, origin, immigration status, political affiliation, race, religion, creed, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, medical condition, disabled veteran or veteran status, etc.

VTA offers a generous benefit package including: a defined benefit pension plan, vision care, a choice of health plans, dental coverage, an employee assistance program, life insurance, transit passes, and liberal holiday, vacation, and sick leave. A credit union and deferred compensation plan are also available to employees at their option. Detailed information on VTAs benefits may be found here: https://app.strivebenefits.com/santa-clara-valley-transportation-authority

ATU employees hired on or after January 1, 2016 contribute one-half of the "normal cost" toward the required employee contribution to the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority-Amalgamated Transit Union (SCVTA-ATU), Local 265 Pension Plan effective 01/01/16 (1/8/16 pay date).

Social Security taxes will be deducted from each employees bi-weekly salary.

As a condition of employment, each employee in this class must sign a payroll deduction authorization form providing for deduction of ATU union membership dues.

01

I acknowledge that I have accurately entered my Work Experience and Education on the employment application, and I am aware these are required fields. If they are not completed, the application is considered incomplete, and I will be disqualified as an applicant for the position. Candidates found to have exaggerated/falsified any aspect of the application, including but not limited to: their qualifications, experience, training, and/or education may be disqualified at any point in the recruitment process and may be denied future employment with the VTA.

I have read this information and am aware of the importance of accurately entering in all Work Experience and Education on the employment application.

• Yes
• No

02

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has implemented updates to Limited Term Legal Presence Commercial Driver's License (CDL) requirements. Please review the information at the following link before responding: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/important-changes-to-limited-term-legal-presence-cdl-requirements/ Do you understand that you must meet all California DMV legal presence requirements to obtain and maintain a valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL) required for this position?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you available to work weekends, holidays, and odd and unusual hours?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess at least a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

05

Describe your experience working with high-voltage equipment, including any experience in a substation environment.

06

Describe your experience working on substation equipment (e.g. transformers, circuit breakers, relays, etc.)?

07

Describe a time you diagnosed and repaired faulty equipment. What was the issue and how did you resolve it?

Required Question

Employer Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Address 3331 North First Street, Bldg. B-1

San Jose, California, 95143

Phone 4083215504

Website http://www.vta.org