Journeyman
Journeyman electricians—one rank above apprentice and one below master—are experienced electricians who, having completed thousands of hours of apprenticeship training and exam certification, perform electrical installation and repair work. They can work independently or with a broader team of engineers, architects, and other electricians across a variety of industries. They work fulltime and may work nights and weekends, depending on the industry and employer. Journeyman electricians may train and mentor apprentices.
Journeyman Electrician Duties and Responsibilities
For journeyman electricians with experience and licensure come additional responsibilities. Thus, during any given job or project, journeyman electricians may take on broader management and supervisory duties in addition to the electrical work they perform. Typical duties and responsibilities include the following:
Install and Service Electrical Equipment
Whether working in residential or commercial, government or private, the journeyman electrician’s bread and butter work is the installation, service, and maintenance of electrical equipment. A journeyman electrician’s work may include installing electrical wiring, outlets, lighting fixtures, or circuit-breaker panels. Journeyman electricians are also called to service malfunctioning electrical equipment, such as alarm or lighting systems.
Troubleshoot
When conducting service calls, journeyman electricians must evaluate each problem and apply their years of experience and learned knowledge to determine what remedial measures are appropriate to get the system up and running.
Promote and Maintain Safety Standards
Journeyman electricians are responsible for maintaining strict adherence to relevant industry and employer safety standards. Proper safety measures include the use of all necessary safety equipment and apparatus, as well as implementing necessary safety procedures and safeguards during any given job.
Complete and Maintain Paperwork
Journeyman electricians are often responsible for compiling and completing the variety of paperwork required for a particular job. Employers may mandate that the journeyman electrician maintain inventory records of materials used or job performance logs.
Train and Mentor Apprentices
Journeyman electricians may be responsible for working directly with apprentices and, when appropriate, directly engaging and mentoring them.
Journeyman Electrician Skills and Qualifications
Journeyman electricians are on-site and may be visible to the customer at any given time. It’s important, therefore, that the journeyman electrician not only is technically capable but also professional and courteous. Accordingly, journeyman electricians usually need the following skills: