Trainee Civil

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Date: Aug 5, 2025

Location: San Antonio, TX, US, 78205

Company: CPS Energy

We are engineers, high line workers, power plant managers, accountants, electricians, project coordinators, risk analysts, customer service operators, community representatives, safety and security specialists, communicators, human resources partners, information technology technicians and much, much more. We are 3,500 people committed to enhancing the lives of the communities we serve.  Together, we are powering the growth and success of our community progress every day!

Pay Grade

Wage Scale

 

Deadline to Apply: August 12, 2025

Position Summary

The Trainee position is an entry level skilled craft position with a line of progression (LOP). Steps through the line of progression will require successful completion of training and on the job proficiency demonstrations. Trainees must be able to pull call duty, work scheduled and unscheduled overtime, be available for storm restoration and deploy out of town on mutual assistance with CPSE crews for up to 2 weeks when events occur. Trainee areas:

 

Distribution Underground and Downtown Network (UIO) - Underground – Construction & maintenance of underground electric distribution infrastructure; Downtown Network – Will work in confined space (manholes and vaults). UIO Civil Trainee progresses to Operator and Maintains and operates all Underground Civil Support equipment, crane, easy hauler, mini excavators, mini skid steers, backhoes, rock saws, ladder saws, cable pullers, and loaders. Coordinates all work with the Underground Civil Support Foreman and UIO crews. Starts as general trainee then progresses to operator all equipment then foreman civil support through line of progression

 

Substation - Construction and maintenance of the high voltage infrastructure utilized to bring the electricity from Generation (power plants) to Transmission (higher voltage) to Substations (step down voltage). Substation Civil Trainee Employees will start as an Electric Trainee in the Civil craft and learn needed skills to construct all substation/transmission below grade infrastructure. Substation Trainee will progress to All Equipment Operator and operate all Substation equipment, crane, mini excavators, skid steers, backhoes, rock saws, ladder saws and loaders. Must also obtain a fixed and swing cab NCCCO crane operator license prior to the end of the 3rd year from date of hire. The Trainee will progress to positions of Operator All Equipment and Foreman Civil Support through line of progression.

 

Gas - The General Trainee (Gas) is an entry level position that completes work orders associated with providing gas service to residential and commercial customers. Perform the initial customer contact to determine the actual problem and make a judgment on the criticality of repairs required.  Turn gas meters (commercial/residential) on and/or off.  Conduct investigations for gas leaks, check gas pressure, light appliances and inspect for gas code compliance. Set, repair, and replace gas meters, rebuild risers and regulators, install regulators and assist performing various inspections and maintenance on equipment. Turn on/off residential electric meters and all types of gas meters. Entering work orders, vehicle fueling and basic maintenance, familiarity with CPSE gas procedures and standards, attends and successfully completes a 12-week Trainee course and associated equipment training. Trainee will progress to Apprentice then either to a Journeyman or Foreman position in the various areas of Gas Operations and Construction.
 

 

*Department placement will be based on business needs for approved vacancies*


 

Tasks and Responsibilities

Trainee UIO & Substation

  • Operate any and all CPS equipment (i.e. Excavator, Front Loader, Back Hoe, Easy Hauler, Dump Truck, skid loader, and Crane fixed) required to complete construction assignments for EDS and other departments throughout the company.
  • When not operating equipment will assist foreman and crew leader with daily duties.
  • Drive CPS truck to all job sites.
  • Entering work orders and using MDT.
  • Assist the Foreman in giving direction to the Construction crew.
  • Work collaboratively with the different areas within EDS and or any internal/external stakeholders.
  • Works in and around energized and de-energized equipment.
  • Different work schedules (4-5-day work week) (8- or 10-hour days) Holidays, Nights, Weekends with overtime when necessary and Call duty.
  • Coordinates with TXDoT operations.
  • Assist by recognizing and pointing out hazards on the job site.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Trainee Gas

  • Turn gas meters (commercial/residential) on and/or off. Conduct investigations for gas leaks, check gas pressure, light appliances and inspect for gas code compliance.
  • Set, repair, and replace gas meters, rebuild risers and regulators, install regulators.
  • Drive CPS Energy truck to all job sites.
  • Entering work orders and using MDT.
  • Assist Journeyman with daily duties.
  • Assist the Foreman in giving direction to the Construction crew.
  • Operate any and all CPS Energy equipment (i.e. Mini Excavator, Back Hoe, and Dump Truck) required to complete construction assignments for Gas and other departments throughout the company.
  • Work collaboratively with the different areas in Gas Operations & Construction.
  • Different work schedules and shifts (4-5-day work week) (8 or 10 hour days) holidays, nights, weekends with overtime when necessary and call duty
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
     

Minimum Skills

Minimum Knowledge and Abilities

Must pass Reading, Mechanical and Math assessment testing.
Experience working outdoors in a construction environment or comparable field.
Basic mathematics and measurements skills.
Ability to climb in and out of trenches and work at high elevations.
Ability to work in confined spaces such as manholes, trenches and vaults.
Ability to read, write, and understand verbal and written instructions.
Ability to read design sketches, one-line diagrams, blueprints and schematics.
Ability to read and understand equipment manuals.
Ability to understand load charts for safe crane operations.
Ability to understand safety, company policies and standards
A valid Texas driver’s license with a history of safe driving record in accordance with CPS Energy policies, procedures, safety standards and applicable laws and regulations.
Ability to drive various size of company vehicles.
Ability to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (Class A) within 120 days of being hired and have a safe driving record.
Ability to successfully complete training and OJT training requirements.
Ability to distinguish colors.
Ability to use hand tools.
Ability to Clean tools, equipment, materials and specified work areas as needed.
Ability to follow specific orders as given by skilled worker or foreman.
For candidates interested in Sub-Station Civil Construction:
Must obt a NCCCO Lic (Natl Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators) for Fixed cab & swing cab cranes w/in the first 36 months & maintain that certi while a Substation Gen Trainee & Equip Oper. Failure to do so will result in term or demotion.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of Construction Procedures including blueprints, construction drawings, and sketches.
  • Experience operating construction equipment (i.e. Excavator, Front Loader, Back Hoe, Easy Hauler, Dump Truck, and Crane both fixed and swing cab).
  • Familiarity with construction procedures and standards.

Competencies

Serving Customers
Demonstrating Self-Insight and Awareness
Demonstrating Initiative
Acting Decisively
Working Safely

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED Equivalent

Required Certifications

Working Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration.
The employee is exposed to a variety of extreme weather conditions at construction job sites. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud. Confined spaces and exposure to multiple hazards.

Physical Demands

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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and have normal sense of smell. This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, and climbing all day.
The employee must frequently lift or move items up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move items up to 100 pounds.
Specific vision abilities req by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work indoors and outdoors in extreme temperatures to the extent of the weather conditions.

CPS Energy does not discriminate against applicants or employees. CPS Energy is committed to providing equal opportunity in all of its employment practices, including selection, hiring, promotion, transfers and compensation, to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or any other protected status. CPS Energy will comply with all laws and regulations.


Nearest Major Market: San Antonio
Job Segment: Power Plant Operator, Electrical, High Voltage, Power Plant, Civil Engineer, Energy, Engineering

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