Electrical Power Production

What does the Electrical Power Production career field do?

Installs, removes, operates, maintains, and repairs electrical power generating and control systems, aircraft arresting systems, and associated equipment. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 166200.

Duties and responsibilities

• Installs, removes, and operates electrical power generating and control systems, automatic transfer switches, aircraft arresting systems, and associated equipment. Checks equipment for serviceability. Positions equipment such as gasoline and diesel engines, generators, switchgears, air compressors, and other power generating auxiliary equipment. Installs, positions, rewinds, and pretensions aircraft arresting systems. Certifies aircraft arresting systems as required. Checks installed equipment to ensure compliance with publications, policies, and directives. Inspects, tests, and services component systems such as safety, fuel, lubrication, cooling, air pressure, pumps, regulators, governors, and accessory equipment. Observes and interprets instruments such as ammeters, voltmeters, frequency meters, synchro scopes, automatic temperature and pressure recorders, and engine oil, fuel, and coolant gauges. Adjusts engine generator systems to maintain proper voltage, current frequency, and synchronization. Synchronizes multigenerators. Operates high and low voltage switches, circuit breakers, rheostats, and other controls on switchgear and distribution panels. Performs electrical power control and distribution functions.
• Maintains, modifies, and repairs electrical power generating and control systems, automatic transfer switches, aircraft arresting systems, and associated equipment. Performs inspections and interprets findings to determine corrective action. Identifies and records engine and generator malfunctions. Uses precision test equipment, troubleshoots malfunctions, and inspects parts for excessive wear and other conditions. Removes, repairs, and replaces defective power generating equipment components. Performs corrosion control. Inspects and replaces gauges and meters. Maintains aircraft arresting systems, including electrical, hydraulic, rewind, and pneumatic systems, and other electronic components. Bench checks components and subassemblies. Tests and calibrates repaired items. Reviews performance data and maintenance records to determine adequacy of maintenance. Interprets data related to electrical power generating and aircraft arresting systems to ensure overall mission success.
• Reviews and advises on projects associated with electrical power generating and control systems, automatic transfer switches, aircraft arresting systems, and associated equipment. Reviews layout drawings and wiring diagrams. Ensures new construction meets proper operating characteristics of equipment. Establishes maintenance and operating procedures to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Maintains records. Posts entries on operation, inspection, and maintenance records. Records meter readings, wear and alignment measurements, fuel consumption, and other data in performance logs. Furnishes information for reports and recommends changes to correct defective equipment or improve operating procedures. Complies with environmental policies.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: principles of electronics and electricity, including generation, conversion, transformation, distribution, and utilization; types, capacity, and purpose of high and low voltage circuits, circuit breakers, switches, fuses, regulators, relays, instruments, and meters associated with electric generation and distribution; interpreting instrument and meter readings; wiring diagrams, schematics, drawings, and technical publications; techniques of operating and maintaining internal combustion engines, generators, generating plants, distribution panels, and accessory equipment; repair and maintenance of aircraft arresting systems; use and purpose of test equipment; safety rules and practices; environmental policies; principles of management; and operation and repair of electrical power production systems.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school with courses in algebra and physics is desirable.

Training. The following training is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 3E032, Completion of Electrical Power Production Apprentice J3ABR3E032 00AD
• 3E072. Completion of Advanced Control Systems Cybersecurity Course (AFIT WENG 270) Note: Highly recommended for ANG and AFRES.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated:

• 3E052. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E032. Also, experience in functions such as operation and maintenance of engines, generators, and distribution components of electric power production equipment and aircraft arresting systems.
• 3E072. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3E052. Also, experience performing or supervising function such as operation and repair of electrical power production and aircraft arresting systems.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty:
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license to operate government motor vehicles (GMV) in accordance with AFI 24-301, Vehicle Operations.
• See attachment 4 for additional entry requirements.
• For entry, award, and retention, normal color vision as defined in AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations and Standards.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 3 skill level, 2 years of lack of recent performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW AFMAN 36-2100.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 5 skill level, 4 years of lack of recent performance then downgraded to 3 skill level and then 2 more years of non performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW AFMAN 36-2100.
• For retention of the AFSC if awarded 7or 9 skill level, 6 years of lack of recent performance then downgraded to 3 skill level and then 2 more years of non performance AFSC is withdrawn IAW DAFMAN 36-2100.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $31,760–$116,350 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians: $66,440
• Biofuels Processing Technicians: $58,960
• Biofuels Production Managers: $108,790
• Biomass Plant Technicians: $84,650
• Biomass Power Plant Managers: $108,790
• Control and Valve Installers and Repairers: $60,580
• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers: $46,590
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians: $67,550
• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers: $36,390
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment: $62,010
• Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay: $85,340
• Electrical Engineers: $100,830
• Electricians:$ 56,900
• First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers: $70,240
• Geothermal Technicians: $42,480
• Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: $50,590
• Helpers--Electricians: $33,840
• Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers: $31,760
• Hydroelectric Plant Technicians: $84,650
• Maintenance and Repair Workers, General: $40,850
• Power Distributors and Dispatchers: $95,100
• Power Plant Operators: $84,650
• Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators: $64,680
• Wind Energy Operations Managers: $116,350
• Wind Turbine Service Technicians: $56,230