Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Junction Electrician Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Junction Electrician Assistant supports licensed electricians and foremen on commercial, industrial, and residential projects by preparing, installing, testing, and maintaining electrical junctions, cable runs, conduit systems, and distribution equipment. This hands-on role focuses on safe, code-compliant execution of wire pulling, termination, splice work, labeling and documentation while maintaining tools, materials and housekeeping. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, safety-focused, familiar with basic electrical test equipment, and able to learn blueprints, wiring diagrams, and National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements under supervision.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

General Construction Laborer with electrical exposure
Cable Puller or Low‑Voltage Installer
Electrical Helper or Apprentice (Level 1)

Advancement To:

Licensed Junction Electrician / Journeyman Electrician
Maintenance Electrician or Industrial Electrician
Lead Electrician / Site Foreman
Electrical Supervisor / Project Electrician

Lateral Moves:

Low‑Voltage Technician (data/communications)
Instrumentation Technician or Controls Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Assist in measuring, cutting, bending and installing conduit and raceways to route power and control cables to junction boxes, panels and equipment, ensuring conduit runs meet bend radius, support and NEC spacing requirements.
Pull, feed, and dress multi‑core power and control cables into junction boxes and panels, using cable pullers, fish tapes, rollers and lubricant to prevent damage and ensure smooth routing.
Prepare and terminate cables and conductors at lugs, terminals, and connectors using crimpers, torque tools and insulated hand tools, following torque specifications and connector manufacturer instructions.
Assemble, install and secure junction boxes, transition boxes, pull boxes and distribution enclosures, making and sealing knockouts, installing bushings and grommets, and applying appropriate cable strain reliefs.
Strip insulation and splice conductors with approved splicing kits and techniques, perform solderless and mechanical splices where specified, and insulate/encapsulate splices to maintain system integrity and IP ratings.
Read and interpret electrical drawings, single line diagrams, wiring schematics and as‑built plans to locate junction points, verify circuit numbering, and confirm cable routing and phasing under the direction of a licensed electrician.
Perform pre‑energization checks and assist in powering up circuits and equipment; use multimeters, continuity testers, clamp meters and hipot/insulation resistance testers to verify proper connections, continuity, polarity and insulation integrity.
Assist in troubleshooting wiring faults, shorts, opens and ground faults in junctions and distribution systems by following systematic diagnostic procedures and under supervision isolate and repair defective terminations or splices.
Apply lockout‑tagout (LOTO) procedures and PPE protocols during all isolation, testing and access of energized junctions; assist in verifying zero‑energy state and documenting LOTO steps per company and OSHA requirements.
Label and identify cables, conduits, junction boxes and panel feeders accurately using permanent labels, heat‑shrink markers or cable tags to maintain clear circuit identification and support future maintenance.
Install cable supports, trays, clamps and ties and maintain proper cable management inside junction boxes and conduit systems to prevent physical stresses and maintain clearances from mechanical hazards.
Assist with pulling and routing low‑voltage signal, communications and control wiring into junctions while maintaining separation from high‑voltage mains per NEC requirements and project specifications.
Coordinate with electricians, foremen and subcontractors to stage materials, confirm cable delivery and placement, and schedule temporary power or shutdown windows required for junction work.
Maintain accurate daily logs and installation records including splice records, torque values, test results, material usage and redline markups for as‑built documentation and quality assurance.
Perform basic commissioning support such as verifying correct phasing, phase rotation checks, and assisting in relay and control interface verification at junction points under the direction of commissioning engineers.
Inspect junction boxes and enclosures for ingress protection, corrosion, proper gaskets and sealing; replace or repair damaged enclosures to maintain NEMA/IP ratings and ensure environmental protection of splices and terminations.
Maintain and calibrate hand tools and test equipment, report faulty tools immediately, and keep a clean, organized tool crib, replenishing consumables like grease, connectors, tapes and heat‑shrink sleeves.
Support preventative maintenance and retrofit activities by removing and replacing splices, reterminating aging connectors and assisting in upgrades to meet current code or client standards.
Follow confined space entry procedures when working in vaults or underground junction chambers, including use of gas monitors, ventilation and standby attendants per site safety plan and permit requirements.
Perform work at heights safely while installing junction boxes or cable supports on ladders, scaffolds or aerial lifts—inspecting fall protection gear and following company fall protection policies.
Respond to after‑hours emergency calls for junction failures or outages, assist in rapid field diagnosis and temporary repairs to restore service while coordinating permanent fixes with senior electricians.

Secondary Functions

Maintain material inventory for junction and termination consumables; prepare parts requisitions and assist with jobsite material staging to minimize downtime during installations.
Perform basic housekeeping of cable trenches, vaults and service corridors to ensure clear access to junctions and compliance with site safety and fire egress rules.
Update jobsite drawings and digital documentation with redline corrections after junction relocations, splices, and field modifications to support as‑built and BIM records.
Participate in toolbox talks, safety briefings and job hazard analyses; contribute observations to improve junction installation procedures and reduce rework.
Assist in training new helpers and apprentices on safe cable handling, basic termination techniques and proper tool usage as directed by the lead electrician.
Support quality control inspections by assisting supervisors with punch‑list corrections, rework of noncompliant terminations and preparation for third‑party inspections.
Coordinate with procurement and warehouse on special order connectors, gland plates and enclosures needed for complex junction configurations or hazardous area installations.
Aid in conducting routine visual inspections and thermal scanning of junction panels and terminations during preventive maintenance to identify hotspots and loose connections.
Prepare and label temporary wiring and junctions for site construction power feeds, ensuring temporary systems are installed safely and removed when permanent systems are commissioned.
Assist in implementing site‑specific electrical safety plans, emergency shutdown procedures and documentation for client audits or regulatory inspections.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in pulling, dressing and terminating multi‑core power and control cables, including experience with cable pulling equipment, fish tapes and rollers.
Conduit bending and raceway installation skills for EMT, IMC and PVC conduits including use of hand and hydraulic benders and knowledge of conduit fill/bend radius standards.
Hands‑on experience with electrical hand tools and power tools: crimpers, torque wrenches, insulated screwdrivers, hole saws, drills and reciprocating saws.
Competence using electrical test equipment: multimeter, clamp meter, insulation resistance (megger) tester, continuity tester and basic thermal imaging familiarity.
Ability to read and interpret electrical blueprints, wiring diagrams, single‑line diagrams and panel schedules to locate junctions and verify connections.
Familiarity with NEC code basics, grounding and bonding practices, and separation requirements between power and low‑voltage circuits.
Experience applying lockout‑tagout (LOTO), arc‑flash and PPE procedures, including proper selection and care of electrically rated gloves and protective equipment.
Cable termination and splicing techniques for different conductor types (copper, aluminum) and connectors including lugs, mechanical splices and heat‑shrink systems.
Knowledge of cable management solutions: tray, ladder, clamp installations and cable labeling standards for maintenance friendliness.
Basic commissioning and testing support skills: phase rotation checks, continuity verification, and assisting in insulation and hipot testing under supervision.
Confined space and working‑at‑height awareness; certified entrants or ability to obtain relevant permits and training where required.
Basic electrical math and ability to calculate conductor lengths, voltage drop estimates and conduit fill percentages.

Soft Skills

Strong safety mindset with an ability to follow safety programs, identify hazards and stop work for unsafe conditions.
Clear verbal and written communication skills for coordinating with electricians, foremen and subcontractors and for accurate documentation of work performed.
Attention to detail and quality orientation to ensure clean terminations, correct torque values and durable splice insulation.
Teamwork and collaboration in multi‑trade jobsite environments; willingness to take direction and support licensed electricians.
Problem‑solving aptitude for diagnosing cable routing issues, access challenges and assisting with practical, code‑compliant fixes.
Time management and reliability to meet installation schedules and work efficiently in fast‑paced construction settings.
Adaptability to work in varied environments (indoors, outdoors, confined spaces) and in shifting priorities on large projects.
Professionalism and client service orientation when working in occupied facilities or in customer‑facing scenarios.
Willingness to learn and progress toward higher trade certifications and licensing through apprenticeship or on‑the‑job training.
Physical stamina and dexterity to perform repetitive tasks, lift moderate loads, and work extended hours when required.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED with coursework in math, physics or industrial arts.

Preferred Education:

Vocational certificate, trade school diploma or completion of an electrical helper program.
Partial completion of an electrician apprenticeship program or technical coursework in electrical systems.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electrical Technology / Electrical Trades
Industrial Maintenance
Construction Trades / Building Technology
Electronics or Electrical Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0 to 3 years assisting electricians, cable pulling and basic termination experience preferred; entry‑level candidates with strong hands‑on aptitude may be considered.

Preferred:

1+ years of on‑site experience in commercial or industrial electrical work, exposure to junction box assembly, cable routing and termination.
Prior experience with NEC practices, LOTO procedures and use of multimeters/insulation testers; any relevant certifications (e.g., OSHA 10, basic first aid, confined space) are a plus.