What a maintenance electrician does
Maintenance electricians look after the electrical systems in buildings and facilities that are already running. They respond to breakdowns, carry out preventive maintenance, replace failed components, test emergency lighting and backup power and support small upgrades. They may work for a single facility, a property manager responsible for several buildings or a service contractor sending them to client sites across the GTA.
The certificate a maintenance electrician needs depends on the setting. Building maintenance usually calls for a 309A Electrician – Construction and Maintenance, while plant maintenance often suits a 442A Industrial Electrician. Finch clarifies this with you first, then screens candidates for the systems they have maintained, their troubleshooting approach and how well they work with tenants, facility staff and other trades.
Typical responsibilities
- Responding to electrical breakdowns and service requests
- Carrying out preventive maintenance on panels, lighting and equipment
- Testing emergency lighting and backup power systems
- Replacing and upgrading fixtures, devices and components
- Keeping maintenance records and work orders up to date
- Following lockout and tagout procedures on every job
Qualifications and credentials
- A 309A or 442A certificate of qualification, depending on the facility
- Experience in building, facility or plant maintenance
- Knowledge of the Ontario Electrical Safety Code and safe work practices
- Comfort using computerized maintenance management systems
- A valid driver's licence if the role covers multiple sites
Who hires a maintenance electrician
- Property management companies
- Hospitals, schools and other institutions
- Manufacturing and distribution facilities
- Facility services contractors
- Condominium and commercial building owners
Where we recruit maintenance electrician candidates
We fill maintenance electrician roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Certificate type and whether it fits your setting
- Systems maintained, from lighting and distribution to backup power
- Troubleshooting approach and response under time pressure
- Communication with tenants, staff and supervisors
- References from facility or maintenance managers
Interview questions to ask
- How do you prioritize several electrical work orders that arrive at the same time?
- Tell me about a recurring fault you finally solved. What was the cause?
- What does your preventive maintenance routine look like for a large building?