Substation Inspector

This Substation Inspector will report to the Operational Engineer and will work within UKPN Services based in our Heathrow office. You will be a permanent employee. You will attract a salary of £38,832 and a bonus of 3%.

Close date: 27/04/2026

Additional Benefits:

• 25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays.
• Reservist Leave – Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid.
• Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%).
• Tenancy Loan Deposit Scheme, Season Ticket Loan.
• Tax efficient benefits: Cycle to Work, Home & Tech, and Green Car Leasing Schemes.
• Occupational Health support.
• Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers' products.
• Discounted gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Programme.

Job Purpose:

To work as part of a team or as a lone worker in the UK Power Networks Services geographical area, carrying out the full range of duties associated with Substation Inspections, including vegetation management and cleaning at substation voltages up to 33kV.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Inspection & Non-Intrusive Diagnostic Testing of all plant and apparatus associated with the HV and LV Distribution network.
• Fault location and repair of minor plant defects associated with the HV and LV Distribution network.
• Demonstrate a safety culture embracing the UKPNS stay safe programme.
• Take oil samples, if required for diagnostic testing from HV Plant.
• Reporting and completion of work orders through the Hand Held IT equipment.
• Oversee Maintenance/Project/Sub Contract staff within their working party.
• Assist team with other maintenance and project-based work.
• Be prepared to assist other sections (e.g., organisational changes and system emergencies) as determined by your skills and experience.
• Cleaning of all substation internals, including plant and apparatus associated with the HV and LV Distribution network under UKPN Services' guardianship.
• Complete the additional site visits to provide the requirements of the ESQC Regulations.
• HV and LV metre reading.
• Substation external compound vegetation pruning/removal by manual, mechanical or chemical control.
• Undertake touch-up re-decoration tasks within substations as directed.

Nature And Scope:

You will play an important role in the safe completion of the Inspection & Maintenance Programme for the Services region. You may work at any location within the Services area.

Skill And Educational Requirements:

• Educated to at least GCSE level or equivalent.
• Basic Electrical Background and able to recognise dangers within substations.
• An understanding of the Electricity at Work Act.
• Understand electrical diagrams and maps.
• Flexibility to work alone and in a team environment.
• Resolve issues in a practical way.
• Must have a full clean driving licence.
• An understanding of Health & Safety and Environmental Legislation.
• Undertake data input onto the hand held devices.
• Knowledge of chemicals and other supplies.
• Familiarity with material Safety Data Sheets.
• Familiarity with 'sharps' management.

Person Skills:

• Safety focus required.
• Determined and passionate about our goals.
• Enthusiasm to learn and develop new techniques.
• Demonstrate a five-year continuous, traceable work history to allow achieving airport security access.

Any company specific training required will be provided to the suitable candidate.

Health & Safety Responsibilities:

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment. Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied. Employees need to be aware that for some craft and operational roles that work at height, or use fall arrest devices, there is an upper weight limit of 116 Kg due to maximum safe working load of the safety equipment that is used. If in doubt ask!

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Where applicable, this role is subject to safer recruitment processes and robust pre‑employment checks.