Power Cable Maintainer

Notice of Examination

NOTICE OF EXAMINATION
POWER CABLE MAINTAINER
Exam No. 7605
WHEN TO APPLY: From: 9/1/2026
To: 9/28/2026
APPLICATION FEE: $88.00
If you choose to pay the application fee
with a credit/debit/gift card, you will be
charged a service fee of 2.95% of the
payment amount. This service fee is
nonrefundable.
TYPE OF TEST:
Practical Skills Test
TEST DATE:
Practical Skills testing is expected to
begin on Tuesday, January 5, 2027
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Power Cable Maintainers, under supervision, maintain, install, inspect, test, alter and repair power
feeder cable systems and communication cable systems, both aerial and underground, between
generating plants, substations and circuit breaker houses, between the Main Distribution Frame Room
and the Telephone Terminal Boxes throughout the system, including: low voltage control cables,
manholes, duct lines and related appurtenances. They splice single- and three-conductor lead-covered
cables, multi-conductor and communication cables and replace faulty sections; conduct tests for faults;
handle asbestos containing materials; may be required to remove waste matter from manholes and
cableways in order to access the cables; drive motor vehicles; prepare reports; and perform related
work.
Some of the physical activities performed and environmental conditions experienced by Power Cable
Maintainers are: working outdoors in all weather conditions, climbing and descending ladders through
manholes; working in confined spaces and on elevated train tracks; climbing onto and off of train tracks;
stepping over rails and moving off of train tracks when trains approach; working in dimly lit areas; making
visual and hands-on inspections; differentiating between signals of different colors and color coded
electrical wires; communicating with co-workers and hearing the sound of approaching trains; wearing a
respirator as necessary; and carrying heavy tools and equipment.
Special Working Conditions: Power Cable Maintainers may be required to work various shifts,
including nights, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
(This brief description does not include all of the duties of this position.)
SALARY AND BENEFITS:
The current minimum salary for Power Cable Maintainers is $38.17 per hour for a 40-hour work week
increasing to $44.90 per hour in the sixth year of service. These rates are subject to change. The
benefits of this position include, but are not limited to, night and weekend salary differentials, paid
holidays, vacation and sick leave, a comprehensive medical plan and a pension plan.
HOW TO QUALIFY:
Education and Experience Requirements: By the last day of the Application Period, you must meet
the following requirements:
1. Completion of a four-year full-time electrical line worker apprenticeship, telecommunications line
worker apprenticeship or industrial electrician apprenticeship, recognized by the New York State
Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Labor or any state apprenticeship council that is
recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor; or
2. Four years of full-time journey-level (i.e., fully-trained, knowledgeable, experienced, proficient and
competent) experience as a(n):
A. Electrical line worker or power distribution electrician installing, maintaining, testing and
repairing high-voltage power distribution and transmission lines, equipment and systems,
and industrial power cables; or
B. Telecommunications line worker installing, maintaining, testing and repairing multi-
conductor communication cables in industrial applications; or
C. Industrial electrician installing, maintaining, testing and repairing high-voltage cable lines
and electrical equipment in industrial applications; or
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3. Three years of full-time journey-level (i.e., fully-trained, knowledgeable, experienced, proficient
and competent) experience in the work described under “2” above, plus completion of one of the
following listed below before obtaining your journey-level experience:
A. Two years of full-time satisfactory experience as an electrician, electrician’s helper,
apprentice or trainee performing or assisting in the work described above; or
B. Graduation from a trade or technical school with a major course of study in electrical
technology, or a closely related field, totaling 600 hours; or
C. Graduation from a vocational high school with a major course of study in electrical
technology, or a closely related field; or
D. Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate’s degree, or higher
degree, in electrical technology, or a closely related field.
If you have qualifying part-time experience, it will be credited on a prorated basis.
The following types of experience are not qualifying: general residential or commercial electrical
work installing, maintaining or repairing low-voltage (120 or 240 volts) lighting, power or climate control
systems and equipment; single-conductor communications wiring and equipment (i.e. cable TV,
intercoms, fire and security alarm systems, telephones) in residential and commercial buildings and
structures.
Education and Experience Exam: During the Education and Experience Exam (EEE), you may answer
questions about your experience. If your experience was on a part-time basis working less than 35 hours
per week, you will need to convert your part-time experience to full-time experience using the formula
below. Once you have determined your full-time experience equivalent, use this amount to answer
questions about your experience.
(number of hours worked per week/35) x (number of months worked)
For example, if you worked at a job for 21 hours per week for 12 months, you would make the following
calculation:
21/35 x 12 = 7.2 months.
You have until midnight Eastern time on the last day of the Application Period (9/28/2026) to
clearly specify in detail all of your relevant education and experience and Final Submit your
Education and Experience Exam in the Online Application System (OASys). Once you Final
Submit your Education and Experience Exam in OASys, you will not be permitted to submit new
or additional information on your Education and Experience Exam online.
If you do not Final Submit your Education and Experience Exam in OASys by midnight Eastern
time on the last day of the Application Period (9/28/2026), your examination will be considered
incomplete, you will not receive a score, you will not be invited to subsequent portions of this
examination (if applicable), and your application fee will not be refunded.
The vocational high school, technical school, or trade school must be approved by a State’s Department
of Education or a recognized accrediting organization. The college or university must be accredited by
regional, national, professional or specialized agencies recognized as accrediting bodies by the U.S.
Secretary of Education, and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
You are responsible for determining whether you meet the qualification requirements for this examination
prior to applying. You may be given the test(s) and/or assessment(s) before we determine if you meet
the qualification requirements. If you are marked “Not Qualified,” your application fee will not be
refunded, and you will not receive a score.
Foreign Education Fact Sheet (required only if you need credit for your foreign education for this
examination): If you were educated outside the United States, you must have your foreign education
evaluated to determine its equivalence to education obtained in the United States. The services that are
approved to make this evaluation, as well as instructions on how to submit this evaluation are listed in
the Foreign Education Fact Sheet, which will be attached to this Notice of Examination during the
application period. When you contact the evaluation service, ask for a “document-by-
document” (general) evaluation of your foreign education. Your foreign education evaluation must be
submitted directly to MTA New York City Transit’s Examinations Unit by the service completing the
evaluation. Foreign education evaluations received directly from applicants will not be accepted. You
may also visit http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/forms_instructions.htm to access the Foreign Education Fact
Sheet on our website.
Note: If you have earned a higher-level degree in the United States that supersedes the level and type
of education required to meet the qualification requirements, you do not need to submit a foreign
education evaluation. However, you must indicate that you have completed the higher-level degree in
the United States; proof of acceptance into an academic program or school is not sufficient to determine
satisfactory equivalency.
THE TEST:
You will be given a competitive practical skills test. A score of at least 70% is required to pass this test.
Your score on this test will be used to determine your place on the eligible list.
You will be scheduled to take the test as indicated in the above “Test Date” box. You will be assigned to a
test date and location, and you cannot request that your scheduled test date or location be changed,
unless you meet the conditions in the “Special Test Accommodations” subsection below.
Veterans’ or Disabled Veterans’ Credit will be granted only to eligible passing candidates who request
that they be applied. Veterans’ or Disabled Veterans’ Credit should be requested at the time of
application but must be requested before the date the eligible list is established. Claims for Veterans’ or
Disabled Veterans’ Credit cannot be made once the eligible list is established.
The competitive practical skills test may measure your knowledge, skills and abilities in the following and
other related areas:
• Communication Cable Systems: Ability to inspect, install, maintain, repair and test
communication cable systems utilizing safe work practices.
◦ Example: Test and splice power telephone cables
• Power Cable Feeder Systems: Ability to inspect, install, maintain, repair and test power cable
feeder systems utilizing safe work practices.
◦ Example: Make knots and rig a manhole for cable pulling
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• Tool Usage: Knowledge of hand tools, power tools and/or multi-purpose tools and their proper
and safe usage in the electrical trade.
◦ Example: Using a multimeter to troubleshoot a circuit
• Blueprint Reading: Ability to read and interpret drawings and to perform the requisite
mathematical calculations
◦ Example: Read and interpret blueprints to determine both the location of a cable duct within
a geographical area and the location of cable ducts within the transit system
Candidates for this exam will be given the option to select one of two Practical Skills sub-tests:
1. Power Cable Feeder Sub-test, or
2. Communication Cable Sub-test
The candidates will make their choice at the test site and once selected, their choice is irrevocable.
HOW TO APPLY:
If you believe you meet the requirements in the "How to Qualify" section, apply using the Online
Application System (OASys) at https://a856-mtaexams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/home. Follow the onscreen
application instructions for electronically submitting your application, payment, and completing any
required information. A unique and valid email address is required to apply online. Several internet
service providers, including but not limited to Google, Yahoo!, AOL, Outlook.com, and Mail.com offer free
email addresses. All new OASys accounts require verification before a candidate can apply to
ensure the accuracy of candidate information. Verification is instantaneous for most accounts
and you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to activate your account. For any
account creation issues, you will receive onscreen prompts to contact the Examinations Unit.
This review may require approximately five (5) business days to be reviewed and resolved.
Please keep this information and the application period deadline in mind when creating your
account.
The following methods of payment are acceptable: major credit card, bank card associated with a bank
account, or a prepaid debit card with a credit card logo which you may purchase online or at various
retail outlets. If you are receiving or participating in certain forms of public assistance/benefits/programs,
or are a veteran, you may qualify to have the application fee waived.
If you are requesting a fee waiver, you must, by October 12, 2026, submit documentation supporting
your fee waiver request by mail to Power Cable Maintainer, Exam No. 7605, MTA New York City Transit,
149 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, Attn: Exam Administration, 3rd Floor, Room 3.600. You must
include your full name, last 4 digits of your Social Security Number (SSN), your Applicant ID Number (if
known), your online application confirmation number, and the exam title and number with your request.
For fee waiver request documentation requirements, please refer to the Fee Waiver Request Guide,
which is accessible online at http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/forms_instructions.htm and will be attached to
this Notice of Examination during the application period.
You must complete the entire application by midnight, Eastern Time, of the last day of the application
period. If you have questions about applying for this examination, you may contact the Examinations
Unit at [email protected].
Application for Examination: Follow the online instructions, including those relating to the payment of
fee and, if applicable, those found in the Special Circumstances Guide which is located in the "Special
Test Accommodations" section below.
IMPORTANT: Your application submission confirms that you have read this Notice of Examination,
including any dates and the requirements.
Application Fee: This fee is generally not refundable. Under special circumstances, you may be entitled
to a refund. Please refer to the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (“DCAS”) General Exam
Regulation E.3.4 to determine if you are entitled to a refund. Please visit
http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/forms_instructions.htm to access the DCAS General Exam Regulations
online. Application fee refund requests, along with any relevant supporting documentation, should be
emailed to [email protected] or mailed to the address in the “Correspondence” section below.
If you submit an application for this open competitive examination and you also submit an application for
the promotional examination for Promotion to Power Cable Maintainer, Exam No. 7705, you will only be
permitted to take the test(s) for this title one time. Please note that the promotional examination is only
open to employees in certain job titles as described in the “Eligibility to Take Examination” section on the
promotional Notice of Examination.
Special Test Accommodations: If you plan to request an alternate test date due to your religious
observance or special test accommodations due to disability, please follow the instructions included in
the Special Circumstances Guide, which is accessible online at
http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/forms_instructions.htm and will be attached to this Notice of Examination
during the application period. An alternate test date due to religious observance must be requested no
later than 15 days prior to the date on which testing is expected to begin. Special test accommodations
due to disability must be requested no later than 30 days prior to the date on which testing is expected to
begin.
Make-Up Tests: You may apply for a make-up test if you cannot take the test as scheduled for any of
the following reasons:
1. Compulsory attendance before a public body; or
2. On-the-job injury or illness caused by municipal employment where you are an officer or employee
of the City; or
3. Absence from the test within one week after the death of a spouse, domestic partner, parent,
parent-in-law, sibling, child, or child of a domestic partner where you are an officer or employee of
the City; or
4. Absence due to ordered military duty; or
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5. A clear error for which the Examinations Unit is responsible; or
6. A temporary disability; or
7. Pregnancy, childbirth or a related medical condition.
To request a make-up test, submit your request with documentation of the special circumstances that
caused you to miss your test (as attachments) by email to [email protected] or by mail to the
address in the “Correspondence” section below as soon as possible.
Late Filing for MTA New York City Transit Provisional Employees: Refer to the “Correspondence”
section below to contact the Examinations Unit to determine the procedure for submitting a late
application. You may submit a late application if you:
1. Are provisionally employed in the title for which the examination is administered and were absent
from work for at least one-half of the application period and cannot apply for reasons such as
vacation, sick leave, or military duty; or
2. Were appointed provisionally to the title for which the examination is administered after the
application period closed but before the date on which testing is expected to begin.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Change of Contact Information: It is critical that you keep your contact information (i.e., telephone
number, mailing address and email address) current with your employer. You may miss important
information about your exam(s) or consideration for appointment or promotion, including important
information that may require a response from you by a specified deadline, if we do not have your correct
contact information. To update your contact information, follow the applicable instructions below:
Current employees must:
• Visit the employee portal at www.mymta.info to update your contact information through the “BSC”
and
• Update this information on your Profile page in OASys by logging into your OASys account and
navigating to your Dashboard, then your Profile tab at https://a856-
mtaexams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/home
External candidates must:
• Update this information on your Profile page in OASys by logging into your OASys account and
navigating to your Dashboard, then your Profile tab at https://a856-
mtaexams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/home
Personal Information Update: If there are changes to your name and/or social security number you
must use the Correction Form and follow all instructions for changing your name and/or social security
number with the Examinations Unit. The following link will provide you with the MTA Correction
Form: https://www.mta.info/document/170711.
All other correspondence should be sent to [email protected] and must include “Power Cable
Maintainer, Exam No. 7605” in the Subject. Alternatively, you can mail your correspondence to the
following address:
Power Cable Maintainer, Exam No. 7605
MTA New York City Transit
149 Pierrepont Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Attn: Exam Administration, 3rd Floor, Room 3.600
TEST SITE REQUIREMENTS:
Your Admission Letter will be available on your Dashboard in OASys 14 days before the first date on
which testing is expected to begin. A paper copy of the Admission Letter is your ticket for admission to
the test.
Applicants must keep their email address up to date. Please refer to the “Correspondence” section
above for instructions on how to update your email address and other contact information.
Warning: You are not permitted to enter the test site with cellular phones, smart watches, smart glasses,
beepers, pagers, cameras, portable media players, or other electronic devices. Calculators are not
permitted. Electronic devices with an alphabetic keyboard or with word processing or data recording
capabilities such as planners, organizers, etc. are prohibited. If you use any of these devices in the
building at any time before, during or after the test, you may not receive your test results, your test score
may be nullified, and your application fee will not be refunded.
You may not have any other person, including children, present with you while you are being processed
for or taking the test and no one may wait for you inside of the test site while you are taking the test.
You are also not permitted to use on site any medical assistive devices, including those that give
notifications or alerts, or that vibrate, without the prior express written authorization of the Examinations
Unit. You can contact the Examinations Unit by email at: [email protected].
Required Identification: You are required to bring one (1) form of valid (non-expired) signature
and photo bearing identification to the test site. The name that was used to apply for the exam must
match the first and last name on the photo ID. A list of acceptable identification documents is provided
below. If you do not have an acceptable ID, you may be denied testing. Acceptable forms of
identification (bring one) are as follows: State issued driver’s license, State issued identification card, US
Government issued Passport, US Government issued Military Identification Card, US Government
issued Alien Registration Card, IDNYC, Employer ID with photo, or Student ID with photo.
Leaving: You must leave the test site once you finish the test. If you leave the test site after being
fingerprinted but before finishing the test, you will not be permitted to re-enter. If you disregard this
instruction and re-enter the test site, you may not receive your test results, your test score may be
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nullified, and your application fee will not be refunded.
THE TEST RESULTS:
If you meet the education and experience requirements and pass the competitive practical skills test,
your name will be placed in final score order on an eligible list and you will be given a list number. You
will be notified by email of your test results. If you meet all the requirements and conditions, you will be
considered for appointment when your name is reached on the eligible list.
If you believe that your test results were rated incorrectly, you may submit an appeal of your score to the
Examinations Unit through OASys. Your appeal must give specific reasons why your score should be
higher. Your appeal may result in a higher or lower rating.
To access the appeal portal of OASys, please log into your OASys account at https://a856-
mtaexams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/home and use the following steps:
1. Navigate to the Dashboard for the Appeals tab
2. Click the NEW APPEAL button to create and submit your appeal
3. Select the exam from the Exam drop-down list, and
4. Select the exam part from the Exam Part drop-down list
5. Select the reason for your appeal from the Appeal Reason drop-down list (if applicable)
6. Enter the details of your appeal by providing specific reasons why your score should be higher
REQUIREMENTS TO BE APPOINTED:
Driver License Requirement: At the time of appointment, you must have a Motor Vehicle Driver
License valid in the State of New York with no disqualifying restrictions that would preclude the
performance of the duties of this title. If you have serious moving violations, a license suspension or an
accident record you may be disqualified. This license must be maintained for the duration of your
employment in the title.
Medical Requirement: Medical guidelines have been established for this position. You will be examined
to determine whether you can perform the essential functions of the position. Where appropriate, a
reasonable accommodation will be provided for a person with a disability to enable such person to
perform the essential functions of the job.
Drug Screening Requirement: You must pass a drug screening in order to be appointed, and if
appointed, you will be subject to random drug and alcohol tests for the duration of your employment.
Additionally, if you have tested positive on a drug or alcohol test or had a refusal to test during pre-
employment or while employed by a Federal DOT-regulated employer during the applicable period, you
must have completed the Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) evaluation, referral and
education/treatment process required by federal law in order to be appointed to this safety-sensitive
position.
Residency: New York City residency is not required for this position.
English Requirement: You must be able to understand and be understood in English to perform the
duties and responsibilities of the position.
Proof of Identity: Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, you must be able to prove
your identity and your right to obtain employment in the United States prior to employment with any MTA
agency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Training: You may be required to undergo a formalized training course during your probationary period.
Failure to successfully complete the training course may result in termination. Additionally, you may be
required to attend certain safety classes and meet safety certification requirements in accordance with
MTA New York City Transit policies.
Safety Certification: You must obtain a New York State Department of Labor asbestos handling
certificate by the end of your probationary period. If you fail to do so, you may be terminated. This
certification must be maintained for the duration of your employment.
Probationary Period: You will be required to complete a probationary period. If you do not successfully
complete the probationary period, you may be terminated.
Promotion Examination: A promotion examination for this title is being held for eligible New York City
Transit employees. The names appearing on the promotion list will be considered first in filling
vacancies.
Application Receipt: You will be emailed a receipt immediately after you have applied for the
examination. If you do not receive this receipt, check the "Junk", "Trash", or "Spam" folders for the
primary email linked to your OASys account. If you are unable to locate the email, you can view a
summary of the notification email by clicking the Notifications tab on your OASys dashboard. If you are
still unable to locate the email, please email the Examinations Unit via the Contact feature available in
OASys with a description of the issue, and include the exam number and your profile number located on
your OASys Profile page. While on your Profile page, check that the email addresses you provided are
correct and/or updated.
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PENALTY FOR MISREPRESENTATION:
Any intentional misrepresentation on the application or examination may result in disqualification, even
after appointment, and may result in criminal prosecution.
Exam No. 7605 - Page 6
The General Examination Regulations of the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) apply to this examination and are part of this
Notice of Examination, and they are accessible through our website at http://web.mta.info/nyct/hr/forms_instructions.htm
MTA New York City Transit is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Title Code No. 91736; The Rapid Transit Railroad Service; Group I - Per Diem and Per Hour Positions
Application Period Opened: 9/1/2026

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