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CE Career Guide

Navy

CE: Utilitiesman

Career transition guide for Navy Utilitiesman (CE)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for CE veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Electrician

$65K
High matchHigh demand

Skills to develop:

Local electrical codes and regulationsResidential/Commercial specialization (if applicable)

Electrical Engineer

$95K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical EngineeringProfessional Engineer (PE) license

Power Plant Operator

$78K
High matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Power plant specific certificationsFamiliarity with safety protocols and environmental regulations

Telecommunications Technician

$60K
Good matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Fiber optic splicingNetwork troubleshootingSpecific vendor certifications (e.g., Cisco, Juniper)

Construction Manager

$90K
Moderate matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Project management certification (e.g., PMP)Knowledge of construction codes and safety regulationsExperience with budgeting and scheduling

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your CE training built — and where they transfer.

System Modeling

Utilitiesmen must understand the complex interplay of electrical generation and distribution systems, including potential failure points and cascading effects. They use this understanding to predict system behavior and plan for contingencies.

The ability to understand and predict the behavior of complex systems translates directly into designing, optimizing, and troubleshooting any interconnected process, from supply chains to financial markets.

Rapid Prioritization

Utilitiesmen face situations where they must quickly assess damage, prioritize repairs, and allocate resources to restore critical services under pressure. Their ability to act decisively minimizes downtime and ensures mission readiness.

The ability to rapidly assess situations and prioritize tasks makes you extremely valuable in fast-paced environments requiring quick decision-making under pressure, such as project management and emergency response.

Degraded-Mode Operations

Utilitiesmen are experts at maintaining essential services even when systems are damaged or operating outside of normal parameters. They are skilled at improvising solutions and adapting procedures to keep things running.

The experience in maintaining functionality despite adverse conditions translates into the ability to creatively solve problems and maintain productivity in challenging environments where resources are limited or unexpected disruptions occur.

Resource Optimization

Utilitiesmen are responsible for managing resources (personnel, equipment, materials) efficiently to complete projects and maintain systems. They are skilled in minimizing waste and maximizing productivity.

Your expertise in optimizing resources and managing budgets makes you an excellent candidate for roles that involve resource allocation, process improvement, and cost reduction in any organization.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Data Center Technician

SOC 49-9092

You've been maintaining critical power and cooling systems, often under pressure, for years. A data center is just a larger, more complex version of what you already know. Your skills in troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and emergency response are directly transferable.

Industrial Engineering Technician

SOC 17-3026

Your experience in optimizing electrical systems and managing resources translates well to analyzing and improving manufacturing processes. You're already adept at identifying inefficiencies and implementing solutions.

Energy Auditor

SOC 13-1199.02

You've been working with electrical systems your entire career, so you already have an understanding of energy consumption and efficiency. Your knowledge can be applied to assessing energy use in buildings and recommending improvements, contributing to sustainability efforts.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Utilitiesman 'A' School, Naval Construction Training Center, Port Hueneme, CA

640 training hours16 weeksUp to 9 semester hours in basic electricity, electrical systems, and construction technology

Topics Covered

  • Electrical Theory and Application
  • Power Generation and Distribution Systems
  • Wiring and Cabling
  • Blueprint Reading and Interpretation
  • Safety Procedures and Regulations (OSHA)
  • Troubleshooting and Maintenance of Electrical Systems
  • Grounding and Bonding
  • Electrical Protective Devices

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Electrical Journeyman License70% covered

Local electrical codes and regulations, specific requirements for residential and commercial wiring in the civilian sector.

OSHA 30-Hour Construction60% covered

OSHA-specific regulations, focus on civilian construction site safety, documentation requirements, and employee rights.

Certified Energy Manager (CEM)40% covered

In-depth knowledge of energy management principles, financial analysis of energy projects, and understanding of energy codes and standards.

Recommended Next Certifications

Project Management Professional (PMP)Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Electrical Power Distribution System (EPDS)Smart Grid Management Systems
Emergency Power Generators (EPG)Standby Generator Systems
Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) for utility automationIndustrial Automation Systems using PLCs
AN/PRC-152 Multiband Handheld RadioTwo-way radio communication systems
Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) Utilities Management ToolsBuilding Automation Systems (BAS)
Shore Power Distribution System (SPDS)Commercial Power Distribution Networks
Mobile Utilities Support Equipment (MUSE)Mobile Power Generation Units

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