[1] In 1956, Hill joined IBEW Local 712 in Beaver, Pennsylvania as a journeyman wireman, graduating from the apprenticeship program in 1960.
While serving as the union's business manager, Hill became active in larger labor movement issues.
Hill was also elected president of the Beaver County Central Labor Council (CLC) in 1972, serving until 1977.
He served in that position until 1994, when he was named Third District Vice President, overseeing union activities in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware.
IBEW President John Joseph "Jack" Barry appointed Hill to be secretary to fill Moore's unexpired term.
[4] Hill also built up the union's political action fund, and began its first grassroots member mobilization efforts.
Almost as soon as he took office as trustee, he fired three managers of the $6.8 billion IBEW-National Electrical Contractors Association pension fund.
Hill was appointed President on January 29, 2001 and easily won reelection to a 5-year term at the International convention, in September of that year.
[7] In 2011, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers President Edwin D. Hill was named the newest member of the AIL/NILICO Labor Advisory Board.