Lineman Apprentice

Position Function SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Journeyman Lineman, the Apprentice Lineman is responsible for building, maintaining, and repairing overhead and underground power distribution lines within the scope of his/her training and certification in a safe and efficient manner within accepted operations standards.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Prepares vehicles for construction or maintenance projects to include fueling, loading poles, stocking materials and supplies, and inspecting machinery and equipment.

Performs preventive maintenance on bucket truck and digger.

Drives and operates bucket truck, digger, trencher, forklift, and skid loader to frame and set poles, lay wire, tie wire, connect and disconnect services, and tree trimming

Works with senior apprentices and journeyman to construct and maintain power lines within the scope of training and certification. Climbs poles of all types and performs jobs required of linemen off the poles, including changing out of arms, transformers, conductors, etc.

Must be able to climb and work off poles as required.

Inspects existing power lines looking for problems, trouble shoots problems, and retires old power lines as required.

Responds to power outages and customer problems and trouble shoots to restore power in a timely manner.

May assist in the training of less-experienced apprentice linemen

Studies and learns required job knowledge and skills in order to advance in a timely manner through the complete apprenticeship program.

Maintains current knowledge of equipment, RUS specifications, OSHA regulations, mapping system, and other operational and regulatory systems related to the responsibilities of the position.

Promotes electric use by taking every opportunity to acquaint the consumers with the productive uses of electricity; obtaining increased member and public understanding of the Cooperative's objectives, plans and programs, and of rural electrification in general.

Other Information

Provides customer service as needed and appropriate, manages assigned key customer accounts through regular direct contact to ensure customer satisfaction and on-going communication. The Apprentice Lineman, under the supervision of the Operations Manager or his/her designee is responsible for ensuring the continuous performance and reliability of the cooperative's 5,000 miles of distribution lines. Within the parameters dictated by managers and foremen, Cooperative policy and applicable RUS, OSHA, DOT, PUC and other regulatory requirements, this position has limited autonomy and latitude to identify and solve problems and make decisions necessary to manage the operation of the electric distribution system dependent on training, experience, and certification.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Department

Operations. This department is responsible for the physical equipment and plant involved in safely and efficiently distributing electricity to each member consumer. This includes construction and maintenance of electric distribution equipment & facilities. Resolving emergency/ hazardous conditions, resolving consumer trouble calls, and developing system upgrades for system. There are also contacts with the power supplier, consulting engineers and other people involved in the utility business.

Reporting Relationships

The Apprentice Lineman has no direct supervisory authority, although the Apprentice Lineman may be given functional authority over specific projects or areas of responsibility as specified in this position description or otherwise delegated by the Operations Manager.

Coordinates or Cooperates with:

Internal

Operations Manager Requests advice and assistance and confers on operational and personnel problems; provides advice, assistance and information on employee development, work planning, policy planning, and other areas as assigned.

Managers & Supervisors Works with all department managers and supervisors to coordinate electrical requirements. Exchanges information and job experiences that would be mutually beneficial to each functional area within the Cooperative.

Other Employees - Maintains harmonious, courteous, and understanding relationships, while fostering a collaborative teamwork environment. Provides coaching and counseling as appropriate on personnel matters.

Construction Foremen Works with construction foreman and other journeymen or apprentice linemen in a lead position. May work with a line superintendent on special projects as assigned.

Apprentice Linemen Directs and guides training of apprentice linemen.

External

Members Establishes the recognition and acceptance of ownership benefits and responsibility to encourage and promote the effective and efficient use of electric energy. Provides helpful, courteous assistance and service.

General Public - Presents a friendly, courteous image for the Cooperative.

Power Companies and Other Cooperatives Exchanges information that would be mutually beneficial and to maintain good working relationships, particularly with power supplier's dispatch and control center.

Legal and Regulatory Agencies - Maintains professional relationship with agencies and organizations involved in safety and other applicable regulations.

AUTHORITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

General Authority

The Apprentice Lineman has responsibility for construction and maintenance of overhead and underground power lines. This position has line responsibility that is routine involving the same or similar activities. Work may be varied; problems are difficult and methods and procedures are defined and judgement is required to apply them to work. This position has limited authority through the line foreman to make decisions that may have a moderate impact on Cooperative operations. Uses initiative and judgment in making routine decisions on operations. Recognizes the need to understand that the Cooperative's best interests can be directly affected by his/her actions.

Budget and Asset Accountability

Responsible for a minimal level of impact on the department-operating budget.

Minimal responsibility for line crew assets, furniture, equipment, and supplies valued at approximately $1,000,000.

Personal Requirements of Position

Education, Training and Experience

High school diploma and enrollment/completion of an apprenticeship lineman program is required. Two to five years in electric utility distribution operations, including distribution system construction and maintenance is required. Mississippi CDL class A driver's license required; must have and maintain an insurable driving record.

Prior experience and certification is required to qualify for Apprentice Lineman II, III at entry; enrollment and completion in the Apprentice Lineman Training Program are required to move from one level to another.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

This position requires knowledge of RUS line specifications, National Electric Code, National Electric Safety Code, OSHA Rules and Regulations, NM State electrical codes, and cooperative policies and procedures. This position also requires basic technical utility knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform transformer hookups, set poles, operate heavy equipment, tools, and machinery. Ability to effectively read and follow operations and safety manuals. Ability to follow directions and work with other apprentice lineman and warehouse personnel, as assigned. Ability to communicate with other apprentice linemen and line foremen and work with people to solve problems is required.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Performs the essential functions and elements of this position competently, following an initial orientation period. Work may be varied; problems are difficult and methods and procedures are defined, and judgment is required to apply them to work. Personal characteristics to include: a team player, high integrity, good personal habits, regular work attendance, courteous and friendly, able to work well with diverse groups of people, and gain and maintain respect of others, both inside and outside the Cooperative.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS/WORKING CONDITIONS

Work may be varied and a person in this position has sufficient time to complete most tasks without a feeling of pressure. There are frequent opportunities to relax from any physical exertion or to change position in work activities.

Physical Effort and Dexterity: Frequent physical activity, to include walking, stooping, bending, frequent lifting up to 50 lbs., occasional lifting in excess of fifty lbs., climbing, kneeling, reaching, stooping, crawling, pushing, and working in awkward positions and enclosed spaces is normal.

Machines, Tools, Equipment required to be operated: Required to use heavy machines and equipment, and power and hand tools in field operations, to include pole climbing gear, hydraulic tamps, power line conductors, secondary wires, and volt/ohm meters. Must possess a current New Mexico commercial driver's license and have an insurable driving record.

Visual Acuity, Hearing, Speaking: Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance in a hot line work environment. Visual color discrimination is required to differentiate wire and part colors.

Environment/Working Conditions: Work is mostly outside in close proximity to hot line construction and maintenance and energized conductors in varying weather conditions; and is exposed to the hazards of electrical shock and burns as well as to falls. Position requires travel throughout the service area. Work regularly scheduled Monday-Friday, although weekends and after hours may be required to meet deadlines or address distribution problems.

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