Electric Line Journeyman

Job Summary

Employees in this class perform advanced journey level technical work in the installation, maintenance and repair of electrical lines and serve as a field crew leader at the job site. Work is differentiated from lower levels of line work by the variety of more difficult energized secondary and primary high voltage line work and by serving as lead worker in assigning and inspecting work, assuring compliance with safety rules and regulations, and training other line workers. Employees are expected to possess a thorough knowledge of standardized techniques and practices utilized in power line construction, maintenance, and repair. Judgment is utilized in determining the most appropriate work methods, locating and solving electrical problems, and observing safety standards. Work requires frequent on-call and call-back responsibilities. The employee is subject to hazards associated with electrical work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme temperatures, and exposure to various hazards such as working at heights, loud noises, vibration, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, confined spaces, poor ventilation, and oils. Work is performed under general supervision and is reviewed in progress and upon completion for conformance to accepted standards and productivity and safety of crew.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provides leadership and participates in the installation and alignment of power line poles; stringing primary and secondary lines; attaching wire to insulators and cross arms; installing, repairing, and replacing cross arms, supports, insulators, lightning arresters, and fuse cutouts.
• Participates in and oversees the installation, construction, and repair of underground electrical systems by installing primary and secondary cables and transformers; locating trouble spots in the cable span and taking necessary measures to excavate and correct; and by determining and replacing faulty equipment such as transformers.
• Performs a variety of construction, repair and maintenance work in response to work orders.
• Operates bucket equipment to ascend to high wires; operates line truck, trenchers, and other heavy equipment.
• Participates in making energized line taps and connecting wires; handles energized aspects of system independently.
• Installs transformers, fuse cutouts, and reactors.
• Transfers wire from old poles to new poles; installs metering equipment, and transfers lines from old to new poles.
• Provides crew leadership in assigning work, insuring adherence to work standards, training crew members, and insuring productivity of the crew; may serve in the absence of the Supervisor.
• Climbs poles when necessary; trims trees; participates in substation maintenance and circuit switching.
• Participates in trouble-shooting power outages and leading in emergency repair.
• Assists the public with information, service, and problem-solving.
• Participates in work order, OSHA inspections, meter installation documentation and record completions.
• Participates in training new employees.
• Attends training sessions to remain proficient in such subjects as safety training, first aid and CPR training, live line training, and equipment training.
• Participates in after-hours on-call rotation and responds to power outages requiring the individual to work long hours possibly in adverse weather conditions.

Additional Job Duties
Performs related duties as required

Job Requirements

• Thorough knowledge of the operation of the various trucks and equipment necessary to perform line worker tasks.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles of electricity as related to transmission and distribution.
• Thorough knowledge of the tools, materials and methods used in power line construction and maintenance.
• Thorough knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions involved in power line work.
• Skill in maneuvering trucks, equipment, and materials and supplies on the job sites.
• Skill in customer contact and communications.
• Ability to attend work regularly and stamina to perform heavy manual labor in adverse weather conditions for long periods of time.
• Ability to operate bucket truck, trencher, service truck and other equipment in connection with duties.
• Ability to comprehend and respond to a variety of work situations and tasks quickly and appropriately, possibly under emergency conditions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents including safety rules, operations manual, written directions, and engineered drawings.
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions within the scope of responsibility.
• Ability to assign work, inspect work, train co-workers, work as part of a team, and ensure safety precautions of crew.
• Ability to make effective decisions in emergency work conditions.
• Ability to organize workflow and coordinate activities.
• Ability to investigate complaints regarding power outages and assist in making repairs.
• Ability to use power line tools and operate required equipment.
• Ability to understand and carry out complex written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public, other employees, and supervisors.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records of work activities.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, and hearing.
• Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to lift objects.
• Must possess the visual acuity to operate mobile equipment, monitor work site progress, perform skilled electrical tasks, and inspect and assemble small parts.

Desirable Education and Experience
Graduation from high school and considerable progressive experience in electric line construction and maintenance progressing to journey level in an electric career development program requiring demonstrable competencies; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid Class A North Carolina commercial driver’s license.
• Possession of Advanced Line Tech certification and other training as required by the Town.

Hiring range for this position is $65,465 to $73,648, DOQ, with a $1,000 sign-on bonus that is paid out in 2 payments over a 2 year term. Applications may be obtained at the Town of Dallas Administrative Offices located at 210 N. Holland St., Dallas, NC 28034 or at www.dallasnc.net. Completed applications can be emailed to jobs@dallasnc.net or turned in at the Administrative Offices. Open until filled. EOE.