Full-time Lineman

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This position is the culmination of an extended training period planned to develop a competent craftsman who can provide the needed service for the construction, operation and maintenance of the cooperative’s electrical system. The Lineman is qualified to perform all aspects of line work without supervision. A Lineman’s judgment and knowledge in the operation of the system and the handling of work and personnel (when assigned) shall be developed to the extent all work can be performed efficiently and safely. A lineman shall have knowledge and experience in human relations with both the general public and the cooperative’s members. 

RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

In addition to the work responsibilities of previous subordinate grades/classes now handled without supervision, a Journeyman shall have increasing responsibilities including the following:

1. Construct all required specifications safely and in a professional manner without supervision.
2. Assuming major duties when called upon, such as directing line crews during trouble calls and/or in the absence of the crew chief, exercising sound judgment, and calling for assistance if and when needed.
3. Work on overhead or underground energized lines with hot-line tools, aerial bucket truck or underground equipment.
4. Perform switching assignments on the distribution system or in substations.
5. Investigate and correct equipment and/or control malfunctions or make temporary bypass adjustments until proper repair/replacement can be scheduled.
6. Monitor system feeds and alert other personnel of changes in line feed direction, location of open points, installed grounds, joint-use hazards, and other conditions necessary for safely working on lines.
7. Complete material records, time sheets and other forms of paperwork related to work orders, transformers, oil circuit breakers/reclosers, meters, vehicle reports, and other equipment/facilities as required.
8. Train and/or assist with the training of apprentice linemen, groundmen or others as assigned.
9. Operate and assume responsibility for handling/caring for all construction equipment assigned, and report immediately maintenance needs/problems when detected, especially where a safety hazard may exist or could develop.
10. Fill in for the crew chief, serviceman and when needed.
11. Stake minor service extensions, replace missing pole/anchor-guy stakes, and make necessary field revisions to work orders when required and when deemed in the cooperative’s best interest; document any changes on the work order or provide a field sketch showing staking revisions, pole assembly/hardware changes, and other related information.
12. Must demonstrate the ability to satisfactorily complete Hurtman (Pole Top) Rescue training annually.
13. Perform other duties or work requested or assigned.

SAFETY PRACTICES AND TRAINING:

The Lineman shall participate and attend job training and safety programs and shall continue to observe, practice and instruct lower grades/classifications in all safety rules, the safety manual, and first aid techniques. A Lineman shall promote safe working habits and encourage the use of protective equipment at all times. A Lineman should know maximum/minimum voltage regulation limits from the substation source through to the member’s point of delivery. The lineman should understand all types of voltage and current indicating/recording meters and equipment and be able to properly judge service quality and report problems or potential problems for corrective action. The Lineman must demonstrate the ability to satisfactorily perform Hurtman (Pole Top) Rescue training annually.

RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Internal
   1. Assigned construction crew – Work with and learn from the crew members of assigned crew, regardless of classification. Take the initiative to speak up for all matters of safety regardless of the classification of employees affected.
   2. Other employees – Cooperate with and maintain pleasant working relationships, while improving morale and exchanging ideas, information and job experiences that will benefit the organization and ensure the continued progress of the cooperative.

2. External
   1. Members- Explain the cooperative’s plans, procedures, service programs and objectives as necessary to provide efficient and courteous service; resulting in good member relations.

   2. General public – Maintain friendly, cooperative relationships with the general public and seek every opportunity to help the cooperative develop understanding and acceptance of the cooperative’s plans, programs and objectives.

       

AUTHORITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES:

The Lineman shall have full authority to carry out the duties and responsibilities of this position in conformity with established policies and procedures and shall have full accountability for programs and activities within the scope of this position. The Lineman are accountable to the working Crew Chief for the efficient performance of these responsibilities and are encouraged to use initiative and judgment in making decisions, remembering the cooperative’s best interests can be affected by his/her actions. Suggestions for improvement of operations and efficiency are encouraged. The Lineman shall secure approval of the Crew Chief or management to make decisions when policies are not clear, adequate or require interpretation.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:

PHYSICAL

Must possess coordination, manual dexterity and visual acuity, as well as the ability to constantly listen and communicate orally; constantly stand and walk; frequently sit, bend, twist, stoop, squat, balances, kneel and crouch; lift, carry, push, and pull up to 75 pounds; reach above shoulder level; and climb poles.

The physical requirements for this position include, but are not limited to the following:

1. To maintain proper safety while performing line construction work, coordination is required while performing work from pole off hooks or in the aerial bucket. Coordination is also required when driving the line truck or bucket truck to and from the job, and in normal operations of winch truck or other line construction vehicle.
2. Constantly use manual dexterity in electrical construction and/or maintenance to move materials; to manipulate materials both bare handed and working in electrically tested rubber gloves; to draw work orders; and to complete necessary paperwork to comply with RUS and VEC specifications.
3. Constantly listen and communicate orally and use visual acuity to locate possible hazards while performing duties of the position.
4. Constantly stand and walk, whether on the ground, working off the pole off hooks, and/or in the bucket to perform construction and/or line maintenance.
5. Frequently sit in a truck to drive and/or ride to various line construction sites. The average number of miles and the amount of time driving/riding would vary depending on the services construction to be performed each day.
6. Frequently bend, stoop, walk and squat to construct or perform maintenance on electric facilities and to read or change meters.
7. Frequently lift, carry, push, and pull up to 75 pounds, which may consist of wire coil, miscellaneous pole framing equipment, and other line construction or service items. Occasionally transformers must be lifted; however, they are usually lifted by line trucks and placed into position. Occasionally boxes of meters and individual meters for installation and/or removal from meter bases need to be lifted.
8. Frequently lift, carry and operate a chainsaw to clear a right-of-way.
9. Frequently push and/or pull wires while working on the pole.
10. Frequently climb poles, reach above, at and below shoulder level to perform maintenance of line services and/or line construction.
11. Frequently twist while performing maintenance of line services and/or line construction.
12. Frequently kneel and crouch in certain underground installations and during pole framing on the ground.
13. Frequently climb and balance on a ladder.
14. Frequently bend, stoop, lift and carry dirt when shoveling.
15. Ability to satisfactorily complete Hurtman (Pole Top) Rescue training annually.    

MENTAL

1. Position works primarily with information that must be processed with accuracy and may require communicating such information to others, oftentimes under stressful conditions.
2. Task of position often requires intense concentration for long periods of time.
3. Employee may experience stress or feel pressured to complete a job or task during emergency situations and/or when dealing with irate members. May experience stress if assigned to lead a crew as the acting Crew Chief.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Possession of a valid commercial driver’s license (Class A) with the State of Kansas.
2. Ability to respond to after-hours outages, emergencies or other situations within thirty (30) minutes.
3. High school diploma or equivalent
4. Linemen school diploma (preferred)
5. Apprenticeship Program Completed (preferred)

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This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. An employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by immediate supervisor and management as required.

VEC reserves the right to revise or change the job description as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.