Primary Purpose of Job

The primary purpose of this position is to inspect, evaluate, repair, install and maintain all classes of overhead and underground power transmission & distribution lines, and substations in a safe manner. This position may direct the work of Apprentice Linemen.  This position is responsible to collaborate with other department employees to ensure safe and coordinated operation of the utility system.  

Under the direct supervision of the General Foreman, the employee works independently on assigned duties and responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Installs, maintains and repairs primary and secondary equipment on electric transmission, distribution and substations
• Tests, maintains and installs duct line, cable, conduits, risers, circuit breakers, transformers and associated equipment, substation equipment and circuits
• Operates heavy equipment and vehicles
• Climbs poles/towers or rides in bucket attached to truck mounted boom and other overhead devices necessary to access electric lines
• Works in ditches, culverts, vaults and other underground situations necessary to access electric lines
• Installs and maintains company owned customers outdoor lighting equipment
• Investigates outages
• Performs preventative maintenance system checks
• Ensures the safety of co-workers and the general public
• Performs switching on circuits to de-energize for Clearances and Hold Orders
• Participates in regular job briefings and safety meetings
• Performs other duties as assigned

Apprentice Lineman perform the work as a Journeyman Lineman under close supervision by another Journeyman Lineman based on their levels of completion of a four-year apprenticeship in the Alaska Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Trust (“AJEATT”) or equivalent apprenticeship training program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods, equipment and tools used in electric transmission and distribution systems and substations
• Federal and state safety law and regulations, guidelines, and required equipment
• Wiring diagrams and electric and building codes
• Occupational hazards and safety precautions and rules for electric distribution and transmission operation and maintenance
• Switching procedures during power outages and emergencies
• Basic First Aid and CPR

Skills in:

• Operating a personal computer using standard Microsoft software applications such as Excel, Word, Outlook, and any other customized software
• Working on energized and de-energized high- and medium-voltage electrical lines
• Operating diggers, aerial lifts, bucket truck, backhoes, tensioners, pullers, and cranes, and other heavy equipment
• Using hand tools to connect wires to terminals and to attach various kinds of hardware to cable and to perform tree trimming
• Multi-tasking with strong attention to detail

Ability to:

• Read and interpret designs and specifications related to electric distribution and transmission and substations
• Climb, ladders, utility poles, lift trucks, and other overhead pieces of equipment necessary to access electric lines
• Work in ditches, culverts, vaults, and other underground, and sometime tight, spaces and situations necessary to access electric lines
• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language
• Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures and instructions
• Prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations
• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED; and
• Journeyman Lineman certification or license; and
• Certificate of Fitness as a Journeyman Lineman issued by the State of Alaska

Other Job Requirements or Expectations

• Current or ability to obtain a current certificate of completion of a Pole Top and Bucket Truck Rescue test, upon hire, and annually thereafter per OSHA §1910.269
• Maintenance of Alaska Certificate of Fitness every 2 years as required by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
• Random drug and alcohol screening as required for safety and regulatory compliance
• Employees are expected to wear right attire and PPE for safety purposes and the work assigned
• Employees are expected to maintain all required certifications during their employment with the Utility
• Employees will be required to be on on-call, report to work when on-call, and available to work any hours during a 24-hour period, especially in an emergency

Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 90 days after hire, the following:

• Commercial driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska
• Emergency first aid and CPR certification

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Working Conditions:

• Works in the field outside, often in inclement weather with related hazards
• Field work exposes employee to high voltage electrical lines and other environmental factors such as high winds, heavy precipitation, freezing rain and snow, loud noises, vibrations of hand-held equipment, and confined spaces
• When rendering aid to others, employee may be exposed to blood and body fluids

Specific Physical Requirements:

• Lifting, bend, push, and pull up to 50 pounds with or without assistance of proper equipment
• Bend and stoop into ditches, culverts, confined spaces, and other similar work situations
• Operate various equipment, tools, vehicles, and boats required to ensure a fully maintained and safe utility operations
• Able to climb and assist using pole top and bucket truck rescue training and technique to ensure safety of co-workers
• Walk up to, and exceeding at times, 3 miles during a work shift through rough and uneven terrain and often inclement weather
• Operating office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination using a computer and keyboard or equipment and tools on a daily basis

General Physical Requirements:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate well with other employees and the general public
• Sufficient vision to safely operate equipment and tools to support high power electric repairs, to read electric utility prints and documents, drive a vehicle and other equipment, and operate a personal computer
• Sufficient manual dexterity which permits the employee to work with hand tools and energized wire with rubber gloves and other tools 
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the employee to lift, bend, push, and pull, kneel, crouch, balance, stoop, reach, climb up and down stairs, ladders, or walk on steep inclines and to walk and carry equipment and material over uneven services and obstacles in field locations under a wide variety of conditions and to quickly move in case of an emergency  

Benefits 

• PERS Defined Contribution Retirement
• SBS Annuities program - 6.13% match
• Employer Paid Life Insurance (employee and dependents)
• Medical Dental Vision (90%/10% employer/employee paid) (employee and dependents)
• Annual Leave & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Eligible for 457 Retirement Plans
• Eligible for Supplemental Insurance Plans
• Additional benefits as provided under IBEW Collective Bargaining Agreement

The City and Borough of Sitka is an Equal Opportunity Employer