Apprentice Lineman

clayelectric; Keystone Heights (FL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. seeks an Apprentice Lineman in Keystone Heights, FL to train in distribution and transmission construction under supervision. The position progresses through Clay Electric’s Lineworker Training Program Levels 1 and 2, advancing to skilled linework as you gain experience.

This apprenticeship emphasizes safety, hands-on learning with crews, and readiness to respond to emergencies. Residency requirements apply, and visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Successful completion of Clay Electric’s Lineworker Training Program (Level 1-4) before progressing.
• Ability to read and understand staking sheets and construction drawings.
• Willingness to learn operating and safety procedures for linework.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the construction and maintenance of distribution and transmission lines.
• Learn and practice safe climbing and working from poles.
• Perform basic tool maintenance and safe handling of equipment.
• Work under supervision of Crew Chief or Crew Leader to develop skills.

Skills

Staking sheets comprehension

Tool operation

Safety compliance

Pole climbing safety

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Bucket truck

Bush axe

Line truck

Post hole diggers

Forklift

Job description

Apprentice Lineman

Posting Date: July 22, 2026

Job Posting Number: 2026-043

Pay Grade: 3

Department: Operations, Construction/Overhead

Location: Keystone Heights

Classification: Non-Exempt

Notes: This is a current position.

THERE ARE RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION.

Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. does not sponsor employment visas.

If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request by emailing [e-mail] or by calling 352-473-8000, EXT 8264 or 8270. Please be advised that this assistance is available for individuals who require accommodation due to disability.

Classification Summary: This is apprenticeship work in connection with the construction and maintenance of transmission and overhead and underground distribution lines necessary for providing electrical service.

During the first 18 months in this classification, work will be performed under the supervision of a Crew Chief or Crew Leader who reviews performance and ability daily to ensure that the individual is progressing in knowledge and skills as well as adhering to Clay Electric’s Safety Manual.

After 18 months and having successfully completed Clay Electric’s Lineworker Training Program Levels 1 and 2, apprentice linemen will begin performing skilled work under the guidance of a Clay Electric Lineman in connection with Clay Electric’s Overhead, Underground and Transmission Construction Specifications and Operational Policies and Procedures. A Crew Chief or Crew Leader observes performance and ability on a daily basis to ensure the Apprentice Lineman is carrying out these responsibilities in a safe and proficient manner.

Essential Job functions

(Note: These job functions are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. All employees are expected to demonstrate cooperation in working with others, deal effectively with members and practice safety consciousness.)

The first 18 months, an employee in the Apprentice Lineman classification will perform work in connection with the construction and maintenance of distribution and transmission lines including but not limited to the following:

1. Use of Tools, Equipment and Proper Techniques. Learns proper operation and safe use and care of tools and associated work equipment. Responsibilities include the proper care and storage of all equipment during and after use. Performs preventative maintenance on tools and equipment, including vehicle, in accordance with recommended practices and job procedures. Learns proper technique of and practices safe climbing and working from poles while on hooks. Learns and uses proper and safe techniques in loading and unloading poles, transformers, and other related materials. Learns and uses accident and personal injury prevention methods, including proper lifting techniques and the use of personal protective equipment. Complies with all traffic laws and related safety rules and safe work practices.
2. Cables. Learns proper procedures and techniques to correctly identify all buried service cables and becomes familiar with and capable of using the various types of equipment designed for splicing and terminating of all underground secondary cables. Becomes familiar with and capable of using the various types of cable locating, fault locating, and cable testing equipment.
3. Transformers, Hand-Vaults and Meter Bases. Learns to correctly connect primary and secondary side of de-energized transformers, hand vaults and meter bases.
4. Safety. Practices safe work habits in the performance of all job duties and is familiar with and follows those portions of the Cooperative Safety Manual that pertain to the position.
5. Other Essential Duties. Each employee is responsible to perform other duties as required for the benefit of the Cooperative and its members, includes responding to and/or assisting in emergency situations.

After 18 months and successful completion of training requirements, the individual should also be able to perform the following work:

1. Use of Tools, Vehicles and other Work Equipment. Is familiar with the proper operation and safe use of all tools and work equipment including derrick trucks, aerial lift trucks, trenchers and other types of equipment used in the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground power lines. Ensures that trucks, tools and working equipment assigned are properly used and maintained.
2. Energized Lines. Under supervision receives clearance to energize or to temporarily de-energize lines. Complies with all safety precautions and requirements when opening and closing energized lines; confers with Crew Chief or Crew Leader regarding line feed direction before performing work.
3. Installation of Equipment. Installs and connects transformers, oil circuit reclosers and related equipment on both overhead and underground systems. Installs and connects capacitors and voltage regulators, change taps and regulated voltage on transformers. Installs standard size conductors, armor rods and ties, and connectors of any size on poles and structures for primary, secondary and service lines. Installs, splices, terminates and maintains various types of underground primary cables. Installs transformer pads, vaults and buries secondary and primary cable to Cooperative specifications and National Electric Safety Codes.
4. Live Conductors. Properly and safely works live conductors of all transmission and distribution and secondary voltages, overhead and underground, in accordance with prescribed methods under the supervision of a Crew Chief or Crew Leader until the supervisor is satisfied with work.
5. Specifications and Standards. Is familiar with Cooperative specifications, the Cooperative Safety Manual, the National Electric Safety Code and the requirements of Clay Electric's overhead and underground construction standards.
6. Restoration of Service. Becomes proficient in safely performing essential activities relating to restoration of electric service, including patrolling lines, emergency right-of-way trimming, switching equipment, oil reclosers, transformers, transformer banks, services and maintenance and repairs on power lines.
7. Other Essential Duties. Each employee is responsible to perform other duties as required to benefit the Cooperative and its members, includes responding to and/or assisting in emergency situations.

Other Job Duties

1. Moves, relocates and changes out materials, poles and equipment for purposes of right-of-way, clearance of lines, or defective material. Works live conductors of all secondary voltages in accordance with prescribed procedures.
2. Reads and interprets staking sheets.

Minimum Training and Experience

This position requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

A valid Florida Class A commercial driver’s license or a Florida Class A restricted commercial driver’s license must be obtained within the first six (6) months of employment in this position.

Additional training is required consisting of Clay Electric Cooperative's Lineworker Development Training Program (Level 1 through Level 4) before progressing to the Lineman position.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to read, write, and comprehend instructions and to read and comprehend staking sheets, construction drawings, construction specifications and Clay Electric's Safety Manual.

Ability to read and understand Clay Electric's mapping system using a personal computer, iPad or other company-issued electronic device used in the field.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other technology software/tools used in the field.

Ability to learn and use equipment in a safe manner.

This position requires after-hours work due to work load and/or emergency situations.

This position requires the ability and knowledge to assume on-call and/or back-up call responsibilities. These assignments will be made at the discretion of the supervisor and considered a part of accepting this position.

This position requires the ability to promote to the position of Lineman after successfully completing the requirements of Clay Electric’s Lineworker Training Program (Level 1 through Level 4), which requires a minimum of 48 months’ work as an apprentice lineman.

Employees in this position shall comply with Policy 110., "Residence Required in Dist ricts and Operations Department".

Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All applicants for employment shall be considered on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, physical or mental handicap or disability, where otherwise qualified, or marital or veteran status. Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. treats all employees equally without discrimination in rates of pay and other opportunities for advancement.

Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. has a drug-free workplace policy.

Clay Electric Cooperative, Inc. participates in E-Verify. E-Verify electronically compares information entered on the Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9, with records contained in Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

JOB ANALYSIS FORM for APPRENTICE LINEMAN This form is used to determine the essential function and physical requirements of each job class for recruitment purposes to comply with the American With Disabilities Act.

Tools, Equipment, Vehicles, or Machinery Used:

Bucket truck, Bush axe, Line truck, 8' post hole diggers, Forklift, Chain hoist, manual squeeze wrench, Strap hoist, Bolt/Wire cutters, Hand saw, Shovel, Chain saw, Tamp stick, Ground rod driver

Work Conditions:

Work is Performed: Indoors Outdoors Both

X

Exposure To:

Exposure To: Cold Heat Wet/Humid Noise/Vibration Hazards Dust Fumes

X X X X X X X

Communication Requirements:

Hearing: Yes No

Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication. X

Ability to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machine parts. X

Talking:

Talking: Yes No

Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word. X

Ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers. X

Ability to speak loudly, such as when speaking over loud machinery. X

No speaking is required. X

Visual Requirements:

Visual Requirements: Yes No

Field of vision requires the normal ability, such as working with figures, on computer terminals or reading. X

Field of vision requires the ability to see small or detailed items, such as working on machines. X

Field of vision requires the ability to operate equipment, such as trucks, forklifts, cranes. X

Repetitive Motions:

Repetitive Motions: Yes No

Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers, such as keyboarding or handwriting. X

Physical Requirements of the Job:

Note: - In terms of an 8-hour workday, "Occasionally" equals 1% to 33% of the time, "Frequently" means 34% to 66% of the time, and "Continuously" means 67% to 100% of the time.

Employee Must Lift & Carry: Never Occasionally Frequently Continuously

Up to 5 lbs X

6 to 10 lbs X

11 to 20 lbs X

21 to 25 lbs X

26 to 50 lbs X

51 to 100 lbs X

Employee is Required To: Never Occasionally Frequently Continuously

Bend X

Squat X

Crawl X

Climb X

Reach Above Shoulder Level X

Reach Below Shoulder Level X

Employee Must Use Hands for Repetitive Action: Simple Grasping Pushing Pulling Fingering

Yes X X X X

No:

Definitions:

1. Simple Grasping- Apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
2. Pushing-Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
3. Pulling-Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
4. Fingering-Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.

Employee Must Use Feet for Repetitive Action:

Employee Must Use Feet for Repetitive Action: Right Left

Yes X X

No:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters or must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some requirements may exclude individuals that cannot be reasonably accommodated or who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.