Apprentice Lineperson - Aiken

Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Aiken (SC); On-site; USD 37,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. is seeking an Apprentice Lineperson – Aiken District to support in building and maintaining electric distribution lines and broadband infrastructure under supervision.

Join an established apprenticeship program aimed at progressing to First-Class Lineperson with rigorous safety training and hands-on experience. The role emphasizes safety, teamwork, and on-the-job learning, with potential for advancement through four progression levels and responsibility in

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; two-year technical degree preferred.
• Knowledge of RUS construction specifications is a plus.
• CDL permit or eligibility within 12 months is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in overhead and underground line construction and maintenance under supervision.
• Help install, string, sag, and tie conductors; load and unload materials.
• Support installation and maintenance of electrical distribution equipment per standards.

Skills

Safety practices

Team coordination

Communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Two-year technical degree (preferred)

CDL Permit (preferred)

Job description

Apprentice Lineperson – Aiken District

Job Title: Apprentice Lineperson

Salary Grade/Level: 5 -8

Department: Operations

Reports To: Crew Chief or as assigned

Date: 12/30/2010

Revised: 08/31/2022; 07/13/2023; 06/10/2025, 01/07/2026

JOB DESCRIPTION

Summary/Objective

Serves as an apprentice to a First-Class Lineperson by assisting in the construction, replacement, maintenance, and repair of electric distribution lines, structures, and related equipment, including broadband infrastructure as required. Actively participates in an established apprenticeship program to develop the knowledge, skills, and qualifications necessary to achieve First-Class Lineperson status. Performs all work in compliance with safety, health and environmental standards; applicable regulations; and Cooperative policies and work procedures.

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Perform basic overhead and underground line construction and maintenance tasks in a training capacity to include digging pole and anchor holes; setting and aligning poles and anchors; framing and installing pole assemblies; and loading and unloading poles, transformers, and related material.
2. Assist with the installation, stringing, sagging, and tying of conductors of various sizes and types, and making and installing guy wires, under the direction of qualified line personnel.
3. Assist with installation, connection, maintenance, and retirement of electric distribution equipment, including transformers, fuse cutouts, arrestors, switches, oil circuit reclosers, and sectionalizers, in accordance with RUS Specifications and Cooperative standards.
4. Assist with troubleshooting, repair, and restoration activities, including splicing broken conductors, resagging lines, replacing damaged equipment, tightening hardware and guy wires, and performing related construction, operation, and maintenance tasks as directed.
5. Install underground primary and secondary cables and assist with the installation and connection of underground transformers, switchgear, and secondary junctions.
6. Provide limited assistance with broadband utility infrastructure projects, in coordination with broadband personnel, as needed.
7. Patrol electric and broadband utility facilities as required to identify and report hazards or damaged equipment; perform basic troubleshooting; and assist with corrective actions of the electric system and broadband infrastructure.
8. Learn and apply required safety practices, including first aid, CPR, and pole-top rescue techniques; properly use, inspect, and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE), tools, and safety devices; actively identify and remain alert to workplace hazards such as falls, electric shock, arc flash, falling objects, and traffic; and consistently follow all safety procedures, rules, regulations, and Cooperative policies.
9. Participate in safety meetings, job briefings, and required training sessions, and demonstrate acceptable progression through all four levels of the apprenticeship program.
10. Establish and maintain effective communication and coordination with internal teams, external customers, government agencies, and the public, while promoting a positive image of the Cooperative.
11. Be available for on-call duty and overtime work as required to meet operational needs.

Competencies

1. Ethics and integrity
2. Oral and written communication skills
3. Negotiation skills
4. Analytical and critical thinking
5. Organizational awareness and alignment
6. Collaboration and teamwork
7. Professional and technical credibility
8. Project and time management
9. Adaptability
10. Risk awareness and compliance

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Work Environment

The employee will be working during inclement/extreme weather conditions – heat, cold, rain, snow, ice, high winds, day, and night. The employee will be exposed to energized electrical lines, operate heavy equipment, and be exposed to loud noise.

Physical Demands

The employee will be required to walk or stand; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel crouch, or crawl. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.

Travel

Periodic travel to state and local destinations, as well as some interstate travel is required.

Required Education and Experience

1. High School diploma or GED

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Two-year technical degree with required specialized training (live-line school, underground and overhead school).
2. Knowledge of RUS construction specifications.
3. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Permit

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

1. Valid Driver’s License.
2. Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) / Ability to obtain within 12 months of employment.
3. First Aid and CPR Certified.
4. Flagger safety and Bucket Rescue.
5. Residency requirement.
6. Legally eligible to work in the United States.

EEO Statement

Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

At-Will Employment Statement

This job description is intended to outline the general duties and responsibilities of the position and is not a binding contract. Employment with Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AEC) is on an at-will basis, which means that either the employee or AEC may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, and for any lawful reason.

This document does not create an employment contract, expressed or implied, nor does it modify the at-will nature of employment.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Due to the nature of an electric and broadband utility, all employees are subject to working extended hours, holidays, nights, and weekends with or without notice. All employees of Aiken Electric Cooperative, Inc. may be required to work during Annual Meeting. Additional duties or responsibilities may be assigned

Signatures
This job description has been approved by all levels of management:

Manager____________________________________________________

HR_________________________________________________________

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.

Employee__________________________________ Date_____________

NRECA Electric Cooperative Employee Competencies

• Business Acumen Integrates business, organizational and industry knowledge to one’s own job performance
• Electric Cooperative Business Fundamentals Understands and integrates cooperative principles and industry knowledge into daily practice.
• Organizational Awareness and Alignment Understands and supports the formal and informal decision-making structures and relationships in the organization.
• Professional and Technical Credibility Keeps current in area(s) of expertise and demonstrates competency within areas of functional responsibility.
• Technology Management Keeps current on developments and leverages technology in performance of job duties.
• Safety Awareness Applies core safety knowledge, skills and mindset to everyday work.
• Interactions with Others Builds constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
• Ethics and Integrity Demonstrates personal and professional honesty and chooses ethical courses of action.
• Interpersonal Awareness Maintains constructive working relationships characterized by a high level of acceptance, cooperation, and mutual respect.
• Communication Receives and conveys information to diverse audiences in diverse situations.
• Collaboration and Teamwork Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others to achieve collective goals.
• Service Orientation Demonstrates a desire and ability to serve and work in partnership with others (members, colleagues, stakeholders).
• Respect and Appreciation of Differences Recognizes, respects, and adapts to others' differences in order to work effectively.
• Resourcefulness And Accountability Takes responsibility for accomplishing work objectives and delivering business results.
• Self-Management Demonstrates resiliency and manages own time, priorities, and resources to achieve goals.
• Flexibility and Innovation Is adaptable and contributes creative ideas and solutions to meet changing business needs.
• Results Oriented Strives for excellence in achieving business outcomes.
• Influence and Negotiation Manages challenges in a constructive manner and reaches compromises, gains support and strives for win‑win solutions.
• Critical Thinking and Decision Making Uses objective analysis and evaluation to make decisions and implement solutions.
• Continuous Learning and Development Displays curiosity and an ongoing commitment to learning and self‑improvement.

NRECA Electric Cooperative Employee Competencies – Construction and Maintenance

The setup, operation, control, maintenance and improvement of power delivery systems.

• Construction Equipment and Methods Implements construction methods and tools specific to Distribution plants.
  • Field Inspections
  • Construction
  • Resource Coordination
  • Regulations and Standards
• Maintenance, Installation, and Repair Maintains and optimizes maintenance schedules, processes, asset management plans, etc.
  • Maintenance, Installation, and Repair
  • Repair procedures
  • Data and Analytics for Determination of Issues
  • Risk, Reliability and Uncertainty Tools and Technology