Journey Lineworker

Town of Huntersville; Huntersville (NC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of Huntersville is seeking a skilled journey lineworker to perform construction, maintenance, and operation of high voltage transmission and distribution lines and equipment. Work entails climbing poles, working from bucket trucks, and restoring power during outages, with emphasis on safety and adherence to standards.

Responsibilities include installing transformers and related equipment, performing detailed switching, and coordinating with the service team to ensure reliable electrical

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; experience as journey lineworker preferred.
• Completion or partial completion of NC Lineman Career Development Program or equivalent.
• Driver's license and CDL-A as applicable; ability to obtain required certifications.

Responsibilities

• Construct, maintain and repair overhead/underground power lines and substations.
• Troubleshoot outages, restore power, and work safely at elevated heights.
• Install transformers, meters, switchgear and related equipment.
• Coordinate with others to transfer load and isolate faults as needed.

Skills

High voltage experience

Pole climbing

Safety procedures

Troubleshooting power outages

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Lineman apprenticeship/NC Lineman Program

CDL Class A (preferred)

Job description

Performs skilled work at the journey level in the construction, maintenance, and operation of high voltage electrical power transmission and distribution lines and equipment. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Electric Operations Manager. The following duties are those considered most essential to the position. This does not preclude the delegation of other duties considered as necessary by management to successfully complete an assignment or project.

• Constructs, maintains and repairs overhead and underground power transmission and distribution lines, substations and related facilities, troubleshooting power outages and restoring power as safely and efficiently as possible.
• Performs work on lines and equipment energized at high and low voltages at elevated positions.
• Installs and replaces wood, steel and fiberglass poles, crossarms, insulators, switches, capacitors, lightning arresters, faulted secondary and primary conductors, bad transformers, fuses, connectors and related work,
• Installs single-phase and three-phase overhead and underground transformers, connects single-phase transformers into three-phase banks.

• Performs installation of transformers, fuse cutouts, capacitors, primary and secondary meters and metering equipment including CT's, VT's and related work.
• Installs group operated switches and single and three-phase re-closers.
• Installs and repairs copper and aluminum conductors, both overhead and underground, strings primary and secondary lines and attaches wire allowing for proper sag.
• Installs and maintains switchgears, underground termination cabinets and secondary hand boxes.
• Terminates primary conductors with load-break or 600-amp elbows, and aerial terminations.
• Uses multimeters to test voltage, current and resistance on energized parts of circuits; uses high voltage thumper, time domain reflectometer (TDR) and other equipment to locate faults on underground conductors.
• Participates in detailed switching orders to transfer load from one source to another, to isolate faulted sections or to restore power.

• Participates in maintenance of substations and makes substation and switching station repairs when needed. Installs and replaces single-phase voltage regulators, circuit breakers, CT's and VT's and other equipment inside substations.
• Interprets relay targets on substation equipment to troubleshoot and repair substation faults; operates substation equipment such as but not limited to circuit breakers, circuit switchers, GOAB switches, MOAB switches, load tap changers, voltage regulators, etc.
• Troubleshoots system abnormalities and determines the most appropriate action to correct them.

• Coordinates with customer service team on outages, service connection/disconnection, and related service changes.
• Maintains streetlights, area lights, flood lights and traffic signals.

• Operates motor vehicles safely and proficiently including but not limited to bucket trucks, line trucks, and pickup trucks.
• Operates heavy machinery safely and proficiently including but not limited to backhoes, excavators, trenchers, wire stringing equipment, forklifts, and directional boring machines

• Operates and maintains the condition of materials, tools, and equipment used in line work.

• Operates chain saws and other mechanical equipment safely and efficiently in the clearance of trees, brush and other vegetation when necessary.

• Assists in training less tenured or apprentice lineworkers in the proper performance of duties.
• Conducts daily job briefings for the crew as required taking into consideration the hazards of the job, special precautions, the personal protective equipment required, the job assignments for each employee, the energy source controls and the closest emergency response information.
• Installs temporary work zones compliant with MUTCD and NCDOT standards and serves as a flagger when necessary.
• May serve in the absence of a crew leader to direct the work of subordinate workers.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of and ability to follow NESC and OSHA rules/regulations, APPA Safety Manual and Standard Operating Procedures, including use of PPE; knowledge of the techniques, materials and equipment used in the construction, maintenance and repair of electric distribution system; Knowledge of proper Lockout/Tagout procedures and effective grounding; ability to work safely around high voltage energized equipment; ability to climb wooden poles and other structures, when necessary, often exceeding 60-100 feet, and work comfortably in a bucket truck from elevated positions for extended periods of time; ability to work in confined spaces to operate and maintain underground switches and cables; ability to diagnose electrical system failures and power outages, including identifying damaged equipment in high-voltage environments; ability to perform demanding physical labor in extreme conditions, including intense heat, cold, rain, snow, and during emergency storm restoration; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Town officials, associates, contractors and the general public; ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing; ability to follow operational policies and procedures.

High school diploma or GED and 4 years of experience as a journey lineworker. Or a combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, abilities, and skills to complete the essential functions and job responsibilities of this position. Successful completion or partial completion of the NC Lineman Career Development Program, and/or an accredited Lineman apprentice program, having successfully passed required testing, or the ability to successfully complete the Lineman Career Development Program after hire.

Possession of an appropriate driver's license valid in the State of North Carolina. Possession of a commercial driver's license Class A (CDL) valid in the State of North Carolina. This position is subject to On-Call rotation and Emergency Call Back during emergency situations and inclement weather. Must meet a 45-minute response time from employee’s home to Electric Department office. This position’s physical requirements involve 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 move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities may be required: balancing, feeling, hearing, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, reaching, speaking, standing, visual acuity, and/or walking.

Work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to vibration, frequently working near moving mechanical parts and traffic, exposure to the risk of electrical shock, and occasionally requires exposure to extreme cold and extreme heat; work is generally in a moderate noise location.

The Town of Huntersville is committed to providing equal opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), gender, national origin, religion, disability, military service or veteran status, genetic information or any other classification protected by applicable Federal, State, and local laws and ordinances. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Town of Huntersville will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with Human Resources staff.