Lineman Apprentice I (St. Thomas)

The Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority; Charlotte Amalie (United States Virgin Islands); On-site; USD 40,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virgin Islands Water & Power Authority is seeking a Lineman Apprentice I to learn skilled line work on 0 to 600V systems under the guidance of seasoned Linemen and a Line Supervisor. The role follows a rotating shift, includes overtime and emergency coverage, and emphasizes safety, training and hands-on pole work on job sites.

Responsibilities include pole work, pole hardware installation, tree clearance, equipment handling and adherence to D&D procedures and OSHA standards on a daily basis.

Qualifications

• High School diploma and at least 6 months of work experience in electrical distribution, line construction and maintenance or similar electrical trade work.
• Must pass lineman certification testing and labs for promotion to Lineman Apprentice II within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Drive and operate all Line Department vehicles and equipment.
• Dig holes, set and frame poles, install guy wires and anchors using compressor truck and hand tools.
• Assemble streetlights and other electrical devices, transport and spot line equipment on erected poles and towers.
• Assist in grounding de-energized pole transformers and other electrical devices.
• Inspect, clean and maintain tools and equipment.
• Install, replace and remove defective electrical devices on the ground.
• Climb poles to remove broken or defective hardware on de-energized poles.
• Raise and lower tools and equipment to co-workers overhead and underground systems.
• Cut, trim and clear trees and branches from right-of-way for new construction or around existing poles; load into chipper.
• Check truck stock materials at shift start and end; keep work area clean.
• Adhere to safety regulations and OSHA standards; learn T&D pole construction basics and grounding methods.
• Develop grounding methods and install pole hardware on de-energized poles from ground.
• Learn stringing and installation of de-energized lines from ground or aerial positions.

Skills

Pole climbing

Grounding procedures

Safety compliance

Hand tools operation

Willingness to learn

Education

High School diploma

Tools

Compressor truck

Job description

The Lineman Apprentice I position is responsible for a variety of tasks and accepts assignments from Line Supervisor on shift and shall be assigned to work directly with a 1st Class Lineman and a 2nd Class Lineman. Learns to perform those tasks required in the construction, maintenance or operation of electrical power transmission and distribution facilities that would prepare a worker to perform skilled line work primarily on 0 to 600V systems.

Because the Authority has a primary responsibility to serve the public 24 hours a day, an employee in this class is expected to work on a rotating shift schedule and may be expected to work overtime as conditions demand or on a short notice during emergency conditions. Lineman Apprentice I shall be assigned to a Line Supervisor on 1 of 4 rotating shift schedule: midnight to 08:00 a.m.; 08:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.; and 04:00 p.m. to midnight and a swing-shift. Reasonable accommodations shall be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Drive and operate all Line Department vehicles & equipment etc.
• Dig holes, set and frame poles, install guy wires and anchors using compressor truck, related equipment and hand tools.
• Assemble streetlights and other electrical devices, transport and spot line equipment on erected poles and towers.
• Assist in grounding of de-energized pole transformers and all electrical devices.
• Inspect, clean and maintain tools and equipment.
• Install, replace and remove all broken or defective electrical devices while on the ground.
• Performs all work in accordance with safety regulations, strict adherence to T&D standard operating procedures & Authority’s Personnel Policies & Procedures, company policies and OSHA standards, ability to learn and acquire first aid, CPR Certification and Confined Space Certification.
• Climbs poles to remove broken or defective hardware on de-energized poles.
• Raises and lowers tools and equipment to co-workers overhead and underground systems.
• Cut, trim and clear trees and branches from right-of-way for new construction or around existing poles and de-energized power lines; load cut trees and branches into chipper.
• Checks truck stock materials at the beginning and ending of work shift.
• Cleans work area, trucks and equipment; places unused and salvaged material back on the truck.

• Ability to learn and acquire fundamentals of T&D pole construction standard and grounding method and assemble and install pole construction hardware on de-energized poles on the ground.
• Ability to learn and acquire fundamentals of installation on all electrical devices; ex. transformers, switches, reclosers, street lights, capacitor banks, lightning arrestors and fuse cut out etc. on the ground.
• Ability to learn and acquire fundamentals of stringing and installation of all de-energized lines, overhead, ground level & underground, such as transformers, street lights, capacitor banks, lightning arrestors and fuse cut out etc. from ground or aerial devices on the ground.
• Ability to learn pole top equipment installation and replacement on de-energized poles. Ability to learn pole climbing techniques; practices and becomes proficient at climbing poles. Control roadway traffic at job sites.
• Must pass all required lineman certification testing and labs for promotion to Lineman Apprentice II within 1 year in this position.

High School diploma, and a minimum of six (6) months of work experience in electrical distribution, line construction and maintenance or in a similar position involving work in the electrical trade is required.