Overhead Line Worker

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority; California (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family-friendly workplace

Job summary

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is seeking an Overhead Line Worker to maintain and repair high‑voltage overhead lines and related electrical infrastructure for the light rail system. The role requires hands-on experience with energized lines, a state‑certified electrical line worker apprenticeship, and a minimum of two years of journey‑level experience in transit electrical work.

You will operate boom/tower trucks, welders, and testing equipment, while adhering to strict safety

Qualifications

• Two years of verifiable experience as a journey level transit electrical line worker, working with over 600 Volts D.C.
• Certificate of completion of a state certified electrical line worker apprenticeship program.
• Commitment to safety protocols and detailed record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Performs inspections and repairs of overhead contact wires, poles, distribution, and signal cables.
• Operates boom and tower trucks and related equipment.
• Keeps records of work performed and prepares reports.
• May provide lead supervision and assist in training other workers.

Skills

Safety-focused

Electrical line work

Overhead lines

Boom/tower trucks

Education

High school diploma

Electrical line worker apprenticeship certificate

Tools

Boom and tower trucks

Welding equipment

Electrical testing equipment

Job description

The Position

Are you a safety-focused, journey-level electrical line tech with hands‑on experience in high‑voltage overhead systems? VTA is looking for a dedicated professional to help power the light rail system and keep our community moving. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the safe and reliable operation of high‑voltage infrastructure, including overhead contact systems and power distribution lines.

The Division, Way, Power & Signal Maintenance

Way, Power & Signal Maintenance is responsible for timely and reliable maintenance, preventive maintenance, inspections, repair and servicing of the light rail right‑of‑way, rail system power, tracks, signals, station facilities and related equipment. Components of the Way, Power & Signal unit are:

• Station & Wayside Maintenance: Station & Wayside Maintenance maintains and repairs (including graffiti removal) light rail stations, terminal buildings, restrooms, park & ride lots, landscaping, fences, guardrails, and other trackside areas.
• Track Maintenance: Track Maintenance maintains (including right‑of‑way weed eradication, vegetation control, and graffiti removal), performs preventive maintenance, inspects, services and repairs rail, switches, ties, roadbed, and track systems.
• Power Maintenance: Power Maintenance maintains (including trackside right‑of‑way tree trimming), performs preventive maintenance, inspects, repairs, and services light rail electric power systems, including overhead, substations, lighting, and other electrical systems.
• Signal Maintenance: Signal Maintenance maintains, performs preventive maintenance, inspects, repairs, and services signal systems, crossing gates, fare machines, SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) controls, and station audio/video equipment.
• Passenger Facilities Maintenance: Passenger Facilities Maintenance maintains, performs preventive maintenance, inspects, repairs, and services all VTA‑maintained passenger facilities, including bus stops. Services include: bench installation, painting and repair, core drilling for poles at new bus stops, garbage collection, trash receptacle installation and relocation, graffiti abatement, litter removal, pressure washing, red curb painting, signage inspection, route updates, and sweeping services. Janitorial services for transit centers are provided daily through a Facilities Maintenance service contract with a third‑party vendor.

What you will be doing:

Definition

Under general supervision, the Overhead Line Worker performs journey level inspections, maintains and repairs overhead lines, power distribution cables, communication cables and overhead signal cables.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Overhead Line Worker position is a safety-conscious journey‑level electrical line technician with extensive experience working on high‑voltage overhead and underground systems. This person thrives in physically demanding environments and demonstrates knowledge in the construction, maintenance, and repair of overhead lines. They possess a certificate of completion of a state certified electrical line worker apprenticeship program, complemented by extensive field experience working with energized and de‑energized lines. They bring at least two years of verifiable experience as a journey level electrical line worker, maintaining, inspecting, and repairing electrical infrastructure, including overhead contact wires, power distribution systems and associated hardware. The candidate must have proven proficiency in operating boom and tower trucks, line equipment, welding tools, electrical testing equipment, keeping detailed records and preparing accurate reports, and following stringent safety protocols at all times.

This individual is a reliable team player with excellent communication skills, able to work effectively in a crew and adapt quickly to dynamic field conditions. They are committed to minimizing service interruptions, responding to emergency outages, and maintaining the integrity of the light rail system. The ideal candidate also demonstrates a strong understanding of electrical theory, the principles of electrical construction, and the proper application of safety regulations and procedures.

About VTA

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority employs more than 2,000 people dedicated to providing solutions that move Silicon Valley. Unique among transportation organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area, VTA is Santa Clara County’s authority for transit development and operations (light rail and bus), congestion management, transportation‑related funding, highway design and construction, real estate and transit‑oriented development, and bicycle and pedestrian planning. With local, state, and federal partners, VTA works to innovate the way Silicon Valley moves and provide mobility solutions for all.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special district that provides sustainable, accessible, community‑focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality of our region.

VTA provides bus, light rail, and paratransit services, as well as participates as a funding partner in regional rail service including Caltrain, Capitol Corridor, and the Altamont Corridor Express.

As the county’s congestion management agency, VTA is responsible for countywide transportation planning, including congestion management, design and construction of specific highway, pedestrian, and bicycle improvement projects, as well as promotion of transit oriented development.

VTA provides these services throughout the county, including Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale. VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.

As we continue to implement our VTA Forward Plan, we aim to strengthen and increase our workforce to take on future opportunities and challenges by elevating our people and our services.

For more information about our VTA Forward Plan, visit: https://www.vta.org/VTAForward

Family‑Friendly Workplace Certification Program (FFWCP)

The County of Santa Clara FFWCP recognizes VTA as a business that creates supportive workplaces for employees and their families.

Family‑friendly workplaces improve health outcomes and job satisfaction for employees and increase work productivity and retention for employers. Employers can create a family‑friendly workplace by meeting and exceeding state and federal employment laws relating to parental leave, lactation accommodation, and work/family balance.

Opened continuously until vacant positions are filled.

Typical Tasks

• Performs inspections and repairs of all overhead contact wires, poles, support, distribution, communication and signal cables, insulators and switch gears;
• Performs inspections and repairs of lighting and other electrical systems;
• Operates boom and tower trucks and other equipment and tools;
• Operates welding equipment;
• Keeps tools and equipment clean and in good condition;
• Keeps records of work performed;
• May provide lead supervision and assist in training other workers;
• Prepares written reports, documents defects and repairs on inspection forms, work orders, or designated computer programs;
• Operates computer for related data input and retrieval;
• Performs related work as required.

Employment Standards

Training and education equivalent to a high school diploma and the following experience:

Two (2) years of verifiable experience as a journey level transit electrical line worker, working with over 600 Volts D.C.

OR