Power Line Specialist - Electric Utility Division

City of Richmond; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Richmond seeks qualified candidates for multiple Power Line Specialist positions in the Electric Utility Division. The Street Lighting Department maintains and services over 32,000 streetlights, over 310 miles of overhead and underground wiring that directly supply the power to the street lighting system.

The incumbents will be responsible for the construction, installation and maintenance and support of the Electric Utility Street Lighting Distribution system and all related

Qualifications

• Knowledge of OSHA and safety regulations.
• Experience with high voltage utility systems.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings and blueprints.
• Ability to work at significant heights and around high/low voltage wires.
• Strong problem-solving, judgement and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Install overhead and underground wires and cables.
• Make terminations, install transformers and poles.
• Troubleshoot electrical distribution grids and substations.
• Pole climbing.
• Work in confined spaces.

Skills

OSHA safety regulations

High voltage systems

Electrical wiring & transformers

Read blueprints

Work at heights

Electrical safety

Critical thinking

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED with vocational training

Job description

The City of Richmond, Department of Public Utilities is seeking qualified candidates to fill multiple Power Line Specialist positions in the Electric Utility Division. The Street Lighting Department maintains and services over 32,000 streetlights, over 310 miles of overhead and underground wiring that directly supply the power to the street lighting system. The incumbents will be responsible for the construction, installation and maintenance and support of the Electric Utility Street Lighting Distribution system and all related infrastructure components.

This position is considered Essential Personnel, which means that the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions or inclement weather. The individual may be required to work nights, weekends, holidays or on-call as needed.

• Installing overhead and underground wires and cables.
• Making terminations, installing transformers and all types of poles.
• Troubleshooting electrical distribution grids and substations.
• Pole climbing.
• Working in confined spaces.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of related OSHA and safety regulations. Demonstrated experience working with high voltage utility system. Knowledge of electricity, wiring, circuits, transformers, cables and power lines. Experience maintaining streetlight circuits. An ability to read and understand technical drawings and blueprints. Demonstrated ability to work at significant heights. Demonstrated ability to work safely around low and high voltage wires. Demonstrated ability to make sound judgements while following safety regulations. Demonstrated ability to think critically and decide the best way to address a problem; recognizing issues and proactively troubleshooting the identified problem; and understanding the steps required for problem resolutions and workarounds. Effective communication skills.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• High School Diploma or GED with specialized vocational training.
• Requires Journeyman/Lineman card.
• Two years working with high voltage power lines.
• An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record .
• A valid Commonwealth of Virginia Commercial Driver's License with required endorsements must be obtained within 30 days of hire.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS:

Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to walking, standing, stooping, lifting, digging, pushing and raising objects. Working conditions may include exposure to bright/dim light, dust and pollen, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, animals/wildlife, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, and toxic/caustic chemicals. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be heavy work, exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.