OPPORTUNITIES

JOB SUMMARY/DESCRIPTION:

The specific purpose of the Apprentice Lineperson is to provide for a planned program of progressive training and experiences that will result in the development of skills and knowledge necessary for the construction, operation, and maintenance of a reliable electric system. Under the direction of the Line Operations Manager and Foreperson, the Apprentice Lineperson is responsible for building, maintaining, and repairing overhead and underground power distribution lines within the scope of their training and certification in a safe and efficient manner within accepted operations standards.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Interprets company policies and methods and develops specific operating procedures.
• To provide the members with a reliable electric distribution system.
• Responds to power outages and member concerns and trouble shoots to restore power in a timely manner.
• Assist in providing safe work sites for employees and members.
• Treat all members with respect and dignity.
• Studies and learns required job knowledge and skills in order to advance in a timely manner through the complete apprenticeship program.
• Maintains current knowledge of equipment, RUS specifications, OSHA regulations, mapping system, and other operational and regulatory systems related to the responsibilities of the position.
• Loads and unloads material and equipment and sees that line trucks are kept stocked with sufficient inventory of supplies to make emergency repairs.
• Operates radio communications equipment, abiding by the Federal Communications Commission’s Rules & Regulations.
• Promotes electric use by taking every opportunity to acquaint the members with the productive uses of electricity; obtaining increased member and public understanding of the Cooperative’s objectives, plans and programs, and of rural electrification in general.
• Refrains self and others from using profane language, obscene actions, or any other negative behavior that would reflect unfavorably upon UDWI.

 General responsibilities applicable from apprentice to journeyman positions:

• Restores, quickly and efficiently, electric service and other services supplied by UDWI.
• Looks for efficiencies and reports problems that hinder the efficient completion of work.
• Participates in monthly safety meetings.
• Works with senior apprentices and journeyman to construct and maintain power lines within the scope of training and certification. Climbs poles of all types and performs jobs required of linemen off the poles, including changing out of arms, transformers, conductors, etc.
• Follows policies and procedures and seeks input when information is unclear, inadequate, or requires interpretation.
• To provide office employees with paperwork necessary to complete timely billing, payroll, material control, etc.
• Studies, learns, and complies with all safety practices, procedures, instructions.
• Operate vehicles as directed obeying all safety.
• Cuts right-of-way, trims trees, sprays and chips brush if needed to restore service.
• Performs routine equipment maintenance.
• Loads and unloads material and equipment and checks that line trucks are kept stocked with sufficient inventory of supplies to make emergency repairs.
• Returns all job locations to a neat, safe condition following completion of work removing all cartons and discarded materials.
• Operates radio communications equipment, abiding by the Federal Communications Commission’s Rules & Regulations.
• Refrains self and others from using profane language, obscene actions, or any other negative behavior that would reflect unfavorably upon UDWI.
• Reviews daily work schedules and orally confirms the understanding of the assigned work.
• Attends and participates in Annual Meeting as required or directed.
• Performs other work of this or any other classification requiring equal or lesser skills when assigned by supervisor.
• Reads meters as needed.
• Assumes responsibility for on-call work.

JOB REQUIREMENTS, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

• High School graduate or GED.
• Must have the ability to conduct oneself in a professional manner in the workplace and while representing the cooperative away from the office.
• Must observe all safety rules and regulations adopted by UDWI.
• Must hold a commercial driver’s license within one year of employment.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Works outside with great physical exertion requiring upper body strength and stamina.
• Frequently climbs poles and is exposed to the risk of high precarious places up to 55 feet or more, installing line materials and equipment such as transformers, re closures, cutouts, insulators, etc.
• Often works in awkward positions requiring lower body strength.
• Occasionally will stoop or bend to perform maintenance on a service or primary installation.
• Will lift material and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Will individually or with assistance pull or frequently lift materials, tools and weighing up to 50 pounds and may occasionally lift puc conductors from pole to pole.
• Must be certified able to perform bucket, pole top rescue, first aid and CPR.
• Shovels dirt works around noisy construction machinery and equipment and visually inspects work for safe connections and standards design.
• Works on uneven terrain in areas along and off road right-of-ways often encountering vehicular traffic.
• Will frequently work with or near energized lines (normally in voltage classes of 7.2 KV to 12.47 KV) and equipment requiring safe work habits and performed in accordance with established work procedures and specifications to avoid electric shock and injury.
• Frequently sits in a line truck to drive or ride to various line sites.
• At risk to exposure of blood borne pathogens.
• May be able to operate equipment including, but not limited to digger derrick trucks, bucket trucks, chain saws and any other construction or maintenance-related equipment.
• Will be exposed to chemical sprays used to clear right-of-way.
• Subject to random drug and alcohol testing consistent with DOT regulations and UDWI policies.

The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, the Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. 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. The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.