First Class Line Technician

Job Title: First Class Line Technician
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Department: Electric
Grade: 15

NATURE OF WORK
This is skilled work of a journeyman level in the installation, repair and maintenance of the electric generating and distribution system.
Work involves performance of overhead and underground line work and general outside wiring in connection with the installation, repair, and maintenance of equipment of the electric generating and distribution system. Employees frequently work with live high voltage lines and sometimes under unfavorable weather conditions and thus must exercise exceptional care in order to protect their own lives as well as those of other employees. Employees of this class instruct and train other line and service technicians. Work is normally performed with considerable technical independence under the general supervision of a superior. Work is subject to inspection by the supervisor while in progress or upon completion for quality and operating results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK
Installs, maintains and repairs temporary and permanent electric lines and related equipment; mounts meter sockets and installs meters; runs service entrance cables; runs wire from pole to structure.
Installs and maintains all types of undergrounds systems, including necessary hardware for fiber-optic systems; performs necessary splicing and connection work for systems and installs cable.
Hauls and sets poles as required; climbs poles and hooks up service drops; works with hot secondary and primary wires; replaces transformers, fuses, and switches.
Replaces broken house brackets, damaged or overloaded service wires, and damaged or defective meters; trims and cuts trees.
Hangs and maintains streetlights.
Performs switching operations on lines and in substations.
Investigates power failures; determines source of trouble; takes appropriate action to restore power.
Maintains electrical equipment, line and bucket trucks, or other equipment as needed; reports repairs as required. Assists in loading and unloading materials and equipment; keeps trucks properly stocked with parts, tools, and supplies.
Serves as crew supervisor in absence of supervisory personnel. Oversees and trains service technicians and second class line technicians who climb, operate some equipment, and work lower voltage lines.
Performs a variety of electric maintenance duties at city buildings and at the Hydroelectric Plant.
Performs traffic control functions and other related work as required.
Attends electrical training classes or other classes as directed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OF WORK
Requires high school diploma (or the equivalent); meets all requirements of and had experience as a service technician and a second class line technician in working with equipment, materials and tools used in ground operations.
Experience in the erection, maintenance and repair of electrical line systems and the use of line technician equipment, materials and tools, supplemented with considerable training as an electrician; or any combination of experience providing the following knowledge, abilities, and skills.
Knowledge of the approved methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in electrical line installation and maintenance work.
Knowledge of occupational hazards and proper safety precautions.
Knowledge of the principles of electrical theory as applied to electrical power circuits and distribution systems.
Knowledge of first aid including artificial respiration.
Ability and willingness to climb poles and to work among high tension wires, exercising proper safety precautions.
Ability to understand and follow oral instructions quickly and accurately.
Ability to write and maintain records, reports and other written forms.
Ability to work under adverse weather conditions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and to deal with the public in a pleasant and courteous manner.
Ability to plan work and properly instruct others.
Ability and willingness to be on call duty at any time.
Skill in the use of line technician tools and equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk or hear, and reach with hands and arms; frequently climb and balance 35 to 90 foot poles and work among high tension lines; and occasionally sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is regularly required to lift up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distant, color and peripheral vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee is regularly required to work in wet, humid, and outdoor conditions where there is a risk of electrical shock; frequently required to work in extreme cold and hot weather near moving mechanical parts; and regularly required to work around energized equipment. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places, near vibration, as well as places where fumes or airborne particles are present. Frequent exposure to loud noise and occasion very loud noise exists. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Must have a valid Virginia Commercial Driver’s License, or must be able to obtain one within 6 months of employment.
Must be able to report to work site within 30 minutes for after-hours emergency call-back situations.
Must become certified in first aid and artificial respiration, and obtain VDOT flagger’s certification within 90 days of hire date.

Note: Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.