Apprentice Lineman OR Journeyman Lineman

Job Description

Apprentice Lineman

To acquire the skills necessary to safely and effectively construct, operate, and maintain overhead and underground electric facilities.  To respond to customer outages so that service can be restored safely, effectively, and efficiently. To complete the Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperative’s Lineman Training & Apprenticeship Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities will include but are not limited to, the following:

• A learning position responsible for acquiring the skills necessary for the safe construction, operation, and maintenance of energized and de-energized overhead and underground transmission and distribution facilities in accordance with RUS guidelines, NNEC practices and procedures, and National Electrical Safety Code specifications.
• Perform the following job functions – under supervision and/or as qualified:
  1. Install and remove services, meters and other special equipment at customers’ property.
  2. Perform line maintenance to ensure highest levels of continuity of service.
  3. Perform emergency work to restore the Cooperative’s primary electrical system to full operational capability.
  4. Read and/or remove meters and report readings, as requested.
  5. Provide assistance to customers on problems of proper service, line voltage, bill complaints and related areas.
  6. Climb poles, operate and work from bucket trucks, and operate line trucks, cable plows and other specialized equipment.
  7. Carry heavy material such as transformers and other line maintenance equipment.
  8. Switch substations and circuits and know the layout of the electrical system’s opening points and devices.
  9. Patrol and inspect distribution and transmission circuits.
  10. Maintain records required by work responsibilities and submit paperwork in a timely manner.
  11. Maintain motor vehicles and other assigned equipment in top condition, requesting maintenance as necessary.
  12. Drive vehicles, including those in excess of 26,000 GVW, and comply with all traffic laws, safety rules and regulations, and safe driving practices in operation of motor vehicles assigned.
  13. Attend, promote and participate in safety programs, first aid and CPR classes.
  14. Adhere to and abide by the Cooperative’s safety rules, policies and procedures.
  15. Participate in on-duty rotation and respond to after-hours calls.

Journeyman Lineman

To construct and maintain overhead and underground lines according to RUS specifications and NNEC safety rules and policies.  To respond to customer outages and restore service effectively and efficiently.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities will include but are not limited to, the following:

• Perform all phases of construction, operation and maintenance of energized and de-energized overhead and underground transmission and distribution facilities in accordance with RUS guidelines, NNEC practices and procedures, and The National Electrical Safety Code specifications.
• Install, maintain and remove transformers, reclosers, regulators, capacitors, etc.
• Install, maintain and remove poles, conductors and framing.
• Install, maintain and remove street lighting equipment.
• Replace transformer fuses and circuit fuses.
• Use specialized hot line tools.
• Operate trucks and derricks, augers, aerial devices and winches.
• Patrol and inspect distribution and transmission circuits.
• Acknowledge and report unsafe conditions and practices.
• Attend, promote and participate in safety programs, first aid and CPR classes.
• Complete and process all paperwork involved in routine and emergency work.
• Drive vehicles, including those in excess of 26,000 GVW.
• Assist in training of Apprentice Linemen.
• Perform the duty of Line Foreman when required.
• Perform service work as required.
• Adhere to and abide by the Cooperative’s safety rules, policies and procedures.
• Participate in on-duty rotation and respond to afterhours requests.
• Perform other duties as requested or assigned.
• Understand and perform the following job functions:
• 1. Install and remove services, meters and other special equipment at customers’ property.
  2. Perform line maintenance to ensure highest levels of continuity of service.
  3. Perform emergency work to restore the Cooperative’s primary electrical system to full operational capability.
  4. Read and/or remove meters and report readings, as requested.
  5. Provide assistance to customers on problems of proper service, line voltage, bill complaints and related areas.
  6. Climb poles, operate line trucks, trenchers and/or other underground equipment and operate and work from bucket trucks.
  7. Carry heavy material such as transformers and other line maintenance equipment.
  8. Perform all aspects of line work dealing with underground and overhead distribution and transmission and substation equipment.
  9. Maintain records required by work responsibilities and submit reports on a timely basis.
  10. Maintain motor vehicles and other assigned equipment in top condition, requesting maintenance as necessary.
  11. Comply with all traffic laws, safety rules and regulations, and safe driving practices in operation of motor vehicles assigned, ensuring at all times the safety of vehicle occupants, the vehicles and their load.
  12. Switch substations and circuits and know the layout of the electrical system’s opening points and devices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Related Qualifications

Education & Experience

Apprentice Lineman

• High School Diploma or the equivalent required
• Previous experience in construction and operation of equipment is desirable; Any additional electrical courses are desirable
• Must be able to complete the eight step Lineman Training & Apprenticeship Program administered by the Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives and the Northwest Linemen’s College in a timely manner
• Must have a valid Virginia driver’s’ license and acceptable driving record and be able to operate NNEC vehicles. Must have a valid Class A Virginia Commercial Driver’s license within 6 months of hire date.

Journeyman Lineman

• High School diploma or equivalent and successful completion of Lineman Development Program required.
• Must have five years of climbing experience with a rural electric distribution cooperative or equivalent; Any additional electrical courses are desirable.
• Must have a valid Class A Virginia Commercial Driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Apprentice Lineman

Ability to understand NNEC’s system maps, staking sheets, and other work order procedures required of this job.  Must know Cooperative’s safety rules.  Must have an effective knowledge of NNEC construction specifications and National Electrical Safety Code requirements pertaining to line construction.  Must keep informed of all of the Cooperative’s operating policies.

Each step of the program includes a one-week workshop at the Association’s training center in Palmyra, Virginia, five written tests, and a competency evaluation.  The tests are given at the Cooperative and administered by a Cooperative proctor.  The competencies are evaluated by the Line Crew Foremen.  The steps shall be completed at a rate of one step every six months until Step 6, when the steps shall be completed at a rate of one step every 12 months.  Successful completion of each step must be completed before the next step’s scheduled workshop at the training center or twelve months, in the case of the last step.

Failure to complete any step of the Lineman Training and Apprenticeship Program as outlined above will result in termination of employment.

An employee who terminates employment with the Cooperative within five (5) years of receiving training and tuition aid from the Cooperative towards the completion of their Journeyman Lineman certification must refund the entire amount of the reimbursement for such aid to the Cooperative.

Journeyman Lineman

Must have ability to understand the Cooperative’s system maps, staking sheets and other work order procedures required of the job.  Must know Cooperative’s safety rules.  Must have an effective knowledge of the Cooperative’s specifications for line construction and the National Electrical Safety Code.  Must be able to demonstrate ability to perform first aid and CPR.  Must have a thorough knowledge of the Cooperative’s service territory and the facilities therein.  Must be able to comprehend both verbal and written instructions.  Must be proficient in use of two-way radio equipment.

Special Requirements

Physical Requirements

Apprentice Lineman

Required to pass entrance physical-medical examination, including drug screening.  Must be willing and able to learn to climb effectively and perform assigned duties.  Must operate two-way radio equipment effectively.  Must demonstrate ability to perform first aid and CPR.  Must be able to comprehend both verbal and written instructions.  Must maintain a good working relationship with co-workers and demonstrate good public relations with members and the general public.

Must work in all types of weather conditions when necessary and wear protective equipment as required.  Must be willing to work overtime as required, sometimes extremely long hours with little rest.

Journeyman Lineman

Required to pass entrance physical-medical examination, including drug screening.  Must work in all types of weather conditions when necessary and wear protective equipment as required.  Must be willing to work overtime as required, sometimes extremely long hours with little rest.  Must be able to perform hard physical labor when necessary including lifting and carrying up to 150 pounds.

Working Conditions

Apprentice Lineman

This position involves primarily outside work and may require occasional lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 150 pounds, and routine lifting of objects weighing up to 50 pounds. This position also requires routine walking, standing, pulling, pushing, stooping, kneeling, climbing of poles and structures, and exposure of dirt, water, under all weather conditions.

Journeyman Lineman

This position involves primarily outside work and requires routine walking, standing, pulling, pushing, stooping, kneeling, climbing of poles and structures, and exposure of dirt, water, under all weather conditions.

Other Requirements

Apprentice Lineman & Journeyman Lineman

Must live within the service area of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (Cooperative) or within 20 miles of the office.   The Cooperative’s service area includes the George Washington District of Stafford County, King George County, Westmoreland County, Richmond County, Lancaster County and Northumberland County.  A new employee has 6 months to meet these requirements.  Existing employees are grandfathered but when relocating shall be treated as a new hire regarding this requirement.

Interested persons may complete an application online at www.nnec.coop/careers and include cover letter and resume.

The deadline to apply is April 30, 2024.