IF Power Journeyman Lineman

About the Department

The City of Idaho Falls is accepting applications for a Journeyman Lineman for IF Power.  This position performs a variety of journey level, technical duties related to performing and effecting power system installation, distribution, transmission and maintenance. Performs line maintenance work and new construction, including pole climbing and live line work as per approved safety procedures. Performs "troubleshooter" or "serviceman" duties on a rotating schedule.

Position Duties

Conducts general technical analysis of line functions and operations as needed to anticipate and prevent line problems; makes recommendations for line specifications on new construction and circuit enhancements; prepares routine reports of activities; uses various equipment, tools and vehicles in maintaining an electrical distribution system to assure against loss of service.

Installs, erects, and sets street lights, security lights, steel and wood light poles, and power poles for all City systems, including commercial properties, residential properties, airport, and playing fields; performs construction, installation, maintenance and repair of circuits for overhead and underground power lines; digs trenches and lays conduit for underground lines; may assist in building new substations and maintaining existing substations.

Receives calls from the public or from division dispatch regarding various emergency issues and concerns; provides over-the-phone remedies when possible; travels to emergency locations and performs necessary repair activities; as needed enlists the help of a power crew to resolve complex and large issues, such as power outages, down lines, etc; acts as backup to tree trimming crews.

Responds to incidents involving street lights and security lighting; determines nature of the problems and performs general maintenance as needed.

Provides direct customer services related to account connects and disconnects; receives requests for services and completes required action according to established policy, practice and procedures; coordinates and cooperates with electrical inspector to resolve compliance issues; may engage contractors or property owners to assist with explanations and general education.

Contributes to GIS operations; assists to identify changes in mapped elements for the GIS system related to electrical operations and service; generates maps as needed to perform daily functions.

Responds to emergency calls and trouble calls for power outages, down lines, power line obstructions, etc.; follows foreman instructions on procedures to restore electrical service; performs switching and troubleshooting; makes connections and disconnections for customers; informs public of pending outages due to repair; trims trees and removes other line obstructions; explains problems to public; requests cooperation during repair; uses various technical tools including crimpers, hot sticks, cutters, body belts, bucket truck, wire pullers, etc.

Performs connecting, installing, maintaining and repairing of energized overhead and underground power distribution and transmission lines; operates line trucks, line working apparatus and heavy equipment; digs pole holes and trenches, sets and frames poles; climbs poles, descends into vaults or trenches; strings lines; splices and sags wire on live or dead circuits; connects or disconnects transformers, cutouts, meters and guy wires, changes insulators on high voltage lines and taps into transmission lines; makes URD splicing and terminations; locates damaged lines and poles.

Troubleshoots power distribution equipment to determine problems; splices cables; repairs, sets and terminates transformers; conducts voltage and amperage checks and system tests; replaces fixtures in crossarms; hangs insulators; replaces and repairs fuses, grounds, etc.

Makes repairs and modifications on distribution transformers; installs, terminates, repairs, and splices, underground distribution cables; assists in connecting, disconnecting, and transporting portable, sub-transformers; sets transformer pads and transformers.

Operates specialized equipment in locating faults in underground lines; installs sectionalizers, oil reclosures, transformers, and capacitors on poles for residential and commercial use.

Performs a variety of maintenance testing, on electrical instruments including recording volt and amp meters, transformers, etc., used in electrical utility programs for testing equipment; tests and maintains equipment; determines cause of equipment malfunction.

Inspects personal protective equipment used in high voltage work, including rubber gloves, etc.; performs complex electrical maintenance projects on city buildings and facilities; runs power lines, installs breakers, installs main power boxes; installs and maintains plugs and related connections.

Reads meters to determine charges on connect and disconnect orders; and trims trees.

Performs miscellaneous duties affecting the overall delivery and quality of power services; pulls wire; completes termination's and performs shut-off's, utilizes rubber gloving methods; prepares rigging for poles; assists substation readings; performs permanent power and temporary power connections; responds to power outages; assists to maintain inventory of transformers and related equipment, materials and supplies.

Operates chipper; performs routine service on all trucks; conducts and participates in safety meetings; performs tree trimming; operates backhoe, boom trucks, dump truck, etc.

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education and Experience:

A. Sufficient education and training to demonstrate an ability or aptitude to perform above and related duties;  AND  B. Successful completion of a four (4) year apprenticeship, plus passage of a certification test approved by I.B.E.W. and administered by the City of Idaho Falls;  OR  C. An equivalent combination of education and experience.

2. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Considerable knowledge of procedures for installation of high voltage power lines and equipment; hazards and safety precautions associated with high voltage; equipment and tools required to effectively perform duties; terminology and nomenclature of the electrical field; operation of heavy duty power equipment; construction and maintenance; modern methods, principles and practices of power transmission and distribution; operation of meters, gages and instruments associated with electricity and electric power distribution; metering equipment maintenance; equipment and materials used in construction and maintenance operations; current codes, standards, safety practices and principles involved in power utility operations. Some knowledge of general electrical engineering principles and practices; legal environment associated with power utility projects; principles of supervision; some knowledge of interpersonal communication skills.

Journey Skill in installation of high voltage lines, wire, and equipment. Skill in the operation of backhoe, wire pulling machine, boring machine, underground locator, and rigging equipment.

Ability to work independently in completing responsible tasks; ability to make procedural decisions accurately where error could in all weather conditions; ability to perform arduous physical labor; ability to develop effective working relationships with Supervisors, fellow employees, and the public; ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing; ability to operate radio communication equipment.

3. Special Qualifications:

Must pass I.B.E.W. Journeyman Lineman exam.
Must possess a valid Class A Commercial Driver's License.
Must be or become certified in the following: rubber glove, confined space, flagger, First Aid, CPR, forklift, OSHA safety and vault rescue.
Must be available to work in an on-call basis outside of normal business hours.
Must, within 6 months of hire, live within 25 miles of Idaho Falls Power Main Office.

Other Qualifications

Incumbent of the position performs in both indoor and outdoor settings. Tasks may require periodically a variety of physical activities involving muscular strain, related to walking, standing, stooping, sitting, reaching and lifting (50 lbs or greater). Essential functions require talking, hearing and seeing. Common eye, hand, finger dexterity required. Mental application utilizes memory for details, verbal instructions, emotional stability, discriminating thinking and creative problem solving. Periodic travel required in normal course of job performance and exposure to season weather extremes.