Lineman Assistant/Operator

This position will remain open through May 5, 2026.

Purpose of Position

Assists Journeymen in the construction, maintenance and repair of electrical transmission and distribution lines and equipment.  Operates boom trucks, back hoes, plow cats, excavators, or heavy equipment used in construction and maintenance of power lines.  Drives heavy truck and trailer to transport equipment and material to locations in the field.  Ensures assigned vehicles and equipment are kept in good repair, clean, and properly stocked, and performs other related work as required.

Core Competencies

• Safety:  Adhere to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, rules, and practices. Use of Personal Protective Equipment as required.  Take individual responsibility in managing safety risks and reporting unsafe conditions or unsafe work practices.  Respond positively to safety-oriented feedback. Contribute to a culture of safety.  
• Quality of Work:  Produce thorough, high quality work with minimal errors.  Seek feedback, make corrections as needed.  Identify problems and solve them.  Strive to improve processes.  Work collaboratively with team members to implement systemic changes.
• Productivity:  Complete assigned work in a timely fashion.  Utilize slow periods productively.  Produce amount and volume expected, at accepted speed.
• Technical Skills/Job Knowledge:  Demonstrate appropriate level of understanding of technical skills in area of expertise, technology, products, and/or processes involved.  Perform assigned duties.  Keep current on changes.  Competent with all technology and industry best practices necessary to perform job. Maintain necessary certification(s).
• Communication:  Oral and written communication clearly convey information.  Keep others informed of activities and problems in timely manner.  Listen well.  Respond appropriately and respectfully.
• Teamwork/Ability To Work With Others:  Demonstrate ability to work in positive manner with co-workers and/or customers with differing backgrounds, opinions, capabilities, etc.  Willingly share skills, competencies, and knowledge with others.  Establish and maintain strong, effective working relationships.  Contribute effectively to group efforts.  Promote harmony.  Agree to disagree without damaging relationships.
• Accountability:  Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality.  Arrive on-time and be prepared to work.  Accept responsibility for work and actions.  Be reliable.
• Integrity:  Demonstrate honesty, high ethical standards, and respect for all team members, co-workers, and KEC members.
• Professionalism:  Always address internal and external customers with courtesy and respect.  Dress in work attire appropriate to the position.  Communicate business information in timely fashion, using means of communication appropriate to the situation.
• Support of Cooperative Goals, Policies, and Procedures:  Support Cooperative goals.  Adhere to all Cooperative policies and procedures.  Understand that internal customer and external member focus is always top priority.  Contribute effectively in support of that priority.
• Problem-Solving:  Use sound logic and methodology to solve problems.  Explore multiple sources for answers, as required.  Able to identify hidden problems.  Propose solutions.

Job Responsibilities/ Essential Functions

• Operates overhead and underground stringing equipment, pullers, and tensioners.
• Operates one or more of the following pieces of equipment as directed:
  • Boom Truck/Digger Derrick:  Drives and operates truck-mounted digger derrick to dig holes for poles or anchors.
  • Truck:  Operates specially equipped truck to load, haul and unload poles.
  • Trailer:  Drives heavy truck and trailer to transport heavy equipment and material.  Helps load, unload, and secure truck loads and pole trailers.
  • Back-Hoe and Excavator:  Operates back-hoe around energized lines to dig, move, level, and distribute earth or to move snow.  Terrain will vary from level to extremely steep. 
  • Must be able to run ATVs and snow machines efficiently and safely. 
  • Must be able to run a boat efficiently and safely. 
• May perform maintenance tasks on equipment to ensure proper operating condition such as greasing.
• May use hand shovels, picks, bars and air tools to open or close ditches or other excavations.
• May operate jackhammer to drill holes for anchoring purposes and rock holes.
• Lineman Assistant duties may include:
  • Preparing splices, elbows, grounding of transformers, framing of poles, etc. on de-energized underground lines.
  • Must be competent in knot tying, rigging, and basic housekeeping of slings and ropes. 
  • Must know and understand all hand signals for running a digger derrick.
• May direct activities of personnel in equal or lower classification, including assisting in training apprentices.
• Zonars trucks and enters fleet into payroll system daily.
• Performs other duties as required.

Job Requirements 

• Education/Experience:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Valid unrestricted Class A (minimum) Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).  
  • Valid first aid and CPR certification within first 6 months of employment. 
  • Forklift certification within first year of employment.
  • Understanding of the line construction and maintenance trade.
  • Familiar with W.A.C. 296-45 standards and certified in OSHA 1910.269 training.
  • Knowledge and understanding the KEC Safety Work Practices Manual. 
• Knowledge/Skills:
  • Qualified to safely and competently operate all transportation and power operated line equipment.
  • Ability to write legibly and maintain records, files, and complete forms.
  • Good listener, tries to understand others.
  • Effective in communicating with varied groups or individuals.
  • Possess a safe work record.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude. 
  • Strong attention to accuracy and detail.
  • Computer skills and proficiency with mobile device technology and applications required.
  • Ability to work under stressful and/or difficult conditions.
  • Ability to observe and interpret situations.
  • Ability to compare, compute, compile, analyze, and coordinate.

• Physical Demands:

	Up to 1 Hr Per Day	Up to 2 Hrs Per Day	Up to 3 Hrs Per Day	Up to 4 Hrs Per Day	Up to 5 Hrs Per Day	Up to 6 Hrs Per Day	Up to 7 Hrs Per Day	Up to 8 to 10 Hrs Per Day
Standing								X
Walking								X
Sitting		X
Keyboarding	X
Seeing, Viewing								X
Talking & Listening							X

Job may require lifting and/or carrying:

	Never	Occasionally	Frequently	Continuously
Up to 10 lbs.			X
Up to 20 lbs.			X
Up to 30 lbs.			X
Up to 50 lbs.		X
Up to 100 lbs.		X - with assistance

Job can require:

	Never	Occasionally	Frequently	Continuously
Bending			X
Squatting			X
Crawling		X
Climbing			X
Reaching above shoulder level			X

Activities can include:

	Never	Occasionally	Frequently	Continuously
Unprotected heights		X
Around noisy machinery			X
Exposure to marked temperature changes			X
Driving automotive equipment				X
Exposure to dust/fumes/gases			X

Note: "Occasionally" means 1% to 33%, "Frequently" means 34% to 66%, "Continuously" means 67% to 100%.

• Working Conditions/Hazards: 
  • Exposed to high voltage and all types of weather.
  • Operates equipment around traffic obstructions.
  • Extensive travel driving to member and/or KEC property locations. Travel may be required for training and/or other purposes.
  • Must be available for unscheduled work.
  • On occasion, may be required to work extended hours (up to 24 hours) without sleep in severe weather conditions and mountainous terrain.

Member-owned electric utility serving North Idaho.