Journeyman Lineman

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation•Cookeville, TN

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation (UCEMC) is an electric power distribution cooperative owned and operated by its members. UCEMC distributes electric power through more than 4,775 miles of lines to over 54,000 members primarily in Jackson, Overton, Putnam, and Smith Counties. UCEMC is seeking a motivated and safety-conscious Groundman/Apprentice/Journeyman Lineman to join their team in Cookeville, TN. This role involves assisting in the construction, maintenance, and repair of electrical distribution lines and equipment, working under the supervision of experienced linemen, and ensuring reliable electric service to members. The position requires operating and maintaining tools, equipment, and vehicles safely, climbing poles, working at heights or in confined spaces, and responding to outages and emergencies. A commitment to cooperative principles and member service is essential.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must have or be able to obtain a CDL.
Ability to perform physically demanding work in various weather conditions.
Willingness to learn and progress through the lineman training program.
Ability to climb poles and work at heights.
Knowledge of electrical systems, safety regulations, and industry standards.
Must possess (or be able to obtain within six (6) months of acquiring the position) and maintain valid class “A” Tennessee commercial driver’s license.
Must be able to follow written and verbal instructions.
Must be able to function adequately in emergency situations.
Must be able to perform bucket truck rescue.
Must be able to accurately read all standard meters.
Must be certified in basic first aid and CPR in accordance with Cooperative policies and procedures.
Must be able to perform pole-top and bucket truck rescues.
Must be able to safely drive and operate Cooperative vehicles and equipment used in the construction and maintenance of the electric distribution system.
Must have satisfactorily gained the knowledge required of Groundman and must be continuing to learn the principles and practices in line construction, service, and maintenance requirements in an electric distribution system.
Must continue to learn and become proficient in the operation, maintenance, and repair of switching and sectionalizing equipment.
Must continue to learn and become proficient in the installation of transformers, wiring of transformer banks, regulators, capacitors, and other complicated equipment.
Must continue to learn and become proficient in recognizing all hazards and working in a safe manner, observing all safety rules.
Must continue to learn and become proficient in RUS specifications, National Electrical Code and National Electrical Safety Code.
Must continue to learn and become proficient in nominal voltages, safe working practices, minimum approach distances, required personal protective equipment (PPE), personal protective grounding procedures and emergency procedures.
Must know the proper use, care, inspection, and replacement procedures for rubber gloves, work gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, climbers, body belts, safety glasses, safety straps, fall protection, and personal tools.
Must possess strong working knowledge of principles and practices in line construction, service, operation, and maintenance of an electric distribution system.
Must possess strong working knowledge of using and reading all types of indicating or measuring instruments used on electric distribution lines and related equipment.
Must possess thorough understanding of the operations, maintenance, and repair of switching and sectionalizing equipment.
Must possess thorough understanding of the installation of transformers, wiring of transformer banks, regulators, capacitors, and other complicated equipment.
Must possess thorough understanding of RUS specifications, National Electrical Code, and National Electrical Safety Code.
Must possess strong working knowledge of the proper use, care, inspection, and replacement procedures for rubber gloves, work gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, climbers, body belts, safety glasses, safety straps, fall protection, and personal tools.
Must have a minimum of five (5) years progressive work experience in electric utility system line construction, operations, and maintenance.
A minimum of (1) year experience as a Groundman and a minimum of (4) years of progressive work experience in the Apprentice Lineman Classifications or other approved equivalent training program is required.

Nice To Haves

Enrollment in or completion of an approved apprenticeship program preferred.
Minimum of three (3) months experience in applying the skills necessary for the position with an electric cooperative or related type organization is preferred.
Must satisfactorily complete an approved climbing school (such as SELCAT or TVPPA’s Pre-Apprentice Climbing Lab) before entering the lineman apprenticeship program. This step may be waived if the First Year Apprentice has successfully completed an approved climbing/Lineman school, is recommended by his/her District Manager for Apprentice Lineman Advancement evaluation, and passes the evaluation per Apprentice Lineman Advancement criteria.
Within first six (6) months in the position, must complete Part I of TVPPA’s Lineman Apprenticeship Correspondence Training Program and applicable lab.
Must have completed TVPPA’S Apprentice Lineman Correspondence Training Program or equivalent training approved by management.

Responsibilities

Assist in the construction, maintenance, and repair of overhead and underground electrical distribution lines and equipment.
Work under the supervision of experienced linemen, following all safety protocols to ensure reliable electric service to our members.
Operate and maintain tools, equipment, and vehicles safely and effectively.
Climb poles and work at heights or in confined spaces as needed.
Follow all safety regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure a safe work environment.
Respond to outages, emergencies, and after-hours calls as required.
Read and interpret work orders, maps, and schematics.
Maintain a commitment to cooperative principles and member service.
Learn the tools and materials needed for line construction and maintenance.
Gain the knowledge, experience, and skills necessary to enter the apprenticeship training program.
Assist linemen and learn how to properly use and store hand lines and rope block assemblies.
Learn how to read meters.
Learn various materials used in the construction of rural electric power lines.
Assist linemen and learn how to frame poles on the ground.
Perform other duties such as installing pole grounds, hardware, insulators, and cross arms on the ground.
Install anchors, pull and secure guy wires to anchors.
Spot poles and secure them to be framed on the ground.
Tamp and plumb poles.
Load and haul poles in a safe manner.
Clear and clean rights-of-way.
Learn to accurately read all types of watt-hour meters.
Climb poles and work on de-energized poles and equipment after completing an approved climbing school.
Attend and participate in safety meetings.
Learn to perform line construction, maintenance, and service of distribution lines, substations, and associated equipment.
Learn to make up various assemblies such as cross arms, down guys, overhead guys, and primary and secondary dead-ends.
Learn to read transformer nameplates to determine size and voltage ratings.
Operate line equipment in compliance with regulations and safe practices.
Study APPA safety manual and Cooperative safety manuals.
Become familiar with standards of construction and safe methods of handling jobs.
Study and become familiar with all Cooperative policies and procedures.
Perform part-time supervisory functions to ensure line personnel observe safety rules and execute work orders.
Provide direction and training of line crew personnel in the lineman apprenticeship training program.
Perform extremely complicated line construction and maintenance work on energized secondaries and on dead primary conductors, structures, and equipment.
Perform complicated work on energized primary conductors and equipment under close supervision.
Carry out service and work order assignments.
Interpret staking sheets and prepare material tickets.
Prepare daily time sheets and field and inspection reports.
Maintain courteous relationships with members.
Perform scheduled tool inspections.
Perform 'on-call' duty assignments, including weekends, nights, and holidays.
Safely operate trucks and other construction equipment.
Seek out cause and repair trouble on low voltage or primary lines and substations.
Check polarity and connect all types of transformer banks.
Make repairs and maintain transformers, circuit breakers, and sectionalizers, and adjust or maintain cutouts.