1077 - Groundman

Black & Veatch Family of Companies•Waggaman, LA

About The Position

The Groundman assists skilled substation craft workers with installing or repairing cables and wires used in electrical power and distribution systems. The role performs physical labor at construction sites, including preparing sites, digging trenches, supporting excavations, and removing rubble and waste. The Groundman learns and uses hand and power tools to move materials, pull cable, place insulating or fireproofing materials, work with concrete and other materials, and perform routine construction tasks. Work may shift among tasks as projects progress. The Groundman supports journeymen with planning, laying out, installing, and repairing wiring, electrical fixtures, apparatus, and control equipment according to plans and specifications. The role learns to interpret construction drawings and substation diagrams, observe installed equipment, identify field issues and hazards, and take or report corrective action. Safety, quality work, communication, coordination with other crafts, and participation in training are central to the position. This is a safety-sensitive position in a typical construction-site environment, with strenuous outdoor work in varied weather and temperatures.

Requirements

0–2 years of experience working as a laborer or in any construction craft as a helper.
Basic knowledge of substation work.
Ability to understand and follow directions.
Must have all necessary tools according to the Laborer tool list.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Ability to complete applicable pre-employment onboarding requirements, which may include background checks, a drug screen, and a motor vehicle records search.
Ability to use effective verbal and written communication and perform basic arithmetic with whole numbers and fractions.
Physical ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds; stand, kneel, bend, stoop, and move through confined, cluttered, or uneven areas; perform repetitive movements; handle tools and controls; and climb and balance on steel framework, stairs, ladders, and scaffolds.
Ability to work up to a 12-hour shift performing hard physical labor in temperature extremes and outdoor conditions.

Nice To Haves

NCCER Construction Craft Laborer, NCCER Core Curriculum, or equivalent Craft Training Program.

Responsibilities

Assist skilled substation craft workers with installing or repairing cables and wires used in electrical power or distribution systems.
Use hand and power tools to dig, spread and level dirt and gravel; move materials and supplies; pull cable from truck-mounted reels; place insulating or fireproofing materials; clean tools and work areas; and mix, pour, and spread construction materials.
Perform routine construction tasks such as removing concrete forms, filling expansion joints, placing culvert sections, assembling dredge pipeline sections, and driving stakes.
Perform cleaning, compacting, grading, painting, sanding, or stripping tasks as assigned, and prepare construction sites to eliminate hazards.
Participate in safety processes, pre-job planning, and safety discussions; identify and mitigate hazards; report concerns, accidents, and near misses; and use stop-work authority when needed.
Follow safety rules and warning devices and maintain a safe, clean work environment.
Communicate effectively, listen to coworkers, coordinate work with other crafts, and participate in on-the-job training and mentoring opportunities.
Produce quality work that meets plans, specifications, and industry standards.
Learn to read and understand plans and specifications, including one-line diagrams, cable and conduit schedules, ladder diagrams, P&IDs, and loop diagrams; visualize two-dimensional drawings in three dimensions.
Assist journeymen with planning, layout, installation, or repair of wiring, electrical fixtures, apparatus, and control equipment, and learn to perform layout independently.
Observe installed equipment or systems for hazards or the need for adjustments, relocation, or replacement, and notify supervision of hazards.
Examine field conditions, identify problems, inaccuracies, or cost-saving measures, and take corrective action or report issues to supervision.
If certified to operate equipment, operate and maintain it correctly, ensure it is in good working order, and complete daily equipment inspections.
Perform other job-related duties as requested by the supervisor.