Line Technician I, Ii, Iii, IV

City of Gastonia • Gastonia, NC

11d • Onsite

About The Position

This position involves multiple levels (I, II, III, IV) of work related to the installation, maintenance, and repair of low and high-voltage electrical lines. Responsibilities vary by level but include operating specialized vehicles, climbing poles, working with electrical components, performing service connections, trimming trees, and responding to emergencies. Higher levels involve more complex tasks, potential supervision, and specialized knowledge such as "hotline" work and substation maintenance. The role requires adherence to safety protocols, participation in meetings, and potentially extended hours, including weekends and holidays.

Requirements

• Minimally qualified candidates starting pay: $31.4774 (Line Technician I)
• Some knowledge of electric line construction, maintenance, and service and the hazards encountered.
• Ability and willingness to learn to set poles, string wire and do related work.
• Ability to perform manual labor.
• Ability to follow oral directions.
• Ability to observe safety rules and regulations.
• Strength to perform manual work and physical stamina to withstand working under adverse weather conditions.
• Some knowledge of the standard practices applicable in making electric service connections.
• Some knowledge of the location of the distribution system and the areas served.
• General knowledge of electric line construction, maintenance, and service and the hazards encountered (Line Technician II).
• General knowledge of the tools techniques, and equipment that apply to power line work (Line Technician II).
• General knowledge of the location of the distribution system and the areas served (Line Technician II).
• General knowledge of the principles of electricity as applied to power distribution lines (Line Technician II).
• Skill in the use of line tools and equipment, including a bucket truck and underground equipment (Line Technician II).
• Ability to climb poles, and work efficiently and safely (Line Technician II).
• Ability to make proper connections with speed and accuracy (Line Technician II).
• Ability to deal courteously with the public (Line Technician II).
• Thorough knowledge of the practices, methods, equipment, materials and tools used in the erection and maintenance of electrical lines (Line Technician III).
• Thorough knowledge of the standard practices applicable in making electric service connections (Line Technician III).
• Thorough knowledge of the location of the distribution system and of the areas service (Line Technician III).
• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards connected with the work and the safety precautions to be taken (Line Technician III).
• Skill in the use of line tools and equipment, including working aloft in a bucket truck; ability to climb poles and work with efficiency and safety (Line Technician III).
• Ability to make proper service connections with speed and accuracy (Line Technician III).
• Ability to train and supervise a helper (Line Technician III).
• Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions (Line Technician III).
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers and subordinates (Line Technician III).
• Skill in the use and care of tools (Line Technician III).
• Thorough knowledge, skills, and abilities as depicted under Line Technician III (Line Technician IV).
• Graduation from high school (Line Technician I, II, III, IV).
• Supplemented by minimal experience in the construction and maintenance of power distribution lines, or equivalent combination of education and experience (Line Technician I).
• Moderate experience in the construction and maintenance of power distribution lines, or equivalent combination of education and experience (Line Technician II).
• Considerable experience in the construction and maintenance of power distribution lines, or equivalent combination of education and experience (Line Technician III).
• Possession of a Journeyman Lineman Card by successfully completing an accredited Lineman Apprenticeship Program recognized by the State of North Carolina and the United States Department of Labor (Line Technician IV).
• Must also have completed 12,000 verifiable electric-utility-industry hours in the construction and maintenance of power distribution lines and equipment (Line Technician IV).
• Complete NIMS IS 100, 200, and 700 training within twelve months (Line Technician I).
• Complete NIMS IS 100, 200, and 700 training within eighteen months (Line Technician II, III, IV).
• Obtain Class B Commercial driver's license within six months of hire (Line Technician I).
• Valid commercial driver's license (Line Technician II, III).
• Valid commercial driver’s license issued by the State of North Carolina (Line Technician IV).
• Possession of NC Journeyman Lineman Certification upon hire (Line Technician IV).
• Must possess a valid appropriate driver's license with acceptable driving history.
• Drug screening, criminal background, and reference checks are required.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to take clearances and occasionally perform switching at unattended substations and line sectionalizing disconnect switches.

Responsibilities

• Performs installation, maintenance, and repair work on low and high-voltage lines.
• Operates line trucks and bucket trucks, loads wire, transformers, poles, etc.
• Assists with a variety of emergency problems and may be required to work extended hours in emergency situations.
• Replaces broken and burned-out street light bulbs.
• Climbs poles.
• Reads and resets various meters.
• Cuts on and cuts off electric service at the pole.
• Follows up broken meter seal reports.
• Makes service connections to residences and business establishments.
• Trims trees as necessary for the performance of other duties.
• Installs transformers and wires up secondaries.
• Installs, repairs, and replaces cross arms, leg supports, cables, insulators, and lightning arrestors.
• Performs required line work on energized and de-energized circuits.
• Installs, maintains, and removes meters.
• Installs and repairs street and yard lights.
• Replaces defective poles.
• Makes new service connections to residences and business establishments by installing transformers and secondary wires from pole to point of service.
• Checks voltage and phase rotation.
• Installs voltage and current transformers.
• Maintains and installs underground services.
• Operates all underground mechanical digging machines, locators, and test equipment.
• Participates in the after-hours on-call roster as required.
• Participates in pre- and post-job "tail-gate" meetings.
• Attends monthly safety meetings as required.
• Frames poles, installs hardware, fuses, transformers, and pulls wires.
• Ties in conductors and changes insulators.
• Performs electrical "hotline" work as required.
• Familiar with the proper uses of various hot line tools and equipment.
• Installs and removes cross arms, cutouts, lighting arresters, primary and secondary lines, span guys, breaker bars, etc.
• Carries out the requisite groundwork in preparation for and after a job.
• Maintains and repairs street and rental lights as required.
• Maintains necessary paperwork and transformer card data as needed.
• Acts as an electric service troubleshooter.
• Takes clearances and occasionally performs switching at unattended substations and line sectionalizing disconnect switches.
• Performs switching and sectionalizing of circuits as required.
• Installs single phase and multi-phase underground and overhead services.
• Maintains and assists in repairs of various substation equipment as required.
• Wires transformer rated meters.
• Diagnoses problems in the field.
• Responds with sound judgment to unusual and hazardous circumstances and determines action and restores service.
• Maintains responsibility for verifying the condition of all vehicles, equipment, and tools provided for use in the performance of city work.
• May be required to supervise a crew or oversee a project.
• Must be able to follow and enforce City of Gastonia policy.
• Must display a positive attitude and be committed to providing excellent customer service.
• Ensures crew[s] provide excellent customer service.

Benefits

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
• We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity.
• The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED