Service Mechanic C-A

American Electric Power•Luling, TX

About The Position

This is an apprentice-level position assisting with service work involving the installation, rearrangement, maintenance, operation, removal, and inspection of electrical transmission and distribution facilities. The role also drives and operates line trucks and associated auxiliary equipment, responds to trouble calls, investigates and helps clear trouble, and supports construction and repair crews as needed. Duties apply to overhead and underground facilities where applicable and may include related or incidental work. The employee assists with maintenance and repair of overhead distribution and transmission lines, structures, and equipment while following company safety rules and reporting unsafe conditions. Work involving energized conductors and equipment is performed within voltage qualifications and under the level of supervision specified for the employee’s classification and experience. The position provides on-the-job training and may progress in responsibilities and supervision as skills develop. The role assembles, installs, maintains, removes, and inspects conductors, fixtures, poles, towers, structures, and related equipment; operates mechanized equipment; uses electrical testing equipment; and performs line inspection and troubleshooting. It also requires maintaining tools and work areas, keeping records, attending training, assisting with training others, and working safely at significant heights and in physically demanding conditions.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
At least one year of distribution electrical power line work experience; alternatively, one year of related line experience consisting of successful completion of a one-year electrical power line school certificate plus at least 16 weeks of internship or distribution electrical power line experience, or an associate degree from an electrical power line school including at least 16 weeks of internship or distribution electrical power line experience.
Valid Class A Commercial Driver License.
Physical demand level is Heavy Work.
Ability and desire to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the duties and responsibilities of Service Mechanic A within the company-determined timeframe, and to qualify through demonstration, examination, or performance appraisal, or vacate the current classification.
Good working knowledge of circuit connections, line-voltage identification, phasing, transformer connections, and switching devices.
Knowledge of electricity fundamentals and ability to interpret field prints, switching diagrams, simple blueprints, one-line diagrams, instruction manuals, and construction drawings.
Ability to interact courteously and properly with employees, customers, and the general public.
Ability to use a computer and electronic devices, write legibly, and record information accurately.
Ability to distinguish colors.
Ability to work aloft on poles, towers, and structures; use tools and operate equipment; and manipulate bolts and screws with the fingers.
Ability to tolerate awkward or stretched positions while working aloft and suspended from a safety belt.
Ability to work at heights up to 250 feet and lift 75 pounds overhead.
Familiarity with company safety rules and practices and proficiency in resuscitation and first aid.
Ability to plan work and properly instruct others.

Responsibilities

Assist with maintenance and repair of overhead distribution and transmission lines, structures, and equipment, following company safety rules and reporting unsafe conditions and practices.
Work on energized conductors and equipment within the specified voltage qualification and supervision requirements for the classification and time in the role.
Under required supervision, operate cutouts, line switches, reclosers, other sectionalizing devices, and refuse line and transformer devices; test de-energized lines and equipment; and place or remove grounds.
After 18 months in the classification, perform specified first-six-month SMB duties for on-the-job training under the direct supervision of an employee of higher classification.
Assemble, install, maintain, remove, and inspect conductors, fixtures, and associated overhead and underground equipment.
Operate mechanized equipment needed to install, remove, or maintain transmission and distribution facilities.
Become familiar with the use and care of live-line tools and electrical test equipment, including volt-amp meters, ground meggers, and continuity testers, for line work up to 600 volts.
Load, unload, handle, install, maintain, and remove poles, towers, and structures.
Assemble and erect equipment mountings, including regulator and transformer platforms, and build overhead transformer installations.
Identify single- and three-phase lines and determine voltage and conductor size; become familiar with series and parallel circuits.
Gain poles in the air and install single, double, and buck arms.
Inspect and troubleshoot lines and report irregularities and abnormal conditions.
Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition.
Maintain records and submit reports as required.
Attend and participate in assigned training and assist in training other employees.
Perform similar or less-skilled work and assist employees of equal or higher classification.
Drive and operate line trucks and associated auxiliary equipment.
Assist with trouble calls and support construction and repair crews as required.