Transmission Line Mechanic C-A

American Electric Power•San Benito, TX

About The Position

Under direct supervision of a qualified person, perform work involved in installing, maintaining, rearranging, operating, removing, and inspecting de-energized electrical transmission and distribution facilities. Supervision levels and work assignments may vary according to operating conditions. A qualified person is a Line Mechanic or Supervisor knowledgeable about the work and capable of performing the appropriate emergency rescue. The position includes transmission line patrol and right-of-way work, installation and repair of overhead lines, pole and tower work, conductor and shield-wire installation, and climbing maintenance on transmission structures. The employee also maintains tools and equipment, operates authorized automotive and truck-mounted equipment, assists other employees, attends training, and completes required records and reports. The position requires a high school diploma or GED, qualifying transmission line work experience or related line-school education and internship/experience, and a valid Class A CDL. The work has heavy physical demands, including lifting and carrying loads, walking, climbing structures, and working in a bucket or lift.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED.
At least one year of transmission 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 transmission electrical power line experience; or an Associate degree from an electrical power line school that includes at least 16 weeks of internship or transmission electrical power line experience.
Valid Class A CDL.
Meet the listed physical demands: lift 75 pounds from floor/ground to waist level; carry 60 pounds for 20 feet; lift 50 pounds to chest level and 30 pounds to eye level; walk a total of 2 miles over an 8-hour shift; climb and work at 100 feet or higher on a ladder/structure; and ascend to and work in a bucket/lift at 150 feet or higher (tested at 60 feet).
Ability to discriminate between colors (not tested).

Responsibilities

Follow Company safety rules, regulations, and practices; report unsafe conditions and practices, irregularities, and abnormal conditions.
Patrol transmission lines using maps and drawings, and prepare right-of-way items on field drawings.
Perform right-of-way control procedures for transmission lines.
Install, maintain, and repair overhead lines.
Dig holes for poles, towers, and anchors; set poles, tower below-ground components, and guy anchorages; replace or stub poles, whether dead or energized.
Make up and install guys; assemble tower components and frame pole structures on the ground and in the air.
Attach tools and materials to life ropes and cables using proper methods; test and support poles before climbing as required.
Operate miscellaneous transmission motor-driven tools; select and apply proper knots; rig and tie off ropes; use proper hand signals for line work.
Under direct supervision of a qualified person, assist with live-line tools, bare-hand techniques, rubber gloves and sleeves, and other accepted work methods for maintaining transmission lines.
Perform climbing maintenance on transmission structures, except on cross-arms carrying energized conductors.
Make up conductor and shield-wire splices, dead-ends, and terminals; identify conductor types and sizes; set up reels; install conductors and shield wires.
Keep tools, equipment, and work areas clean and orderly; assist employees of equal or higher classification; attend assigned training and assist in training others.
Perform similar or less-skilled work; maintain records and submit reports as required.
Operate authorized automotive equipment and associated equipment as directed by supervision; operate truck-mounted lifting and pulling devices; load and unload poles, steel, and other materials.