Transmission Line Mechanic-C-A

American Electric Power • Cambridge, SC

1d

About The Position

The Transmission Line Mechanic performs work involving the installation, maintenance, rearrangement, operation, removal, and inspection of electrical transmission and distribution facilities. Mechanic-C duties are performed under direct supervision of a qualified person. The role is posted at multiple grade levels, with increasing skills and responsibilities from C through B to A. Higher-level mechanics perform increasingly complex work, including energized-line work and, at the A level, live-line work without constant supervision.

The position requires compliance with company safety rules and practices, reporting unsafe or abnormal conditions, maintaining tools and equipment, keeping records, and participating in training. It involves field work on poles, towers, and other structures; operation of vehicles and equipment; and travel, overtime, call-out overtime, and shift work as required for the B and A levels. Travel is expected to exceed 50% for those levels. Physical abilities assessments are required at the B and A levels, and the A level must successfully complete a Physical Abilities Test.

Requirements

• High school graduate or GED.
• For Mechanic-C: at least one year of transmission electrical power line work experience, or qualifying related line experience. Related experience may include 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.
• For Mechanic-B: at least 24 months of satisfactory work experience as a Transmission Line Mechanic C or equivalent, as determined by the company through demonstration, examination, and performance appraisal.
• For Mechanic-A: at least 24 months of satisfactory work experience as a Transmission Line Mechanic B or equivalent, as determined by the company through demonstration, examination, and performance appraisal.
• For Mechanic-B and Mechanic-A: must have performed the duties of and have all qualifications of the preceding classification, with 24 months of on-the-job experience or equivalent where specified.
• Valid Class A commercial driver's license required for Mechanic-B and Mechanic-A; must meet applicable federal and state vehicle-operation requirements.
• Mechanic-B must be familiar with line circuits and other voltages, circuit-switching procedures, and the tools, materials, and equipment used; must demonstrate the ability and desire to acquire the knowledge and skills for Mechanic-A.
• Mechanic-A must have a good working knowledge of company safety rules and practices, resuscitation and first aid, transmission circuitry in the area of responsibility, and company transmission and distribution standards.
• Must be able to deal courteously and properly with employees, customers, and the general public.
• Mechanic-B and Mechanic-A must be available for overtime, call-out overtime, and shift work as required; considerable travel and overtime may be required.
• Mechanic-B and Mechanic-A travel is expected to exceed 50% of the time.
• Physical abilities assessment required for Mechanic-B and Mechanic-A; Mechanic-A must successfully complete the Physical Abilities Test.
• Mechanic-C physical ability requirements include lifting 75 pounds from floor to waist, carrying 60 pounds for 20 feet, lifting 50 pounds to chest level and 30 pounds to eye level, walking a cumulative two miles during an eight-hour shift, and climbing and working at heights of 100 feet or more and ascending to and working in a bucket or lift at 150 feet or more (tested at 60 feet). Ability to discriminate between colors is required but not tested.
• Mechanic-B and Mechanic-A must occasionally lift up to 100 pounds and frequently lift up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, rearrange, operate, remove, inspect, and repair transmission and distribution facilities, including poles, towers, structures, conductors, cables, wires, line equipment, and hardware.
• Patrol transmission lines, identify and evaluate facilities, report irregularities and abnormal conditions, and prepare right-of-way items on field drawings.
• Perform right-of-way control procedures and use proper line-work hand signals, knots, rigging, and methods for attaching tools and materials to life ropes and cables.
• Dig holes; set, replace, or stub poles; assemble and frame structures; install guys and anchorages; and block and backfill anchorages.
• Use climbing and other methods to work on poles, towers, and structures, including climbing maintenance and work on energized or de-energized facilities as authorized by the mechanic's grade and supervision requirements.
• Assist with live-line tools, bare-hand techniques, rubber gloves and sleeves, and other accepted work methods under the required supervision; at the A level, perform live-line work without constant supervision and handle, cover, or barricade underlying circuits.
• Test for de-energized circuits and install grounds for circuits being worked dead; identify, request, accept, and return line clearances as required by grade.
• Make up, install, splice, sag, terminate, and remove conductors, shield wires, and related cables; set up reels and identify conductor types and sizes.
• Read and interpret applicable drawings, plans, profiles, specifications, and standards; use transits and leveling tools as needed; calculate tool, structure, and angle loadings at the B level.
• Operate automotive equipment, truck-mounted lifting and pulling devices, and miscellaneous motor-driven tools as authorized; load and unload poles, steel, and other materials.
• Prepare, conduct, and facilitate safety meetings as assigned; follow company safety rules and report unsafe conditions and practices.
• Maintain tools, equipment, and work areas in a clean and orderly condition; maintain records and submit reports as required.
• Assist employees of equal or higher classification, attend and participate in assigned training, assist in training other employees, and perform similar or less-skilled work.
• Perform work under the specified supervision levels and qualify for higher classifications through the company's demonstrations, examinations, and/or performance appraisals.

Benefits

• AEP describes its benefits package as comprehensive and intended to support and enhance employees' overall well-being; specific benefits are not listed in the posting.

What This Job Offers

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