Transmission Line Mechanic C-A

American Electric Power•Canton, OH

1d•$31 - $59

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. The posting covers three progression levels: Transmission Line Mechanic-C, -B and -A, with increasing duties, skills and experience requirements. Supervision may be direct, immediate or general depending on the task and operating conditions; a qualified person is a Line Mechanic or Supervisor knowledgeable about the work and capable of appropriate emergency rescue. At the C level, duties include patrolling transmission lines, reporting abnormal conditions, installing and maintaining structures and conductors, performing right-of-way controls, using tools and rigging, assisting with live-line work under direct supervision, operating authorized vehicles and equipment, and maintaining records, tools and the work area. At the B level, duties expand to include safety meetings, maintenance of wood structures, assessing and installing anchorages, assisting qualified personnel on congested energized circuits, testing circuits and installing grounds, using live-line methods under immediate supervision, and interpreting engineering drawings. At the A level, mechanics perform live-line work without constant supervision, handle energized circuits and structure replacements, install and maintain line equipment, interpret transmission drawings, manage clearances, and direct loading and unloading activities. The position requires a valid Class A CDL, physical abilities assessments, and substantial field work. B- and A-level roles require availability for overtime, call-out overtime and shift work, and travel is expected to exceed 50% of the time. Considerable travel and overtime may be required. The stated physical demand level is heavy work, with occasional exertion of 50 to 100 pounds, frequent exertion of 25 to 50 pounds, and constant exertion of up to 10–20 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
For the C level: at least one year of transmission electrical power line work experience, or 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 line experience, or an associate degree from an electrical power line school including at least 16 weeks of internship or transmission line experience.
For the B level: at least 24 months of satisfactory experience as a Transmission Line Mechanic C or equivalent, as determined by the company through demonstration, examination and performance appraisal.
For the A level: at least 24 months of satisfactory experience as a Transmission Line Mechanic B or equivalent, as determined by the company through demonstration, examination and performance appraisal.
Valid Class A commercial driver's license; maintain a valid CDL and meet applicable federal and state vehicle-operation requirements.
For B- and A-level roles, availability for overtime, call-out overtime and shift work as required.
For B- and A-level roles, travel expected to exceed 50% of the time; considerable travel and overtime may be required.
Physical abilities assessment required; the A level also requires successful completion of the Physical Abilities Test (PAT).
Ability to perform the stated C-level physical assessment tasks, including lifting and carrying specified weights, walking, climbing and working at height, ascending to and working in a bucket or lift, and discriminating between colors.
For B-level progression, 24 months of on-the-job experience or equivalent, qualification through company-determined demonstration, examination and/or performance appraisal, and the ability and desire to acquire the knowledge and skills for the A-level key job.
For B-level progression, familiarity with line circuits and other voltages and with circuit-switching procedures; a good working knowledge of tools, materials and equipment; and the ability to deal courteously and properly with employees, customers and the public.
For A-level progression, a good working knowledge of company safety rules and practices, resuscitation and first aid, transmission circuitry in the area of responsibility, tools and equipment, and company transmission and distribution standards.
For A-level progression, the ability to deal courteously and properly with employees, customers and the general public.
For B- and A-level progression, qualify through demonstration, examination and/or performance appraisal as determined by the company; acquire qualifications for the next classification within the company-determined time frame or vacate the current classification.

Responsibilities

Report irregularities, abnormal conditions, and unsafe conditions or practices.
Patrol transmission lines using maps and drawings; identify, locate, evaluate, report and repair transmission facilities.
Perform right-of-way control procedures and properly prepare right-of-way items on field drawings.
Dig holes and set poles, tower components and guy anchorages; replace or stub poles.
Assemble and frame transmission structures, make up and install guys, and perform climbing maintenance on transmission structures within the stated limits for energized cross-arms.
Attach tools and materials to life ropes and cables; test and support poles before climbing; select and apply knots; rig and tie off ropes.
Assist with live-line tools, bare-hand techniques, rubber gloves and sleeves, and other accepted work methods under the specified supervision level; at the A level, perform live-line work without constant supervision.
Make conductor and shield-wire splices, dead-ends and terminals; identify conductor types and sizes; set up reels and install conductors and shield wires.
Perform maintenance on wood structures, use insulating protective equipment and live-line tools, and establish elevation relationships on new transmission structures.
Calculate tool, structure and angle loadings; lay out, install, block and backfill transmission anchorages.
Assist qualified personnel in work on congested energized circuits; test circuits for de-energization and install grounds for working circuits dead.
Select standard drawings and follow engineering specifications and prints; read and interpret plan, profile, specification and other transmission circuit drawings.
Handle, cover or barricade underlying primary or transmission circuits and perform structure replacements with associated circuitry energized.
Install, splice, sag, terminate or remove transmission, distribution and communications conductors, cables and wires; install, remove and maintain line equipment and hardware.
Identify, request, accept and return line clearances.
Operate automotive equipment, truck-mounted lifting and pulling devices, and miscellaneous motor-driven tools as authorized; perform incidental vehicle duties.
Load and unload poles, steel, other materials and carloads of poles by truck and rail; direct loading and unloading at the A level.
Use proper line-work hand signals and maintain tools, equipment and the work area in a clean and orderly condition.
Prepare, conduct and facilitate safety meetings; follow company safety rules and practices.
Maintain records and submit required reports.
Assist employees of equal or higher classification; attend and participate in assigned training and assist in training other employees.
Perform similar or less-skilled work.