Transmission Line Mechanic

American Electric Power•Abingdon, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves performing all types of work related to the installation, maintenance, operation, removal, and inspection of energized and de-energized transmission and distribution facilities. The position requires adherence to company safety rules, regulations, and practices, reporting of unsafe conditions, and maintaining a clean work area. The selected candidate must live within 45 minutes of the Abingdon Service Center. The job posting will close on May 21, 2026. This posting outlines three levels of Transmission Line Mechanic: C, B, and A. Progression through these levels requires meeting specific education, work experience, and certification requirements, as well as demonstrating proficiency through assessments and performance appraisals. Each level involves increasing responsibility, particularly in live line work and supervision. Transmission Line Mechanic C: Performs duties under direct supervision, assists with live line tools, and performs climbing maintenance. Installs, maintains, and repairs overhead lines, digs holes, sets poles, and assembles tower components. Operates miscellaneous tools and automotive equipment. Transmission Line Mechanic B: Performs maintenance on wood structures, assists qualified personnel on energized circuits, and is proficient in live line tools and bare-hand techniques under immediate supervision. Reads and interprets drawings, patrols lines, and operates automotive equipment. Transmission Line Mechanic A: Performs all live line work without constant supervision, handles energized circuits, and performs structure replacement. Installs, inspects, removes, or maintains transmission lines and equipment, and directs loading/unloading operations.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED
Valid Class A CDL is required
Minimum of one year transmission electrical power line work experience, OR one year of related line experience defined as: successful completion of a one year electrical power line school certificate plus a minimum of 16 weeks internship or transmission electrical power line experience, or an Associate degree from an electrical power line school which includes a minimum of 16 weeks internship or transmission electrical power line experience.
Minimum of 24 months satisfactory work experience as a Transmission Line Mechanic C or the equivalent (as determined by the Company through demonstration, examination and performance appraisal).
Shall have performed the duties of and have all the qualifications of Transmission Line Mechanic C and 24 months of on the job experience or the equivalent.
Must demonstrate the ability and desire to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the duties and/or responsibilities of the key job (Transmission Line Mechanic A) in this job family.
Must acquire within such time frame as determined by the Company, the qualifications necessary to perform the duties of the next higher classification in the line of progression, or vacate the current job classification.
Must be familiar with line circuits and other voltages.
Must be familiar with circuit switching procedures.
Must possess and maintain a valid commercial driver's license.
Must meet all vehicle operation requirements as designated by federal and/or state law.
Must have a good working knowledge of the tools, materials and equipment used.
Must possess the ability to deal with employees, customers and the general public in a courteous and proper manner.
Shall have performed the duties of and have all the qualifications of a Transmission Line Mechanic B and 24 months of on the job experience or the equivalent.
Must successfully complete Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

Nice To Haves

Equivalent experience is determined at the time of the assessment and appropriate time step credit will be given.
Shall qualify through demonstration, examination and/or performance appraisal as determined by the Company.

Responsibilities

Perform all types of work involved in the installation, maintenance, operation, removal and inspection of energized and de-energized transmission and distribution facilities.
Adhere to the Company's safety rules, regulations and practices and report unsafe conditions and practices.
Report irregularities and abnormal conditions.
Patrol transmission lines using maps and drawings.
Use proper hand signals for line work as required.
Perform all right-of-way control procedures in use of 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, dead or energized.
Make up and install guys.
Assemble tower components on the ground and in the air.
Frame pole structures on the ground and in the air.
Use proper methods to attach tools and materials to life ropes and cables, for installation or use in the air.
Test and support poles before climbing as required.
Operate miscellaneous transmission motor-driven tools.
Select and apply proper knots.
Perform rigging and tying off ropes.
Under direct supervision of a qualified person, assist in the use of live line tools, bare-hand techniques, rubber gloves and sleeves, and other accepted work methods to maintain transmission lines.
Perform climbing maintenance on all 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 for conductor installation.
Install conductors and shield wires.
Maintain tools, equipment and work area in a clean and orderly fashion.
Assist employees of equal or higher classification.
Attend and participate in training as assigned and assist in the training of other employees.
Perform similar or less skilled work.
Maintain records and submit reports as required.
Properly prepare right-of-way items on field drawings.
Operate automotive equipment and its associated equipment as authorized and directed by supervision.
Operate truck-mounted lifting/pulling devices.
Load and unload poles, steel and other materials.
Prepare, conduct and facilitate safety meetings.
Perform all maintenance work on wood structures including the use of insulating protective equipment and live line tools.
Establish proper elevation relationships on all new transmission structures.
Identify pole species and structure configuration types of transmission structures.
Calculate tool, structure and angle loadings.
Layout, install, block and backfill all transmission anchorages.
Assist qualified personnel in work on congested energized circuits.
Test for de-energized circuits and install ground for working circuits dead.
Under immediate supervision of a qualified person, be proficient in the use of live line tools, bare-hand techniques, rubber gloves and sleeves, and other accepted work methods.
Select the proper standard drawings and follow specifications and prints for each part of the job as laid out by Engineering.
Read and interpret plan, profile and specification drawings.
Identify and be able to patrol transmission lines, locate, evaluate, report and repair transmission facilities.
Perform all live line work without constant supervision.
Select and use proper live line tools.
Handle, cover or barricade underlying primary or transmission circuits.
Perform structure replacement with the associated circuitry energized.
Install, inspect, remove or maintain transmission lines, distribution lines, communication lines and equipment, and climb or by other means perform work on poles, towers and structures, energized or de-energized.
Use transits and other leveling tools to the degree necessary in transmission construction/maintenance work.
Read and interpret all drawings related to transmission circuits.
Install, splice, sag, terminate or remove transmission, distribution and communications related conductors, cables and wires.
Install, remove and maintain all types of line equipment and hardware on transmission lines and structures.
Identify, request, accept and return line clearances.
Direct loading and unloading carloads of poles, truck and rail.
Have a good working knowledge of Company safety rules and practices and be proficient in the application of resuscitation and first aid.
Have good working knowledge of the transmission circuitry within the area of responsibility.
Have a good working knowledge of the Company's transmission and distribution standards.