Position Summary:
With proper direction and supervision, this position assists with the construction, operation and maintenance of distribution facilities in accordance with established OSHA, NESC, RUS, and Cooperative safety policies and practices.
Job Responsibilities:
•Performs groundworker activities permitted with construction, operation and maintenance of distribution electrical facilities.
•Responsible for timely, accurate and proper electronic or paper processing as required including daily timesheets.
•Ensures proper and adequate materials are available for daily operations, maintaining material lists for daily work activities.
•Exercises professional courteous conduct in dealing with the member, other employees and the general public, projecting a positive public image.
•Assists with the objective of a culture of safety by maintaining a safe and clean work environment including, as directed, assistance with the warehouse, material storage areas and vehicles, adhering to safety policies, procedures and government regulations, and completing all required documentation in a timely manner.
•Provides support during major outages as directed by Line Technicians and/or Crew Leaders.
•Assists in achieving a greater degree of teamwork by performing all other duties as assigned.
Education:
•High school diploma or GED required.
Experience:
•No previous work experience required. Must have the ability and desire to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the duties and/or responsibilities of the key job and be qualified through demonstration, examination and performance appraisal as determined by the Cooperative.
•Must acquire within such time frame as determined by the Cooperative, the qualifications necessary to perform the duties of the next higher classification in the line of progression.
Abilities & Skills:
•Must obtain within 3 months a valid Ohio commercial driver's license and maintain an insurable driving record.
•Must have good written and verbal communication skills.
•Must have the interpersonal skills necessary to interact effectively with employees, members and pubic in a variety of situations, exercising good judgment and maintaining a positive company image.
•Demonstrates initiative and judgment in decision making.
•Must possess a positive attitude, be a team player with high integrity at all times.
•Must be able to lift up to 75 pounds- from floor to waist.
•Basic personal computing and working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite are required.
Authorities and Accountabilities:
General Authority:
The Groundworker has the responsibility for assisting with the construction and maintenance of overhead and underground power lines. Work may be varied and problems are difficult, but the methods and procedures are clearly defined. Judgment is required and must be applied to the methods and procedures for them to work. The Groundworker position has limited authority through the employee in charge to make decisions that may have a moderate impact on URE’s operations. The Groundworker takes initiative in all actions and judgment while making routine decisions on operations. The employee recognizes the need to understand that the Cooperative’s best interests can be directly affected by their actions.
Progression to Advance:
After a minimum of six (6) months in this position as well as the recommendations of the crew leaders and management, the employee will be eligible for testing for advancement into the apprenticeship program. Failure to meet the requirements for advancement into the apprenticeship program may result in termination.
The following is a list of competencies that the employee must either posses or must be achieved in order to advance to Apprentice Line Technician Level 1:
•Must gain a practical understanding of URE’s Safety Manual and corresponding safety work practices as applied to this position and the next position in the apprenticeship program.
•Learns and practices the appropriate time to wear required personal protective equipment.
•The following conditions are required within the twelve-month period:
•Must learn proper digger derick truck and equipment operations.
•Must learn proper radio procedures.
•Must be knowledgeable with the URE service territory, physical location of the distribution facilities with an emphasis on learning locations of substations and main three phase circuits and accomplished with the use of digital mapping system.
•Must be able to obtain accurate information from the mapping and customer information databases.
•Must become familiar with RUS construction units and be able to construct and install units according to the specifications including, but not limited to poles and equipment.
•Must become proficient with accurate and timely data entry including but not limited to daily timesheets, meter and transformer information, tailgate session information, and inspection information.
•Must become familiar with the use and care of tools and equipment associated with the construction and/or disassembly of electric distribution facilities.
•Must learn to perform all other necessary ground support activities associated with electric utility work such as anticipating the next move of the line technician, use of a hand-line, traffic control, etc.
•Should be familiar with meter applications and uses; learns to accurately read electric and gas meters.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.
Additional Information:
The following reference is provided as a guideline for persons responsible for directing the duties and responsibilities of assigned personal, to assist in the safety and development of employees, and is not intended to limit assignment of work or the degree of supervision under all operating conditions:
•Direct Supervision: When a qualified person is working hands-on with the person performing the designated task.
•Immediate Supervision: When a qualified person is near the structure/equipment and is in constant visual and verbal contact to the person performing the designated task.
•General Supervision: An employee of equal or higher classification, knowledgeable of the task at hand may not necessarily be at the job site.
Working Conditions:
Workday hours shall be determined by management. Overtime can be expected with duration of up to 16 hours followed by an 8-hour rest break. Heavy physical labor outside is the norm. Some travel by day and overnight for training is required.
Physical Effort:
Must be able to perform the activities listed in the position description.
Benefits:
•401K (Traditional and Roth)
•Volunteer Time Off (VTO)