Electric Line Technician III - Class A

An employee in this class performs advanced journey level technical work in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical lines.  Work is differentiated from lower levels of line work by the variety of more difficult secondary and primary high voltage line work and by serving as the lead in the absence of the supervisor in assigning and inspecting work, assuring compliance with safety rules and regulations, and training other line workers. Employee is expected to possess a thorough knowledge of standardized techniques and practices utilized in power line construction, maintenance, and repair.  Judgment is utilized in determining the most appropriate work methods, locating, and solving electrical problems, and observing safety standards.  Work requires frequent on-call and callback responsibilities. The employee is subject to hazards associated with electrical work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme temperatures, and exposure to various hazards such as working at heights, loud noises, vibration, moving mechanical parts, electrical current, chemicals, fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, confined spaces, poor ventilation, and oils.  Work is performed under general supervision and is reviewed in progress and upon completion for conformance to accepted standards and productivity and safety of crew.

• Provides leadership and participates in the installation and alignment of power line poles; stringing primary and secondary lines; attaching wire to insulators and cross arms; installing, repairing, and replacing cross arms, supports, insulators, lightning arresters, and fuse cutouts.
• Provides leadership and participates in the installation, construction, and repair of underground electrical systems by installing primary and secondary cables and transformers; by locating trouble spots in the cable span and taking necessary measures to excavate and correct; and by determining and replacing faulty equipment such as transformers.

• Performs a variety of construction, repair, and maintenance work in response to work orders.
• Operates bucket equipment to ascend to high wires; operates line truck, trenchers, and other heavy equipment.
• Participates in making energized line taps and connecting wires; handles energized aspects of system independently.
• Installs transformers, fuse cutouts, and reactors. 
• Transfers wire from old poles to new poles; installs metering equipment, and transfers lines from old to new poles.
• Provides crew leadership in assigning work, ensuring adherence to work standards, training crew members, and insuring productivity of the crew; may serve in the absence of the Supervisor.
• Climbs poles when necessary; trims trees; participates in substation maintenance and circuit switching.
• Participates in trouble-shooting power outages and leading in emergency repair.
• Assists the public with information, service and problem-solving.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Graduation from high school supplemented by training in electrical principles and considerable experience at the electric line technician - second class level; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the standard techniques and practices used in underground and overhead power line construction, repair, and maintenance work.
• Thorough knowledge of the use and care of all tools, equipment, and supplies used in underground and overhead power distribution work.
• Thorough knowledge of the hazards and safety precautions involved in power line work.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles of electricity as related to transmission and distribution.
• Ability to work on high voltage lines independently and to take precautionary measures to avoid accidents.
• Ability to make effective decisions in emergency work conditions.
• Ability to assign work, inspect work, train coworkers, and ensure safety precautions of crew.
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms and prepare work records.
• Ability to use line worker's tools and operate required equipment.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the public, other employees, and supervisors.

• The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Work is performed mainly outside in all weather conditions.
• Work will be performed in the field with need to wear proper personal protection equipment (PPE) and perform work adhering to all safety standards.
• Must be capable of heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, day or night, in all weather conditions.
• Must work evenings, weekends, and holidays and overtime for emergency outage situations.