Lineworker - 2nd Class to 1st Class

Reading Municipal Light Department

This Position Description presents illustrative work activities usually encountered by personnel filling this position. It is not meant to list all possible work activities in all possible work conditions. It is also not meant to define specific limits on work activities that may be performed by any person holding this position. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of management to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision.

Position descriptions may occasionally be changed to allow the RMLD to better meet the needs of the customers, reflect applicable laws and regulations, and/or otherwise implement Commission policies. All non-bargaining unit RMLD workers are “employees at will.”

Job Summary and Essential Functions:

Under the direction of the Leader Lineworker, Troubleworker, General Foreman Operations, and the Assistant General Foreman Operations, the Lineworker is mainly responsible for constructing, operating and maintaining the electric transmission and distribution systems. This job description addresses the complete career development path from groundman to journeyman lineworker. The RMLD Lineworker Career Development Plan, which is implemented for each employee in this position, defines the specific knowledge requirements for progressing from Groundman to 1st Class Lineworker. Lineworkers generally work from 7 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday. Lineworkers are expected to respond to requests for after-hours work to support emergencies, storm restoration and other activities. An additional essential function of this job is excellent attendance and reporting to work on a scheduled basis as determined by the General Foreman Operations.

Illustrative Work Activities:

Essential work activities, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.

Main Responsibilities

• Participate in job briefings and safety tailboards
• Provide all craft services necessary for constructing, operating, repairing, maintaining, and removing RMLD’s overhead and underground transmission and distribution systems including, but not limited to, poles, conductors, cables, transformers, capacitors, switching equipment, conduits, vaults, handholes, pull boxes, and other work associated with overhead and underground distribution systems.
• Perform operations, construction, and maintenance on energized RMLD facilities during both routine and emergency conditions
• Analyze and correct system fault conditions or other unsafe conditions as necessary for the proper operation of the system or for system restoration
• Perform all required operational and safety inspections of vehicles, tools and equipment assigned to the Lineworker and crew
• Complete and submit all documents related to equipment and materials used in distribution operation, maintenance, and construction
• Review and apply best business practices and safety standards
• Review, understand, and apply RMLD’s accepted operating, maintenance, and construction standards on any aspect of the RMLD transmission and distribution systems.
• Understand and apply RMLD’s automation roadmap technology, its construction standards and practices, and all related operational procedures
• Develop and maintain proficiency with, and use, operating technologies including geographic information systems (GIS), integrated work order and work management systems (IWMS), inventory management systems, timekeeping systems, email, laptop and desktop computers, smart phones, tablets, and other technologies that RMLD may implement.
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of RMLD policies and operating procedures
• Responsible for updating Career Development Plans (CDPs) with a supervisor to achieve progression training
• Participate in career development, knowledge and skills assessments, education, and training opportunities to develop and maintain proficiency in all knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform assigned duties.
• When on stand-by duty, respond to Control Room Operator dispatches.

Supporting Responsibilities

• Support Control Authorities, Troubleworker, Station Technician, and Control Room Operators as may be needed.
• Work under the direct supervision of Troubleworkers for make safe, emergency and restoration procedures.
• Respond to mutual aid requests.
• Perform Installation, repair, maintenance, and removal of customer service connections.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with the RMLD electric system and the communities served by RMLD
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills and abilities required to maintain the proficiency of a Lineworker commensurate with current and expected classifications
• Demonstrated ability to work with energized transmission and distribution systems using hot stick and rubber glove work methods.
• Ability to perform job functions at night and in adverse weather conditions
• Demonstrated knowledge of and ability to use SCADA, GIS, OMS, and WMS and other deployed technologies in the execution of assigned main and supporting responsibilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, RMLD and industry best practices – in addition to OSHA - pertaining to assigned responsibilities, especially safety and safe working methods
• Demonstrated knowledge of and proficiency with first aid and CPR
• Ability to read, interpret and annotate plans, drawings, single-line and three-line electrical diagrams, and maps
• Ability to plan work, marshal equipment and materials, properly record time and expense information, and requisition equipment and materials.
• Ability to work in a highly collaborative environment.
• Ability to demonstrate skills and knowledge as required in the Career Development Plan

Manual and Physical Skills:

Must possess the demonstrated ability to: climb poles, frame poles, inspect and test poles; install, remove and maintain transformers, capacitor banks, line regulators, lightning arresters, line sensors, disconnects, cutouts, fuses, instrument transformers, and meters; pull and tension bare and covered overhead conductors; install and tension guys and anchors; work in confined spaces; pull cable; make elbows, splices and terminations; make measurements of voltage, current and power; determine electrical phasing; safely operate hand and power tools; operate bucket trucks and lifting and hoisting equipment; locate outages; identify and troubleshoot failed equipment; operate, maintain and troubleshoot smart grid switches, sensors, controllers and communications equipment; read, operate and test protective relaying equipment; operate and maintain electrical test and measurement equipment; ability to install, maintain and operate indoor and outdoor lighting systems including streetlighting; and all other skills commensurate with the required duties of a Lineworker.

Judgment and Initiative:

• Ability to Complete assigned work safely, efficiently and to industry standards for quality
• Exhibit sound decision making under the duress of adverse weather, time constraints and congested working conditions
• Demonstrate a positive and constructive attitude and promotes a culture of teamwork, safety, and collaboration.
• Ability to safely perform duties in accordance with established policies, codes, laws, and professional standards.
• Must exhibit maximum regard for safety of individual, coworkers and public
• Must exhibit reasonable care for RMLD equipment and vehicles
• Must demonstrate the initiative to seek out and participate in RMLD-provided education and training opportunities
• Exhibit regular and reliable attendance
• Proactively participate in career development activities and knowledge and skills assessments

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• This position requires a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent work experience.
• Journeyman Lineworker requires successful completion of a recognized lineworker apprenticeship program, successfully passing the RMLD journeyman linework knowledge and skills assessment, and recommendations from supervising Leader Lineworkers, Troubleworkers and General Foreman Operations

Experience

• Time-in-service, formal training and education, and assessments of knowledge, skills and performance are all factors that RMLD management considers in determining when an employee can advance through the classes and steps of the Lineworker classification
• RMLD management is solely responsible for determining when employees in the Lineworker classification promote
• RMLD generally seeks Groundman candidates in this position with at least one year of relevant experience
• Apprentice Lineworker First Class typically requires three to five years’ experience as an apprentice lineworker in the electric utility industry
• Journeyman Lineworker requires a minimum of five years’ experience and completion of a recognized lineworker apprenticeship program

Licenses and Certifications Valid in Massachusetts:

• Class A Commercial Driver’s license
• 1B Hoisting License

Physical Demands:

The Lineworker position is physically demanding. Lineworkers must be capable of performing job functions for extended periods of time in adverse conditions.

• Must be able to manually lift and move objects weighing 90 pounds
• Must be able to climb and work poles, ladders and other structures
• Must be able to work from elevated bucket trucks and lifts
• Must be able to enter and work in confined spaces including underground vaults and manholes