First Class Lineworker

GENERAL SUMMARY: Under direction, work with high voltage electricity (69kv, 34kv, 5kv); build and maintain Borough electric system; construct poles and hang power lines; maintain electric equipment throughout the Borough; perform the duties of Borough electrician; interact with residents to solve electric issues; maintain and troubleshoot traffic lights and streetlights in the borough.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

BUILD AND MAINTAIN BOROUGH ELECTRIC SYSTEM: Work with high voltage electricity; check substations for flags and targets; perform maintenance for switching, main sub, and nine unit substations; execute measurements and drawings for blueprints and maps; walk the lines to inspect them; execute switching changes to allow for maintenance, and to redistribute load; communicate with other linesmen regarding the load; maintain breakers and transformers by checking oil and gas (pressure, temperature, et); change and/or filter transformer oil if necessary; operate valves to relieve pressure; visually check sub units (especially for copper theft); size transformers (calculating full load for a full block); run wire (spool, rope, twine, pull), use a sight stick to hang with proper sag and length in accordance with distance, temperature, and size of wire; maintain and replace wire; install backup generators where needed (e.g., police, wastewater); mark the ground for PA One calls; check poles after accidents; use metrotech and spitfire tools to locate underground wires; maintain power lines under the railroad tracks (drop into manhole, must be certified to work near railroad); upgrade and maintain transformers (checking hot transformer leads, upgrading transformers); check thermal pictures and prioritize what needs to be taken care of; run wire underground (running pipe, digging, laying pipe, backfilling, gluing ends, sticking together, laying screen around the pipe); strategically plan where to run wire; install transformers; assist in the design and layout of electric projects in the borough. Size fuses, operate hot-sticks and shot-guns.

POLE LINE CONSTRUCTION: Dig and set 40’ to 75’ utility poles using auger truck, dig and set anchors for guide wires to support poles and aerial pulls; hang line hardware, crossarms and aerial transformers; run conductors, primary and secondary.

EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE: Repair and maintain truck and equipment (e.g., chain saws, lawn mowers, other small power equipment).

ELECTRICIAN WORK FOR BOROUGH: Electric work for borough buildings; install Ethernet cables for borough buildings; setup and troubleshoot lighting, sound, multimedia, and communications equipment; maintain electrical system for the park fountain and the pump at the pool; make up taps for service (both 3 phase and single phase); make aerial and underground splices on conductors; climb aerial poles and ladders for house services and rear property conductors; trim trees around conductors to ensure safe clearance with electric lines; work with contractors to complete new work; re-lamping all borough owned light fixtures.

INTERACTING WITH CUSTOMERS: Respond to trouble calls related to power failure, power quality, and customer electric complaints, diagnose the problem, often replace or repair electric wire; run the trouble truck to take care of downed wires, traffic lights, customer issue

TRAFFIC LIGHT AND STREET LIGHT MAINTENANCE: Attend to traffic signals in flash; monitor and maintain the preemption system with the traffic signals; wire and install all street lights aerial and underground; test and maintain street lights (re-lamping; checking photo cells; checking heads; installing new streetlights -- always bees, spiders, birds in the lamps); maintain lighting in the parks; traffic light repair and maintenance.

ENSURE SAFETY WITH REGARDS TO ELECTRIC: Cover wires with rubber for other contractors; ensure safe working conditions; use rubber hoses, dead-end protectors, rubber sleeves and gloves, rubber blankets to cover live wires.

ET CETERA: Bucket truck is deployed to fix the flags around town, to put up decorations in the fall/winter, to break down and store decorations Jan 1; install banners; install temporary lighting for parades; cut and haul the Christmas tree and set it in the ground and decorate; snow plow when necessary; keep shop clean; keep inventory stocked.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

*indicates developed after employment

Education/Employment: Any combination of education and experience which indicates possession of the skills, knowledge and abilities listed below. Candidates must possess four (4) years of electrical schooling from a vocational or trade school and successful completion of pole climbing school, five (5) to ten (10) years of line experience; must also possess a valid PA Driver license and a Commercial Driver (CDL) license.

The Borough may also hire less qualified operators who will complete on-the-job training and will gradually perform the duties and responsibilities of a fully competent lineman as they gain knowledge and experience. The Borough may hire lineman who meet the following experience and knowledge requirements who will perform duties of the lineman under supervised direction:

2nd Class Lineman* – Completion of pole school and ADVANCED level of knowledge (1 – 2 years electrical experience)

3rd Class Lineman – Completion of four (4) years vocational trade school and BASIC level of knowledge. Pole Climbing school not yet complete.