Distribution Electrician III (Journey Level Lineworker)

Job Description:

Distribution Electrician III (Journey Level Lineworker)

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus four (4) years of experience in the electric utility field as a Distribution, Network, or Transmission lineworker.

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Valid Texas Class A Commercial Driver License or ability to acquire license and/or endorsements within 120 days of employment.
• Ability to produce and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Notes to Applicants
Position Description:

The Distribution Electrician III is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and removal of overhead and underground electrical equipment associated with Austin Energy’s distribution system.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Salary is established as an entry rate of pay for this position and is nonnegotiable.
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

Assessments:

Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job may be assessed through skills testing.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.

Driving Requirement:

This position requires a valid Texas Class A Commercial Driver License or the ability to acquire one and/or endorsements within 120 days of employment. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.

Work Schedule:

• This position is categorized as Essential Personnel with the City of Austin. Essential staff are required to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Essential employees ensure the continuance of key operations for the City of Austin.
• Work hours may include after hours, holidays, and weekends.
• Shifts may change according to departmental needs.
• Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule

Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Monday through Friday; 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This position is considered an Essential position. Please see Notes to Applicants for more information on Essential Personnel requirements.
Job Close Date 10/03/2024 Type of Posting External Department Austin Energy Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Technical Location 4411 B. Meinardus Dr, Austin, TX 78744 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience with the hazards associated with working on energized lines and equipment at primary distribution (high) voltages.
• Experience climbing electric utility wood poles up to 100 feet, while utilizing fall restraint equipment and devices.
• Experience working with electric utility design and construction standards.
• Experience working on all types of transformer installations serving single and three (3) phase loads.
• Experience with troubleshooting a distribution electric utility system.
• Successful completion of a distribution electric apprenticeship program (verification required).
• Currently working, or have worked as a Journey-level Lineworker at a distribution electric utility and/or a distribution electric contractor within the last two (2) years.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Climbs utility poles and structures (steel/wood/fiberglass/concrete), uses approved hand and powered tools, and drives various electric utility vehicles to assist with trouble call response, construction, and maintenance of Austin Energy’s (AE’s) electrical transmission, network, or distribution system. Responds to on-call, emergency call back, and after hour outages due to weather related events or system disturbances. Determines work requirements for jobs based on reviewing job packets, which include: blueprints (plan and profile views), material list, work order, and job summary. Works on and around high voltage energized lines and equipment, and performs troubleshooting of electrical systems using various test equipment (i.e. Multi-Range Voltage Detector [ MRVD ], phasing sticks, rotation meters, Digital Multi-Meters [ DMM ], and clamp-on amp meters). Performs pulling, installing, repairing, or moving high voltage wires, cable, and other material on AE’s electrical distribution, network, or transmission system. Performs installation, framing, construction, and maintenance of structures, hardware, and equipment on AE’s overhead and underground electrical distribution system, network distribution system, and/or transmission system, according to AE’s standards and work practices. Performs set up and operation of electric utility aerial equipment (i.e. cranes, boom trucks, digger derricks, bucket trucks, etc.) and other equipment (i.e. wire tensioner/puller, cable reel truck, cable trailer, wire trailer, skid-steer loader, bulldozer, backhoe, and forklift). Operates high-voltage transmission, substation, and/or distribution switching devices and equipment, using proper Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) and Personal Protective Devices ( PPD ), to de-energize and isolate circuits. Attends refresher, cyclical, and annual training to keep up with new technology and rescue techniques. (Distribution only) Installs and connects single-phase and three-phase electrical services to AE’s residential and commercial customers, and installs and connects overhead and underground transformers, switches, cutouts, etc. (Distribution only) Performs cutting, splicing, terminating, and taping of Underground Residential Distribution ( URD ) and power cable on AE’s electrical system. (Network only) Locates faults on AE’s underground network and substation getaways, and installs and connects network transformers and protectors. (Network only) Performs cutting, splicing, terminating, and taping of Underground Residential Distribution ( URD ) and power cable on AE’s electrical system, and builds power cable risers for substation feeder exits. (Network only) Installs and services: network vaults and vault equipment, electrical service to downtown residential and commercial customers, and small cell and streetlight equipment. (Transmission only) Plans various types of transmission installations and maintenance projects (i.e. structure change outs, pulling in or changing conductors, and pulling in or changing fiber optic cable). (Transmission only) Constructs and maintains transmission equipment and structures with circuit voltages of 69kV, 138kV, and 345kV.

Responsibilities - Supervisor and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of AE, COA , and/or State of Texas requirements for vehicle inspections.
• Knowledge of the electrical theory and principles related to electricity, magnetism, circuits, and electrical equipment.
• Knowledge of the hazards involved in working on and around high-voltage energized lines and equipment.
• Knowledge of various transformer connections and the procedures for proper transformer phasing.
• Knowledge of installation, operation, and maintenance of electrical equipment, apparatus, and instruments.
• Skill in planning and organizing personnel and work assignments.
• Skill in handling conflict and uncertain situations.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in operating computers and related software applications.
• Skill in setting up and operating electric utility aerial equipment.
• Skill in applying knowledge of AE safety rules, regulations, work practices, standards, and procedures associated with each craft when working on energized electrical systems.
• Skill in using the necessary air monitoring equipment prior to entering enclosed or confined spaces.
• Skill in properly using, inspecting, maintaining, and safely storing Personal Protective Equipment ( PPE ) and Personal Protective Devices ( PPD ).
• Skill in performing installation, construction, maintenance, and repair of electrical systems and electrical/electronic instruments.
• Skill in troubleshooting electrical systems using electronic test equipment (i.e. Multi-Range Voltage Detector [ MRVD ], phasing sticks, rotation meters, Digital Multi-Meters [ DMM ], and clamp-on amp meters).
• Skill in working on and around high-voltage energized lines and equipment.
• Skill in reading, preparing, interpreting, and modifying blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and drawings.
• Skill in performing all phases of installing, framing, constructing, and maintaining AE’s electric system.
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions.
• Ability to climb poles and structures to various heights (Distribution and Network - up to 80 ft, Transmission - up to 250 ft), following AE guidelines for personal fall arrest systems.
• Ability to climb ladders, work in enclosed spaces, and work as an enclosed space attendant (confined spaces for the Network craft).
• Ability to apply knowledge and skills obtained from training in the classroom and on the job.
• Ability to read and understand written instructions, technical manuals, blueprints, diagrams, sketches, and drawings.
• Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards in the COA Driver Safety Program.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and professional working relationships with City employees, customers, and the public.
• Ability to organize, inspect, and safely use various hand and powered tools, equipment, materials, cables, and conductors.
• Ability to properly interpret and follow manufacturers load charts when operating cranes, boom trucks, digger derricks, and bucket trucks.
• Ability to lead and mentor less tenured DE’s.
• Ability to perform strenuous work in all types of weather conditions.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, changes in priorities, and rotating shifts as assigned.
• Ability to properly lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus four (4) years of experience in the electric utility field as a Distribution, Network, or Transmission lineworker. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* Describe how you meet the minimum education and experience qualifications.
(Open Ended Question)
* For which area(s) below have you worked as a lineworker in the electric utility field?

• Distribution
• Network
• Transmission
• None of the above

* This position requires a valid Texas Class A Commercial Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class A Commercial Driver License or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class A Commercial Driver License and/or endorsements within 120 days of employment?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check.

* This position is classified as an “essential” position. The candidate must be able to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Shifts may change according to departmental needs. Are you able to meet these schedule requirements?

• Yes
• No

* Are you willing and able to respond to trouble calls after hours, on holidays, and weekends?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to perform strenuous work under emergency and extreme weather conditions?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience with the hazards associated with working around energized lines and equipment involving high and low voltage.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience climbing wood electric utility poles and structures, up to 100 feet, while utilizing fall restraint equipment and devices.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience working with electric utility design and construction standards.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience with construction of all types of transformer installations serving single and three phase loads.
(Open Ended Question)
* Describe your experience troubleshooting a distribution electric utility system.
(Open Ended Question)
* Have you successfully completed an electrical apprenticeship program with another electric utility?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience working as a Journey-level Lineworker at a distribution electric utility and/or an distribution electric utility contractor within the last two (2) years.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents