Distribution Line Technician - Journeyman (Multiple Locations)

About the role

Line Technicians will be expected to safely perform all associated tasks with the construction and maintenance of all overhead and underground facilities (excluding vaults, manholes, and hot compounds). Line Technicians must be able to safely and efficiently troubleshoot and repair all distribution circuits and equipment both overhead (OH) and underground (UG). Line Technicians must be proficient in computer programs and able to embrace new technology in the utility field. Line Technicians may work alone or be assigned to work with one (1) person in a lower classification (i.e.: Ground Technicians and/or Line Technician Apprentice) without direct supervision of a Supervisor. Must be responsible for working all jobs in accordance with company safety requirements, design standards and work methods.

Training and advancement pathway

The Advance Hire Journeyman Lineworker must complete 280 hours of Levels 1–5 training, demonstrate proficiency through PAQ 5 task-bank activities, and pass a written test with at least 80% after selection via SAT and interview. Following training, there is an acclimation period at the Operations Center during which the learner cannot perform Lone Worker, Employee-in-Charge, Designated Observer, or First Responder duties, and release requires supervisor and management approval. After release and successful completion of the PAQ 5 formal assessment, the learner is eligible to perform Lone Worker, Designated Observer, and Employee-in-Charge duties within their classification.

Responsibilities

• Construct and maintain all overhead and underground distribution facilities (excluding vaults, manholes, and hot compounds)
• Safely and efficiently troubleshoot and repair all distribution circuits and equipment both overhead and underground
• Work alone or be assigned to work with one person in a lower classification without direct supervision of a Supervisor
• Work all jobs in accordance with company safety requirements, design standards and work methods
• Work extended hours (including nights and weekends), work in inclement weather, and travel throughout the system in cases of emergencies and/or storms to restore the system
• Provide leadership skills to include training of the Ground Technician/Line Technician Apprentice classifications
• Safely lead job sites and work independent of direct leadership
• Respond 24/7 to emergent activities for restoration of the Duke Energy distribution system

Basic qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Verifiable work experience as a Journeyman Class 1 or A Level Lineman
• Minimum of 2 years of experience working overhead primary/secondary distribution systems including construction and maintenance and troubleshooting
• Must have a valid Class A CDL
• Must have completed a line specialist apprenticeship program or equivalent training from a utility, utility contractor, or school
• Must be physically able to do all assigned tasks that relate to line work while working from a pole with climbing gear, bucket truck or while on the ground
• Must be proficient with live line maintenance, including the use of hot sticks and gloving procedures
• Must be proficient in the use of fall restraint tools and equipment
• Must possess climbing skills including the ability to complete non accessible pole hardware replacement and transfers while in a climbing mode
• Must be able to work in direct sunlight, inclement weather or at night
• Must be able to demonstrate the ability to follow all OSHA Federal Register work requirements that relate to the trade, to include sections 1910.269 of OSHA electrical safety regulations
• Demonstrate competency and understanding of primary and secondary covering with blankets, line hoses, hard-guard, etc.
• Full understanding of Lock-out/Tag-out procedures and practices
• Ability to lift and carry 75 lbs.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with underground primary/secondary distribution systems including troubleshooting
• Knowledgeable in line stringing equipment, digger derrick operation, back-lot machine operation, and material handling bucket operation
• Knowledge and operation of underground fault finding procedures and equipment
• General problem solving skills
• Demonstrate superior verbal and written communication skills
• Provide high level of leadership and sets a positive example for others to follow
• Ability to work in a diverse environment with individuals from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds

Schedule and work conditions

• Work schedule requires working various shifts as business needs arise
• Shift work, overtime, weekend work
• Position has on-call responsibilities as scheduled and generally available at other times as needed
• Demonstrate the ability to work independently, and to work all hours as needed, day or night, weekends or holidays, and in all weather conditions to perform work required during planned and emergency outages
• Subject to periodic call-out duty and subject to second and third shift schedules
• Frequent travel
• Requires ability to travel and stay overnight to various locations and work extended hours to assist in major storm restoration
• Work environment ranges from indoors to outside in varying degrees of heat and cold weather conditions
• Emergency situations may require working at night and in inclement weather
• Subject to confined spaces (manholes, vaults, etc.)

Location and residency requirements

Line Technicians are required to live within 60 minutes of the assigned Operations Complex within 90 days of their first day of employment. Relocation assistance is not provided. Locations are subject to change based on business needs. Exact locations will be determined at the time of offer.

Locations available for consideration:

• Clearwater FL Complex — 2166 Palmetto St, Clearwater, FL 33765
• Lake Wales FL Complex — 2051 Old Scenic Hwy, Lake Wales, FL 33898
• Walsingham/Largo — 12600 Walsingham Road, Largo, FL 33744

Selection process

This position requires successful completion of an Interview, Lineman Simulation Assessment Test (SAT), and Department of Transportation (DOT) background check/DOT drug screen. Information provided by you, the applicant, in accordance with this job posting may be used, and, if applicable, your former employer(s) will be contacted for purposes of Duke Energy's safety performance history investigation. You have the right to review the information provided by your previous employer(s); the right to have errors in any collected information corrected in the event such information is incorrect, and the right to have your prior employer(s) re-send corrected information to Duke Energy. You also have the right to submit a rebuttal statement regarding any alleged erroneous information.