Foreman - Overhead (Blue Ridge Co-op)

About the role

The Foreman is a safety‑focused professional who leads a crew to construct and repair electrical overhead distribution systems. Work includes energized and de‑energized powerlines, with travel to various job sites, including out‑of‑state locations, as operational and customer needs dictate. Reports to the General Foreman.

Responsibilities

• Perform new construction, maintenance, and repair of energized and de‑energized overhead distribution systems while prioritizing safety.
• Lead crew members and conduct pre‑job and tailgate safety briefings.
• Coach and train lower‑classification employees in safe and productive work procedures.
• Oversee project work, assuming full responsibility for quality and completion deadlines.
• Install and repair overhead power lines, poles, insulators, conductors, and related hardware.
• Apply comprehensive knowledge of switching and tagging procedures, grounding, and induced voltage on energized and de‑energized lines using proper tools and test equipment.
• Climb wood, steel, or concrete structures using approved climbing methods and equipment.
• Work at heights, in confined spaces, and in proximity to energized equipment.
• Operate and maintain bucket trucks, digger derricks, tensioners, pullers, and other overhead line equipment.
• Work outdoors in varying environmental conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, and inclement weather.
• Be available for outages, storms, emergencies, and on‑call rotation.
• Perform live‑line work using approved gloving and hot‑stick techniques, including troubleshooting and fault locating.
• Follow all safety protocols, including PPE use, and understand insulated protective covers to isolate potential differences.

Requirements

• Five (5) years of recent overhead line experience.
• Proficient in basic computer operations, including Microsoft Word and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
• Willingness to travel long distances on short notice.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Capability to work for extended periods at job locations, including out‑of‑state assignments.
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours, including weekends, holidays, emergency callouts, and overtime.

Physical Demands

The role requires frequent standing, walking, and the use of hands and fingers to handle objects, operate tools, or control equipment. Communication is performed through talking, listening, and hand signals. Employees are frequently exposed to fumes, airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration, and occasionally to extreme conditions at construction sites. Noise levels can be loud, and work is performed in extreme heat, cold, wet, windy, and storm conditions.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA), dependent care, and medical flexible spending accounts
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) with company match
• Life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability
• Paid time off, paid holidays, and family and medical leave

About Us

Founded in 1945, Pike is a leading provider of construction, repair, and engineering services for electric and gas utilities, as well as telecommunications companies, with a growing portfolio of turnkey renewable projects. We serve hundreds of utility clients nationwide, continuously expanding our offerings to supply customers with ideas, technology, experience, workforce, and equipment to perform any job. “Essential” sums up who we are, the work we do, and what our people mean to us. Each employee plays a critical role in ensuring infrastructure systems are up and running when people and businesses need them. Pike is a family‑oriented workplace with a strong culture of safety, collaboration, innovation, and exceptional customer service.