Right of Way Worker

The Energy Cooperative, headquartered in Newark, Ohio, serves over 72,000 electric, natural gas, and propane members throughout east-central Ohio. As a non-profit cooperative, we are member-owned and controlled by the members we serve.

About the role

This full-time, non-exempt position is based at our Utica, OH Service Center and is responsible for the safe operation of vehicles and equipment to assist line crews in the construction, maintenance, and operation of overhead and underground lines by clearing and maintaining right-of-ways. Work is performed under general supervision and is checked by observation to ensure compliance with all safety standards and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Support and incorporate the Cooperative’s Mission, Vision, and Values in personal and professional behavior and decisions; model enthusiastic behavior.
• Comply with all Cooperative policies, procedures, goals, and objectives and meet attendance and punctuality guidelines.
• Understand, observe, and enforce the cooperative’s safety and security procedures and report potentially unsafe conditions to department supervisor and/or safety department personnel.
• Climb and/or fell trees to remove branches interfering or with the potential to interfere with electric power lines.
• Mow, trim, cut, or spray as necessary to clear right-of-way.
• Dispose of waste and brush appropriately.
• Safely operate a chainsaw and other cutting equipment required for right-of-way clearance.
• Operate other equipment such as company vehicle, brush chipper, aerial bucket truck, skid steer, and tractor while observing all safety practices.
• Treat members and the general public with respect and display professional, courteous member relations.
• Notify homeowners when right-of-way crews are working in a given area through door knockers or other approved notification methods.
• Properly place appropriate road signs, traffic cones, barricades, and rotating beacons along the right-of-way on highways and roads; flag traffic when required.
• Perform work after regular working hours, on weekends, holidays, and respond quickly to all outage and emergency situations when requested.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent GED.
• One year of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Must be able to perform aerial rescue and bucket rescue techniques or successfully complete training within one year of employment.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Ohio Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with a good driving record or obtain one within six months of employment.
• Must be trained and certified in CPR and First Aid.
• Ability to attend meetings and/or training seminars when requested.

Skills

• Ability to read and comprehend documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to write simple correspondence and complete required paperwork.
• Ability to effectively present information to others when needed.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and collaborate well with other employees and/or contractors.
• Ability to safely use tools, power and non-power, commonly used in trimming and spraying trees and foliage.
• Knowledge of knot tying and rigging.
• Knowledge of hazardous chemicals used in spraying tree stumps.
• Compliance with all safety practices and regulatory guidelines outlined by the cooperative and/or utility industry.

Physical Demands

• Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, and frequently lift and/or move more than 100 pounds with assistance.
• Regularly exposed to a loud work environment; must utilize appropriate hearing protection.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts, high and precarious places, risk of electrical shock, vibration from equipment, fumes or airborne particles, and outside adverse weather conditions.
• Must be available for announced or unannounced overtime to respond to call-out work during non-working hours, outages, and emergencies.

This position is subject to pre-employment physical and substance abuse testing and may be subject to random testing in accordance with the Cooperative’s substance abuse policy.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance Programs for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• Disability Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Traditional 401(k) and Roth 401(k) Retirement Plans
• Pension Plan
• Education Assistance
• Employee Assistance Program