Title: Apprentice Line Worker – Level One
Reports to: Crew Leader
Department: Operations
Location: Location could be any of our 4 offices and is TBD.
Purpose: Join some of the best powerline crew members in the nation and grow your ability to provide power with purpose. Keep your communities bright by learning to safely
build and maintain the power system. Be a champion of customer service, stewardship, and provide support to your crew to ensure each task is performed safely, accurately, and efficiently. Be an eager learner of on‑the‑job training and structured coursework while gaining hands-on experience under direct or close supervision. Present a positive mindset and strong work ethic to ensure members are served well and co-workers are supported.
The apprentice must prove to be eligible for advancement to the next level within a maximum of 18 months. Apprentices who are not advanced to the next level within this time frame will be subject to dismissal from the program.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School Diploma/Equivalent.
- Ability to successfully complete required Level One apprentice program manual, exams, and labs.
- Possess and maintain a valid Georgia commercial driver's license (Class A) and DOT certification.
Job Functions:
Progress in performing the following line duties:
- Learn to work de‑energized circuits from the pole, from an aerial device, or on the ground.
- Learn to fabricate pole assemblies both on the ground and on de‑energized poles.
- Demonstrate proficiency and safety when maneuvering on the pole and performing work.
- Learn North Georgia EMC line voltages. Wear all applicable personal protective equipment when exposed to hazards requiring the same.
- Learn the use of special precautionary techniques, personal protective equipment, insulating and shielding materials and insulated tools for working on or near exposed energized parts of electrical equipment, both overhead and underground construction.
- Learn the skills and techniques necessary to determine the nominal voltage of exposed live parts.
Safely operate and maintain company cars, trucks, and other equipment.
- Ensure that assigned tools and working equipment are properly used and kept in good working condition and that any required repairs are promptly reported to the immediate supervisor.
- Keep vehicles clean, orderly, and stocked with appropriate material.
- Comply with all traffic laws, safety rules and regulations including Federal motor carrier regulations and state DOT/Public Service Commission requirements.
- Ensure that assigned vehicles and equipment are operated and maintained in accordance with safety procedures, operator’s manual, and state law.
Perform the following line duties, as assigned:
- Assist in patrolling distribution lines; learn to recognize unusual or unsafe conditions and report same to immediate supervisor.
- Provide assistance to line worker as needed; thoroughly inspect tools/equipment and learn proper method of using tools.
- Learn skills and techniques necessary to distinguish exposed live energized parts from other parts of electrical equipment.
- Submit all required forms to support line duties, including but not limited to time sheets, mileage forms, gas tickets, transformer cards, material requisition forms, etc.
Ensure safety awareness and the maintenance of safety standards for self and fellow crew members:
- Learn North Georgia EMC and OSHA safety regulations and ensure compliance.
- Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid/CPR/AED, pole top and bucket truck rescue, and DOT Flagging.
- Actively participate in job training and department safety meetings.
- Abide by all safety rules, practices, and standards, and perform all duties and tasks in a safe manner.
Core Competencies:
- Commitment to safety first practices.
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills.
- Eagerness to learn, positive mindset, and strong work ethic.
- Demonstrated initiative to acquire additional knowledge for effective job performance.
- Flexibility to work varied hours and during emergency conditions.
- Ability to become familiar with RUS specifications and line construction assemblies including the NEC and National Electric Safety Code.
Core Values:
- Safety: Continually adheres to regulations and ongoing training to maintain a safe work environment for all.
- Operational Excellence: Works smart and efficiently to provide exceptional reliability and is a sound financial and economic steward. Collaborates to develop the best solutions.
- Engagement and Growth: Takes responsibility for own actions, success and growth. Expresses commitment to work hard, with a positive attitude. Demonstrates good judgement and embraces constructive criticism and challenges. Seeks opportunities to learn and share knowledge.
- Integrity: Honest, respectful, kind and trustworthy. Brings a positive influence and values diversity. Eager to own, apologize and fix mistakes promptly and follow through timely on commitments. Maintains confidentiality.
- Teamwork: Provides assistance, information or other support for the team to build or maintain relationships.
- Customer Commitment: Puts the convenience of the members and internal customers first; asks for and values opinions of those whom they serve. Provides solutions with a sense of urgency and concern while being present, open and empathetic.
- Community Minded: Desires to make a difference in the communities served by NGEMC.
- Change: Constantly seeks opportunities to develop better services and more efficient processes.
Physical Demands:
All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities (some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.). Requires physical ability in balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, grasping, hearing, heavy lifting, keeling, pulling, pushing, reaching, standing, stooping, talking, walking, the ability to lift small objects with the fingers, and is defined heavy work. Maintain a body weight of less than 275 pounds to safely operate and conduct work using a bucket truck and climb a ladder while carrying necessary tools. Requires visual acuity in machine operation. Driving and operating commercial vehicles. Exposure to outside environmental conditions on a frequent basis.
Working Conditions:
Field work with exposure to adverse elements of weather; strenuous physical work, including heavy lifting. Requires the flexibility to work overtime and irregular hours on short notice and during emergency situations. Requires the ability to be on call, as required.
