Lineman

Location: Osborne Outpost, 313 E Monroe, Osborne, KS 67473

Applications will be accepted through February 21, 2023.

Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative, Inc. (RHEC) is a member-owned rural electric cooperative that proudly serves more than 11,200 services in the heartland of America. As an electric cooperative, RHEC is owned and governed by the members we serve. Rolling Hills thrives on member input, which is why we included members in the planning of our mission, vision, and core values.

Current Opening: RHEC is accepting applications for a lineman position, journeyman status is preferred but not required. We are looking for a candidate who is analytical, technical, and precise by nature and enjoys working in a reserved and stable environment. RHEC offers excellent wages and benefits including:

• Medical and prescription insurance with 100% employer-paid premium for employees and their dependents
• Employer-funded retirement program
• 401(k) Plan with employer match
• Double Salary Basic Term Life Insurance and AD&D with employer-paid premiums
• Long-Term Disability Insurance with employer-paid premium
• Business Travel Accident Insurance with employer-paid premium
• Section 125 Plan
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave
• Dental plans available

Job Statement: Under the direction of the Operations Manager, the Journeyman Lineman is responsible for building, maintaining, and repairing overhead and underground power distribution lines within the scope of their training and certification in a safe and efficient manner within accepted operations standards in order to provide reliable service to the member in the operation and maintenance of the electrical system.

Essential Functions

• Use journeyman-level knowledge of electrical line work to safely construct and maintain electric distribution lines. Climbs poles of all types and performs jobs required of linemen off the poles, including changing out of arms, transformers, conductors, etc.
• Must have a general and specific journeyman knowledge of equipment and operate equipment in order to construct and maintain electrical systems both cold and energized (hot) lines.
• Drives and operates bucket truck, digger, trencher, forklift, and skid loader to frame and set poles, lay wire, tie wire, connect and disconnect services, and tree trimming.
• Inspects existing power lines looking for problems, troubleshoots problems, and retires old power lines as required.
• Responds to power outages and customer problems and troubleshoots to restore power in a timely manner.
• Directs, guides, and trains personnel in lower-level apprenticeship programs or equivalent. All training shall contain an emphasis on safe work practices.
• Maintains current knowledge of equipment, RUS specifications, OSHA regulations, mapping system, and other operational and regulatory systems related to the responsibilities of the position.
• Ensures switching operations for maintenance and/or emergencies.
• Provide customer service as needed and appropriate; manages assigned key customer accounts through regular direct contact to ensure customer satisfaction and ongoing communication.
• Promotes electric use by taking every opportunity to acquaint the consumers with the productive uses of electricity, obtaining increased member and public understanding of the Cooperative’s objectives, plans, and programs and of rural electrification in general.

Other Information

The Journeyman Lineman shall receive training in safe practices of performing all of the above duties and the handling of all tools and equipment which they use. In addition, they shall receive basic training in First Aid, including pole top rescue, and CPR. Through their own work practices, they should set an example of safe practices for other linemen.

The Journeyman Lineman is responsible for ensuring the continuous performance and reliability of the cooperative’s distribution lines. Within the parameters dictated by managers and foremen, Cooperative policy, and applicable RUS, OSHA, DOT, and other regulatory requirements, this position has limited autonomy and latitude to identify and solve problems and make decisions necessary to manage the operation of the electric distribution system dependent on training, experience, and certification.

Working Relationships

The Journeyman Lineman reports to the Operations Manager. In addition, they coordinate and cooperate with all Cooperative personnel and persons outside the organization where the providing of information and assistance will benefit the member-owners of the Cooperative.

They are encouraged to use initiative and judgment in making decisions, remembering that the Cooperative’s best interests can be affected by their actions. They should feel free to make suggestions for the improvement of operations and efficiency.

They shall secure the approval of their supervisor in making decisions when policies are not clear or adequate or require interpretation.

The Journeyman Lineman has supervisory authority over the Apprentice Linemen and part-time seasonal employees. Although the Journeyman Lineman may delegate portions of their responsibilities, no portion of accountability for results may be delegated or relinquished. In addition to direct supervisory authority of this position, the Journeyman Lineman may retain functional authority over specific projects or areas of responsibility as specified in this position description or otherwise delegated by the Operations Manager.

Minimum Job Specifications

Education/Experience

• High school diploma and completion of the Merchants Training Program or an approved apprenticeship lineman program required.
• Must have and maintain a valid Kansas Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-A) and an insurable driving record.

Job Knowledge

Ability to read and follow operations and safety manuals. Ability to follow directions and work with other journeyman and apprentice linemen and warehouse personnel as assigned. The ability to communicate with other apprentice linemen and journeyman linemen and work with people to solve problems is required.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work will be varied and a person in this position has sufficient time to complete tasks without a feeling of pressure. There are frequent opportunities to relax from any physical exertion or to change position in work activities.

Physical Effort and Dexterity:

• Frequent physical activity, including walking, stooping, bending, frequent lifting up to fifty (50) pounds, occasional lifting in excess of fifty (50) pounds,climbing, kneeling, reaching, crawling, pushing, and working in awkwardpositions and enclosed spaces is normal. Mechanical assistance is requiredand available for lifting in excess of one hundred (100) pounds.
• The position is a LEVEL 4 as determined by the Physical Capacity Profile ® test.

Visual Acuity, Hearing, and Speaking:

• Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance in a hot line work environment.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Limited exposure to chemicals, oil, gasoline, and dirt as long as proper Personal Protective Equipment is used and Safety Rules are followed.

Requires excellent hand/eye coordination and the ability to work with small components and delicate instruments.

Office equipment used frequently includes personal computers and related software, copiers, printers, iPads, etc.

Environment/Working Conditions:

• Work is mostly outside in close proximity to hot line construction and maintenance and energized conductors in varying weather conditions.
• Exposed to the hazards of electrical shock, burns, and falls from heights.
• Exposure to poison oak and ivy is likely.
• Moderate noise level.
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, and vibration.
• Requires travel by Cooperative vehicle throughout the service area as well as to meetings, training, workshops, and seminars, as directed.
• The regular workday shall be eight (8) hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with a one-half (1/2) hour unpaid lunch period. During the time, however, that Daylight Savings Time is in effect, the hours for the regular workday may be varied. Weekends and after-hours may be required to meet deadlines or address distribution problems.
• Employee will participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation that will require the employee to be available any time of night or day for the purpose of providing immediate response to equipment failures.

Other Necessary Qualities

• Performs the essential functions and elements of this position competently, following an initial initiation period.
• Work may be varied; problems are difficult and methods and procedures are defined, and judgment is required to apply them to work.
• Team player
• Good personal habits and high integrity
• Regular, reliable work attendance
• Courteous and friendly
• Able to work well with diverse groups of people and gain and maintain the respect of others, both inside and outside the Cooperative
• Must maintain confidentiality

For more information or to apply for this position, please visit http://www.rollinghills.coop/careers or call 785-534-1601.

Rolling Hills Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.00 - $38.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Overtime

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay

Work Location: One location

Salary : $25 - $38