Substation Maintenance Foreman

At La Plata Electric Association, our mission is to provide our members safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost while being environmentally responsible. We are shaping the future by building trustworthy community partnerships as an innovative, forward-thinking industry leader, delivering excellence in our member-owned cooperative.

We currently have an opening for a Substation Maintenance Foreman who will be responsible for providing maintenance, inspection and repair of substation equipment and properties as well as transmission and distribution line equipment. This position will provide direction to Substation Maintenance employees and may provide direction to Electronic Specialists, Electronic Technicians, Journeyman Lineman, Apprentice Lineman, Equipment Operators, Groundman and Laborers when assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Directs and plans work to ensure completion in allotted time to meet the schedules of the Association.
• Initiates and provides inventories and work logs for line and substation equipment on hand and work performed in each substation in each district on a monthly basis, forwarding such work logs and inventories to supervisor.
• Maintains, tests, and repairs or replaces switches, transformers, circuit breakers, regulators, lightning arrestors, circuit switchers, OCRS and any substation, transmission or distribution line mechanical equipment in substations or shop. Equipment shall be maintained & tested according to manufacturer/LPEA specifications and time frame.
• Repairs and maintains fences around substations and Association yards. Maintains substation yards, sprays and mows weeds, removes snow, and keeps neat and orderly substation properties.
• Makes monthly inspections of all substations, exercising relays, OCRs, and regulators as required. Inspections shall be recorded in company database.
• Tests and filters transformer, LTC, and switch oil.
• Maintains clean and orderly workshop and transformer containment facilities.
• Conducts hi-pot and high voltage tests of service equipment prior to storage and installation. Perform TTR test on transformers.
• Provides coordination and switching for installation and removal of mobile substations and during upgrade of substations and maintenance of equipment, obtaining switching orders through an established dispatch system.
• Supervises and assists in the construction and maintenance of substations when assigned.
• Pulls oil samples from transformers and other electrical equipment for PCB tests. Completes and documents on PCB oil test forms. Takes proper care of any PCB contaminated equipment -marking, tagging, and disposal.
• Provides infrared inspections of equipment in substations and on lines and submits reports for repair.
• Tests transformers returned from the field. Preps and paints those that can be reused and sends them to the warehouse to be placed in inventory. Maintains inventory of scrap transformers and facilitates their removal once there is a surplus.
• Keeps inventory records to ensure proper tools, equipment, fire extinguishers, fuses, etc. are kept in each substation.
• Must understand and adhere to ALL LPEA’s SOP’s (standard operating procedures) and Safety Manual.

On occasion, may be required to:

• Assist line crews in restoring service during times of emergency.
• Perform other duties of like or lesser grade which may be assigned by Supervisor.

EDUCATION/TRAINING/EXPERIENCE/LICENSE REQUIRED:

• High School Diploma, or its equivalent.
• Journeyman Lineman with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in all phases of powerline installation and maintenance with an additional 2 years’ experience in the substation department OR
• 6 years’ experience in a substation maintenance/apparatus position.
• Current CDL with clean driving record
• Forklift Certification
• First Aid and CPR certification
• The successful completion of a four-year electrical line worker or substation apprenticeship is preferred

In this position you will be exposed to:

• Extreme weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, snow, humidity and wind.
• Moderate noise levels.
• Hazards that include risk of electrical shock and working at heights.

This job requires the ability to:

• Walk extended distances on uneven surfaces and steep grades.
• Sit for short periods of time.
• Lift and carry up to 25lbs frequently and up to 75lbs occasionally.
• Climb ladders, scaffolding, stairs, poles and inclined surfaces occasionally.
• Balance, stoop, kneel, crouch and reach on an occasional basis.
• Speak, read, hear and understand English in order to safely work on or around hazards.

Candidates selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be required to complete a basic skills test to evaluate competency.