What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lineman Apprentice position at City of Dothan?
Candidate Physical Ability Test & Written Exam: May 6, 2025
Lineman Apprentice Orientation Video:
Testing Procedure
This position is responsible for assisting in the construction, maintenance, and repair of electrical system lines, substations, and other components as an Apprentice Lineman.
- Completes a City of Dothan Electric Department approved apprenticeship program requirement.
- Acts as first responder to hazardous situations to ensure safe entry by other emergency response personnel; assists the Fire Department in extinguishing electrical fires.
- Assists and/or completes tasks, under the supervision and/or direction of the General Line and Service Supervisor, a Line Supervisor, Lead Lineman 1st Class, or Lineman 1st Class as part of a crew engaged in the construction, installation, repair, and/or maintenance of substations, transmission lines, underground and overhead primary distribution and secondary electrical lines, transformers, poles, and/or fiber optic cable.
- Monitors work area to ensure the safety of crewmembers, the public, equipment, and other property.
- Gathers materials and equipment as directed by the General Line and Service Supervisor, Line Supervisor, Lead Lineman 1st Class, work orders, crew members, and/or engineer’s drawings for the construction and/or installation of improvements and/or changes to the electric system; notifies warehouse personnel of materials to be utilized.
- Assists in installing system coordination and protection devices.
- Assists in completing daily logbooks; completes work orders by tracking all material and equipment utilized and recording meter number and reading.
- Responds to after-hours outages and/or other incidents as scheduled, required, or determined necessary.
- Responds to emergencies during inclement weather and/or so deemed events.
- Performs related duties as deemed necessary and required by the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED BY THE POSITION
- Knowledge of electrical theory and principles.
- Knowledge of city and department policies and procedures.
- Knowledge of work hazards and safety guidelines.
- Knowledge of traffic control standards and practices.
- Knowledge of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements.
- Knowledge of computers and job-related software programs.
- Skill in reading and understanding blueprints.
- Skill in learning to operate and use a variety of job-related tools and equipment, including bucket trucks, digger derricks, etc.
- Skill in problem solving and trouble shooting.
- Skill in prioritizing and planning.
- Skill in interpersonal relations.
- Skill in oral and written communication.
SUPERVISORY CONTROLS
The Line Supervisor assigns work in terms of general instructions and spot-checks completed work for compliance with procedures, accuracy, and the nature and propriety of the results.
GUIDELINES
Guidelines include OSHA regulations, the APPA Safety Manual, electrical theory, the city personnel handbook, the National Electric Safety Code, the National Electric Code, the municipal code, ALDOT requirements, and city and department policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.
COMPLEXITY/SCOPE OF WORK
- The work consists of varied technical duties. Working with electrified equipment, at elevated heights, in heavy traffic, and in inclement weather contributes to the complexity of the work.
- The purpose of this position is to assist in the construction, installation, repair, and maintenance of the electric utility system as an Apprentice Lineman.
CONTACTS
- Contacts are typically with coworkers, other city personnel, contractors, business representatives, vendors, customers, and members of the public.
- Contacts are typically to resolve problems and provide services.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT
- The work is typically performed while intermittently sitting, standing, walking, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects, climbs poles and ladders, uses tools or equipment requiring a high degree of dexterity, distinguishes between shades of color, and utilizes the sense of smell and hearing.
- The work is typically performed outdoors or at other department facilities, or outdoors, occasionally in hot, cold, or inclement weather. The employee is exposed to noise, dust, dirt, grease, machinery with moving parts, and electrical hazards, and sometimes works in enclosed spaces. Work requires the use of personal protective equipment and specialty equipment.
SUPERVISORY AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY
None.
- Graduation from a standard senior-high school or GED equivalent as recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or Council on Higher Education (CHEA); and
- Certificate of completion of Pre-Apprentice Electrical Lineworker or Electrical Vocation High School program; or
- Graduation from an accredited* college or university with an Associate’s degree in Science or Electrical Theory/Technology.
*An accredited agency is recognized by the United States Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT/PROMOTION/DEMOTION/TRANSFER:
Employees are required to complete/sign the Certification & Condition of Employment/Promotion/Demotion/Transfer form(s). [See condition(s) for details.]
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Valid operator’s driver license and an acceptable driving record. (PBA 9/10/01)
- Employees are required to successfully complete the Lineman Apprenticeship Training Program within four (4) years of date of employment/promotion/transfer/ demotion to this position. (See condition for details.)
- Employees are required to obtain a Class “A” Commercial Driver License (CDL) within 120 days of date of employment/promotion/transfer/demotion to this position. (See condition for details.)
- In accordance with industry standards in terms of bucket truck operations, an employee in this position must weigh 275 pounds or less.
- In an emergency and/or standby situation, an employee in this position must be able to report to his/her regular workstation in a maximum of 30 minutes from the time of notification. (Sec. 2-30. (2) / PBA 1/9/95) This requirement must be met within six (6) months of employment/promotion/demotion/transfer.
- An employee in this position must be available to be contacted via phone within 30 days of employment/promotion/demotion/transfer, due to call out requirements.
- Personnel Rule 8.325, Lines of Progression, requires individuals entering this position either through appointment, promotion, demotion, or transfer to enter at the minimum level of the pay plan, Step One (1). (PBA 08-14-89)
- An applicant for this position is subject to various background investigations up to and including a criminal, credit, past employment, and reference checks.
- Employees are required to submit to Drug and Alcohol testing in accordance with the City of Dothan policy, which includes pre-employment and random tests for the duration of employment in this position. (PBA 8/13/12)
- Must meet the City of Dothan’s employment physical standards, which include drug/alcohol testing.
Qualified applicants will be evaluated based on training and experience as documented on their application. This evaluation will comprise of 20% of the final grade. This physical ability test will comprise 60% of the final grade. The written exam will comprise the other 20% of the final grade.
The physical ability test and written examination are scheduled for May 6, 2025. See the attached link in the job announcement for ability test information.
Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications will receive an email notification to self-schedule for the written exam. You MUST self-schedule online or you will not be allowed to take the test.
The content areas of the written examination, for the position of Lineman Apprentice, include the following:
Understand Oral Information
Understand Written Material
Numerical Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Electrical Principles & Practices
Electrical Tools
Equipment & Materials
Occupational Safety
You will be allowed 1 hour and 45 minutes for completion of the examination. Once the examination begins, you will not be allowed to leave the room until you have completed the examination.
NOTE: An applicant on vacation is responsible for attending the examination on the date scheduled. An applicant falling under federally protected leave (i.e., FMLA, USERRA) is responsible for notifying the Personnel Department in writing no later than the closing date by emailing jobs@dothan.org.
Please advise us at the time of application if you will need assistance and/or accommodation to take this examination by emailing jobs@dothan.org.
An Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer
Salary : $24 - $38
