What are the responsibilities and job description for the Apprentice Lineman position at Snohomish County PUD?
Applicant Cap
Snohomish County PUD #1 anticipates filling six (6) Line Apprentice positions in 2024. All applicants interested in applying for these positions are required to complete the PUD job application including the Line Apprentice supplemental screening questions. We will only be inviting the first 600 qualified applicants that complete the online application to test. This will be determined by the system recorded application timestamp. Any applications beyond the first 600 will not be considered for this recruitment.
Testing and Interviews
Testing and interviews will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.
Invitations will be sent the week of May 20, 2024. Please check your email, including your spam/junk folder, for your invitation to test.
If you do not receive an email by May 24, 2024, please reach out to Monica Doppel at msdoppel@snopud.com.
Testing and interviews are tentatively scheduled as follows, subject to change:
- Written Test (Math, Reading Comprehension, Construction Standards, Tool Recognition, Mechanical and Spatial Ability)
- Physical Ability and Strength
- Field Testing
- In Person Interview
- Climbing Interview
Job Definition
Works as a member of a crew assisting in the installation, repair, maintenance and removal of electrical line equipment of the District's transmission and distribution systems, energized or de-energized, located both underground and overhead in accordance with safety and construction standards and regulations. Attends formal classes to supplement on-the-job-training. The Line Apprentice reports to and is under the direction of a Line Foreman, Construction Superintendent or Manager, Distribution Services. The Line Apprentice also takes instruction and work direction from assigned Journeymen Linemen.
Distinguishing Characteristics
This is a minimum 7000-hour, 3.5-year apprenticeship program approved by the Joint Apprentice Training Committee (JATC). Apprentices will receive and must attend a minimum of 144 hours of related/supplemental instruction on non-paid status per year. This is a progressive position with time requirements and with more responsibility assigned as experience is gained. Steps 1-3 will include work around, but not on, high voltage; at Steps 4-7, the Line Apprentice will learn and apply high voltage techniques. The JATC determines if the incumbent may progress to the next step, based on satisfactory job performance, classroom progress, step tests, final examination at IBEW Local #77, and evaluations and recommendation by the Line Sub-Committee. Per CBA 7.9.2: A seventh period Line Apprentice may, for relief only, take the place of a Journeyman Lineman, if qualified and by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee’s (JATC) approval, and shall be paid Journeyman Lineman’s rate of pay only while working as a Journeyman.
Essential Job Functions
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply, and demonstrate competence in the following skills:
- Attend and complete District core classes, acquiring required employment skills
- Attend and complete required District Line related training acquiring the following: First Aid/CPR Card, Flaggers Certification, and Defensive Driving Training card
- Introduction and review of Safety procedures and rules, including WAC 296-24, 296-45, 296-54, 296-62, and 296-155 (Electrical Workers Safety Rules), and the District Accident Prevention Manual
- Housekeeping, vehicle loading/unloading, and clean-up
- Safety devices used in the trade
- Equipment Familiarization
- Climbing Techniques
- Tools and Equipment of the Trade
- Fueling Procedures
- Rigging
- Handline Operation
- Pole Setting/Framing
- Hardware Assembly
- System Operations
- Connectors
- Wire Types and Sizes
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:
- Attend and complete required District Line related training acquiring a Washington State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A
- Familiarity with Toolroom and Tree Trimming duties
- Rigging Plant Removal (wrecking out/salvage work)
- Begin limited exposure to working on hot secondary
- District related recordkeeping procedures (such as: work sketches, stock issues, pole issues, etc.)
- Safety
- System Operations
- Climbing
- Pole Setting/Framing
- Service Meters
- Hardware Assembly
- De-energized Circuit Work
- Guying
THIRD SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 3 – Next 1000 hours):
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply, and demonstrate competence in the following skills:
- Equipment related to line work (manlift, boom trucks, digger/derrick, etc.)
- Safety
- Transformer Hookups
- Climbing
- Pole Setting/Framing
- Hot Line Tools
- De-energized Transmission
- Work on Energized Secondaries
- Conductors
- System Operations
- Rigging
FOURTH SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 4 – Next 1000 hours):
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:
- Begin Work on Single Phase Energized Primary
- Safety
- Hot Line Tools
- Transformer Banks
- Cold Distribution
- Meter Base Testing
- System Operations
- Hot Secondaries
- De-energized Transmission
- Standards
Essential Job Functions (continued)
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:
- Safety
- Hotsticking
- Work on All Energized Circuits
- Transformers
- Wire Pulling Equipment
- System Operations
- Test Equipment
- Work Orders/Job Prints
- Pole Setting/Framing
SIXTH SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 6 – Next 1000 hours):
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:
- Safety
- Transformers
- Work on All Energized Circuits
- Job Layout
- Wire Pulling Equipment
- System Operations
- Metering
- Work Orders/Job Prints
SEVENTH SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 7 – Next 1000 hours):
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:
- Safety
- Transformers
- Work on All Energized Circuits
- Job Layout
- Wire Pulling Equipment
- System Operations
UNDERGROUND (Steps 1 - 3 – Within the first 3000 Hours/18 months):
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, during steps 1 through 3, the Apprentice will be provided the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following underground skills:
- Safety
- Cable Installation
- Tool identification and use
- Hardware Assembly
- Wire Types/Sizes
- Grounding
- Equipment Familiarization
- Service
- Excavating
- Knots
- Vaults
- Terminations
- Conduit Installation
- Hot Line Tools
UNDERGROUND (Steps 4 - 7 – Within the last 4000 Hours/24 months):
As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, during steps 4 through 7, the Apprentice will be provided the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following underground skills:
- Safety
- Padmount Switchgear
- Underground Switching Procedures
- Print Reading
- Padmount Transformers
- Maintenance Grounding
- Vaults
- Test Equipment
- Terminal Poles
Other Job Functions
N/A
Minimum Qualifications
- Interact with customers, the general public, and District employees as necessary to complete assignments.
Experience/Education
Education/Experience:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent.
Age:
- Applicants for apprenticeship shall be at least 18-years-old.
Selection Process:
Successful completion of such selection tests as approved by the JATC large committee and administered by the District.
License/Certification
- Valid Driver License
- Ability to obtain a valid Washington State Driver License within thirty (30) days of job start date
Preferred Qualifications
N/A
Working Conditions
- Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment.
- Subject to varying weather conditions during daylight and hours of darkness and a wide variety of environmental factors.
- Employees risk physical hazard from energized equipment and circuits.
- Must be able to lift, carry, and move heavy equipment and materials in excess of 65 pounds.
- Ability to climb poles and work at heights up to and in excess of 100 feet.
- Work requires lifting, climbing, hoisting, pulling occasional prolonged physical exertion.
- Must be able to stand, bend, reach, push, pull, stoop and climb for extended periods of times.
- Works with personal protective equipment including hearing and eye protection.
- Must be able to perform rescue operations, including Pole Top and Vault Rescue.
- Must be able to work long hours as storm conditions dictate.
- Subject to 24-hour call-out for emergency conditions
Benefits
In addition to a competitive compensation program, Snohomish County PUD #1 offers a comprehensive benefits package. Employees and eligible dependents may enroll in medical, dental, vison hardware, basic life insurance, long-term disability, accidental death and dismemberment, voluntary term life, and retirement benefits (including PERS pension, 401(k), and a 457 plan). The Snohomish County PUD also provides an employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, short-term disability, paid time off benefits starting at 20 days a year, plus 5 days of extended sick leave and 11 paid holidays. For more information on our benefits package please visit www.snopud.com/benefitoverview
Snohomish County PUD #1 is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Women, Disabled and Veterans.
Nearest Major Market: Seattle
Nearest Secondary Market: Everett
Job Segment: High Voltage, Electrical, Engineer, Energy, Engineering
Salary : $54
