First Class Lineworker - Apprentice
Rochester Public Utilities
www.rpu.org
RPU, a division of the City of Rochester, MN, is the largest municipal utility in the State of Minnesota. RPU serves over 57,000 electric customers and 41,000 water customers in a 60 square mile service area and has revenues nearing $161 million annually.
The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to
ALL
voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.
We believe
EQUITY
should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.
It takes us all working together
.
Nature of Work
This position is responsible for the construction, maintenance and repair of overhead and underground, electric distribution and transmission facilities of 120 volts through 161,000 volts, under the direction of a lead worker. Primary duties include, but not limited to setting or removing poles; installing conductors; pulling, splicing, and terminating cable; installing or removing transformers and switches; operating switching devices; locating and repairing cable and equipment faults; installing, inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining underground manholes, conduits, and pad-mounted equipment; and performing other related duties as required. Individuals may also be assigned to locate RPU’s underground electric utility lines and equipment.
2024 Starting Wage
$41.75/hr, with advancement to $52.19/hr, after four years.
Applications will close on September 18, 2024.
Please note:
Applicants invited to interview will be completing a climbing exercise and should bring their own boots, gloves, and pole climbing gear (hooks, belt, fall restraint).
In addition to the climbing exercise, applicants will be provided with extra time to complete a written, job-related skills assessment.
- THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S ASBESTOS OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE (0&M) PROGRAM (based on job assignment)
Employees in this position are required to use protective equipment including respirators and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.
- THIS POSITION IS COVERED UNDER THE RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM
Employees currently in the position or individuals hired for this position must be able to meet medical qualifications for the use of a respirator and be able to work in confined spaces.
- THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY'S HEARING CONSERVATION PROGRAM
Employees in this position are required to use hearing protection and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.
- THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY THE CITY OF ROCHESTER DRUG TESTING POLICY
The drug and alcohol testing policies and procedures of the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements, including Minnesota Statutes 181.950 through 181.957; the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988; and/or the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
*Pre-employment and/or periodic testing may be required.
THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY RPU'S AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
In order to provide timely services, RPU has designated specific positions which must comply with an area residency requirement, based on job-related necessity where employees in such positions must reside within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location.
New Hires
Individuals hired for designated positions with RPU covered by an area residency requirement who do not meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months, from their date of hire, in order to meet the thirty (30) driving mile requirement.
Current Employees
RPU employees in designated positions covered by the area residency requirement and who reside at a location that allows them to report to work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified, prior to March 9, 2012, shall be deemed to comply with RPU's area residency requirement provided that they remain at their current address. If a current RPU employee in a designated position covered by the area residency requirement relocates, their new address/residence must be located within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location and notice must be given to their immediate supervisor prior to relocating to ensure compliance with the area residency requirement.
Promotional Opportunities
Promotions to designated RPU positions covered by an area residency requirement shall be withheld from employees whose address/residence is located more than thirty (30) driving miles from the normally scheduled work reporting location of their new position, with the exception of employees who are willing to relocate within 12 months from date of promotion in order to comply with the thirty (30) driving mile area residence requirement; OR employees who immediately prior to their promotion were in a designated position and resided at a location that allowed them to report to work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified.
Noncompliance with Residency Requirements
In the event that an employee fails to comply with the residency requirement, the employee will be considered to no longer meet the minimum requirements of the position. In such instance, the City will take formal action, up to and including termination. An employee may be granted an extension if there is credible basis, as determined by the employer, for justification as to why the employee has failed to comply. Said basis shall consist of circumstances not caused or controlled by the employee.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: the tools, materials and methods used in overhead and underground line construction and maintenance; OSHA electrical safety procedures and practices; first aid and CPR; principles of electrical theory as applied to electrical circuits and utility wiring systems; the occupational hazards and safety practices of the trade; tree limb removal.
Skill in: the use and care of line tools, chainsaws, and electrical testing equipment; organizing and prioritizing work.
Ability to: use internet browsers, email, and other standard software; basic use of computers and mobile electronic devices; read and interpret electrical drawings, maps, and technical manuals; distinguish colors; perform heavy manual labor; climb utility poles and work from an insulated aerial basket; work with high voltage cables; work under varying weather conditions; communicate clearly and concisely in both oral and written formats (English language); understand and follow oral and written instructions; exercise good judgment in emergency situations; deal tactfully with coworkers and the public; build and utilize effective working relationships; provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers.
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.
In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as
Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. However, there times when
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects, is performed, depending on the project or task.
Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:
Continuous demands: standing, walking, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling
Frequent demands: lifting, carrying, fine dexterity, bending, twisting, climbing
Occasional demands: balancing, foot controls, sitting
Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, hearing, touch, smell
Environmental conditions that may exist in the performance of the essential functions of this job include:
Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Noise (need to shout in order to be heard)
Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities of whole body)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Work at heights (such as on scaffolding, ladders, or aerial lifts)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, excavation equipment, trucks, cranes)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, arc resistant clothing,etc.)