Groundman - Dirt Crew

Salary: $35.48 - $40.29 Hourly
Location : 875 Industrial Way, Longview, WA
Job Type: Full Time
Department: Operations
Division: Line
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: 6/7/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: IBEW


Description
Cowlitz PUD is the local publicly owned power company for Cowlitz County. We are looking for a Groundman to join our Dirt Crew.

You are a great fit if:

• You are positive, great communicator that wants to learn heavy equipment operation and about line construction.
• Have a Class A CDL and experience in operating CDL vehicles.
• You have active listening skills, can pay attention to details and are eager to work overtime hours.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with ability to constantly be learning new things.
• Can maintain a high level of internal customer service and build repour with other departments.

Cowlitz PUD as an employer offers:

• Monday through Thursday 4-10 schedule working 6:00 am to 4:30 pm with overtime hours as well.
• Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, wellness program and an on-site gym.
• Collaborative work environment throughout the entire company.
• Community and Public Service opportunities in Cowlitz County.
• Opportunities for continued learning, career development and professional growth.

Our Strategic Plan:
Through our Strategic Planning process, Cowlitz PUD prioritized the following initiatives for the coming years in accordance with our mission and vision:

1. Resource Planning
   Ensure an adequate and reliable power supply to meet the electric load requirements and clean energy obligations of Cowlitz PUD and the community.
2. System Reliability and Security
   Develop and manage Cowlitz PUD's assets and planning tools to ensure a high level of electric reliability, physical and cyber security, and safety.
3. Business Efficiency
   Implement business systems to achieve efficient use of Cowlitz PUD's resources.
4. Engagement
   Cowlitz PUD will communicate, educate, and engage with its employees, customers, and stakeholders to maintain positive relationships and prepare for future change.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
A Groundman is an entry-level union position in which the main function is to assist line workers with building, maintaining, and repairing the Districts electrical system. Other related duties may include but are not limited to AMI install, locating, meter reads and meter disconnects as assigned. Job assignments may entail very physical manual labor, digging, heavy lifting, equipment operating, Class A vehicle driving, working in rough terrain and inclement weather day or night. Groundman generally work under the supervision of a heavy equipment operator but still works in a hazardous trade so sound decision-making and good judgment is imperative.


This Groundman position will primarily work with our heavy equipment dirt crew and report directly to our Lead Heavy Equipment Operators. There will be limited work with the line crews or working with line construction.
Experience, Working Conditions and Other Requirements
Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have a valid Driver's License with A Class a commercial driver's license (CDL) with no air brake restrictions.
• Must have or obtain within 45 days of employment tanker endorsement, certifying your legal ability to transport bulk quantities of liquids and gasses via truck.
• Demonstrated experience operating a PC, laptop, or tablet.
• Must adhere to the District's residency requirements for response workers living within Cowlitz County or within 40 minutes of our Operations center.
• Must score satisfactory or above average with District and non-District evaluations.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Successful completion of an accredited line school

Work Environment:

The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Work is performed mainly outside in all weather conditions.
• Working schedule is Monday to Thursday 6:00 am to 4:30 pm. Remote work is not available for this position.
• Performs work in compliance with the District Union Contract Bargaining Agreement (CBA)and WAC 45.
• Work will be performed in the field with need to wear proper personal protection equipment (PPE) and perform work adhering to all safety standards.
• Must be capable of heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, day, or night, in all weather conditions.
• Must work evenings, weekends, and holidays and overtime for emergency outage situations.

Hiring Process
Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.
Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including potential background check, pre-placement physical exam, and full driver's abstract.
Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position is considered a safety sensitive position at Cowlitz PUD under RCW 49.44 and is subject to pre-employment drug screening including Cannabis screening.
At Cowlitz PUD we believe part of having a rewarding work place is to have a healthy work environment. You will find that we offer a full benefits package that fits all needs the needs of work/life balance.

About our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time permanent employees. Actual benefits may vary by position type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with Human Resources for specific benefit information.

Insurance Benefits:
As an employer, we offer medical, dental and vision to employees and their families. To help cover the costs of medical expenses we offer our staff a VEBA Health Reimbursement Benefit package. This package allows you to reimburse yourself for medical expenses and also save for the cost of medical at retirement.
We also provide a variety of life insurance options that will fit your families needs. For employees we offer group life coverage in the amount of 2x's your annual salary and you have the option of selecting additional life insurance for yourself, your spouse and your dependents.
To help with those times that you may be injured off the job we have short term and long-term disability for employees.

Retirement:
Cowlitz PUD employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs, PERS 2 or PERS 3.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Cowlitz PUD also has a 401k retirement plan and employees can select either traditional or Roth through Fidelity and there is an employer match benefit as well. The District matches up to 4% of the gross wages earned by staff employees. The match for union employees s dictated by the match that is negotiated through the collective bargaining agreement, which is currently 3.5% of gross wages earned by union employees.


Paid Time Off:
Employees begin accruing vacation starting the first full month of employment. Since we value our employees loyalty, the amount of paid time off you can accrue increases the longer you work with us.
Holidays:
Full-time employees are entitled to ten paid holidays:

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• President's Day (third Monday in February)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Veteran's Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)
• 2 Floating Holidays

Some of the other benefits that Cowlitz PUD offers include:

• Employee Assistance Program
• Education Assistance Program
• On-Site Gym
• Wellness Program
• Clothing Allowance, twice per year for logo wear
• Calm App Membership

01


Do you have a valid Class A CDL?

• Yes
• No

02


Do you have a valid Washington State Flaggers Card?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you have a valid First Aid/CPR certification?

• Yes
• No

04


Describe any experience you may have working in the electric utility field and with heavy equipment operation.
05


What is your work ethic philosophy, and how do you incorporate that into your daily work duties?
06


Do you prefer to work as part of a team or individually? Describe your preference and include an example.
Required Question