Grounds Specialist

Ground Specialist South Central Indiana REMC (SCI REMC) is a not-for-profit electric and fiber distribution, member-owned cooperative. The cooperative is a leader in distribution technology and is headquartered in Martinsville, Indiana. SCI REMC serves seven counties including Morgan, Monroe, Owen, Brown, Johnson, Putnam and Clay with over 3,650 miles of energized lines and 35,800 electric members and about 12,500 fiber subscribers. SCI REMC has a department dedicated to tree clearance for the power line right-of-way area which currently has an opening for Ground Specialists. The main responsibilities of the position are listed below. We are looking for a person with demonstrated experience to work safely, accurately, and efficiently as a respectful team member. The successful candidate must be a dedicated and dependable individual with the ability to work safely. The Ground Specialist safely loads and unloads trucks by hand or with booms, winches, skids, and dollies. Carries and lays out materials, tools, and equipment at the work site and furnishes these items to climbers manually or mechanically using lines, blocks, winches, and making a variety of knots in the lines and hitches to raise and lower items up and down the trees. Gives and relays hand signals to direct traffic. Drives a truck with an attached trailer or trailer/chipper and transports a tree clearance crew and their tools, materials, and equipment. Operates the controls for winches, booms, and spray equipment. Follows hand, voice, or other signals or views the work directly in positioning the truck at the site and in operating associated equipment. Must have a current motor vehicle operator's license and must be capable of operating large motorized vehicles such as those used in tree clearance operations. Applicants with CDL or vegetation management certifications preferred. Successful candidates will be willing to work 5 days a week – 8 hours per day, seasonally and working into the evening hours or weekends, if needed for storms. Physical Requirements: This position is classified as Very Heavy Work under the DOL classifications. Position requires exerting in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds across uneven terrain. May also need to lift and move logs or branches up to 50 - 80 pounds frequently. Position is physically demanding and mobile, reaching, forward bending, and balancing are daily activities. Ability to crawl beneath large equipment with little ground clearance to maintain equipment. Safely utilize chainsaw, handsaws, and other hand tools as needed to complete tasks. Ability to obtain a CDL and drive company vehicles to worksites. Uses hand, eye and foot coordination in driving the truck and/or trailer on and off the roads; actuating levers and pedals to operate the boom, winch, or winches; in climbing around on the vehicle or trailer; in stock-keeping; using small, common hand tools to service the truck, trailer and equipment, as well as splice a rope, etc. Uses hand lines and prescribed knots to raise and lower objects up and down trees. Be regular in attendance. Ability to drive personal vehicle to various show-up sites within the service area, as needed. Adverse Working Conditions – Works outdoors the year around under adverse weather conditions, especially during storm emergencies and sometimes when performing routine work. Works any hour of the day or night and for long periods at a time during storm emergencies and outages, as needed. Is exposed to hazards of working near power equipment, traffic, high voltage wires, and falling limbs. May also walk or stand in ground conditions of deep mud, snow, swamp, and poisonous plants. As contact person with customers, general public, etc., is subject to attack by vicious dogs and smaller pets. SCI REMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation) age, national origin, disability, genetic information or veteran status. Selection is focused on individual merit, experience/education, initiative, and work performance. SCI REMC complies with all federal and state laws. SCI REMC