Line Foreman

Description

This position is open to internal applicants only, and will remain open through June 23, 2026.

Purpose of the Position:

Provides leadership and coordination of the work activities of one or more line crew(s) performing work relating to the installation and maintenance of overhead and underground electrical power lines and auxiliary equipment.

Core Competencies:

• Safety : Adhere to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, rules, and practices. Use of Personal Protective Equipment as required. Take individual responsibility in managing safety risks and reporting unsafe conditions or unsafe work practices. Respond positively to safety-oriented feedback. Contribute to a culture of safety.
• Quality of Work : Produce thorough, high quality work with minimal errors. Seek feedback, make corrections as needed. Identify problems and solve them. Strive to improve processes. Work collaboratively with team members to implement systemic changes.
• Productivity : Complete assigned work in a timely fashion. Utilize slow periods productively. Produce amount and volume expected, at accepted speed.
• Technical Skills/Job Knowledge : Demonstrate appropriate level of understanding of technical skills in area of expertise, technology, products, and/or processes involved. Perform assigned duties. Keep current on changes. Competent with all technology and industry best practices necessary to perform job. Maintain necessary certification(s).
• Communication : Oral and written communication clearly convey information. Keep others informed of activities and problems in timely manner. Listen well. Respond appropriately and respectfully.
• Teamwork/Ability to Work with Others : Demonstrate ability to work in positive manner with co-workers and/or customers with differing backgrounds, opinions, capabilities, etc. Willingly share skills, competencies, and knowledge with others. Establish and maintain strong, effective working relationships. Contribute effectively to group efforts. Promote harmony. Agree to disagree without damaging relationships.
• Accountability : Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality. Arrive on-time and be prepared to work. Accept responsibility for work and actions. Be reliable.
• Integrity : Demonstrate honesty, high ethical standards, and respect for all team members, co-workers, and KEC members.
• Professionalism : Always address internal and external customers with courtesy and respect. Dress in work attire appropriate to the position. Communicate business information in timely fashion, using means of communication appropriate to the situation.
• Support of Cooperative Goals , Policies, and Procedures: Support Cooperative goals. Adhere to all Cooperative policies and procedures. Understand that internal customer and external member focus is always top priority. Contribute effectively in support of that priority.
• Problem-Solving : Use sound logic and methodology to solve problems. Explore multiple sources for answers, as required. Able to identify hidden problems. Propose solutions.

Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions:

• Strings, splices, transfers and sags wire in energized or de-energized circuits and connects wire and transformers as specified or directed. Shortens or lengthens lines by adding or removing wire, using a variety of types of splices, connectors, sleeves or clamps. Regularly works above ground on poles or steel towers using climbers and safety belt or operating man lift equipment, boom truck or other specialized equipment not limited to but including back-hoes, boats, ATV's and snow machines.
• Routes or re-routes power lines over, under or around existing lines and structures, regularly working above, on, or in close proximity to, energized lines. Selects and uses a variety of "hot line" tools and makes use of rubber gloves, line hoses, mechanical jumpers, fiber guards, blankets and other protective devices as specified. Works on all voltages as required throughout the system.
• Installs, removes, transfers, maintains and/or repairs cross arms, pins, insulators, guys, transformer and switch racks and other overhead pole and Underground Residential Distribution (URD) equipment using a variety of hand tools, equipment and power tools.
• Installs and removes transformers, including primary and secondary current transformers and self-contained meters, cut-outs, disconnecting switches, circuit breakers and other overhead line and URD devices, rigging block and tackle where necessary or working with ground crew and winch to raise or lower equipment. May install street and area lights, working with primary and secondary voltages.
• Performs line switching or sectionalizing as directed. Performs emergency repairs, phases and connects circuits under load; performs load checks and balances feeders as required.
• Inspects lines, poles both below and above groundline and equipment for signs of damage or wear and reports deficiencies. May be required to apply pole treatment to poles as a part of the pole treatment program.
• Assists in carrying poles, digging holes, piking and guying poles and other such operations involved in the setting or replacing of poles; may erect steel towers.
• Responsible for and oversees on-the-job training of apprentices and other crew members. Ensures apprentices are assigned the work that meets apprentice hour requirements.
• May troubleshoot electrical problems on Cooperative equipment using, all fault-finding equipment.
• May trim trees, fall danger trees and clear ROW.
• Coordinates activities of personnel in equal or lower classifications.
• Keeps others informed. Reports and written communication are clear, timely and relevant. Clear, correct verbal communication. Good listener, tries to understand others. Effective in communicating with varied groups or individuals.
• Responsible for keeping the Operations Superintendent and the General Foreman informed of work progress and completion and consulting with them on problems which hinder efficient and effective completion of their duties and responsibilities.
• Reviews staking sheets and coordinates with staking group as needed.
• In addition to performing those duties and responsibilities of Journeyman Lineman, the Line Foreman directs the daily work tasks of one or more crews, leading and overseeing tailboards, safety, truck setup, whole job setup and specifications, ground watch, hazard identification, etc.
• Ensures accurate time entry and staking sheet updates.
• Complete all documentation required for the completion of assigned work tasks in a timely and accurate manner.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

• Education/Experience:
  • Five (5) years as a Journeyman Lineman.
  • Completion of an accredited apprenticeship program recognized by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee and the I.B.E.W.
  • Journeyman in good standing with the I.B.E.W.
  • Familiar with W.A.C. 296-45 standards and certified in OSHA 1910.269 training. Know and understand Kootenai Electric Cooperatives safety manual.
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Valid, unrestricted Class A (minimum) Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
  • Current First Aid/CPR card.
  • Forklift certification.
• Knowledge/Skills:
  • Knowledgeable and competent in "Pole Top Rescue".
  • Must possess sound decision-making skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Maintain a professional appearance and possess a safe work record.
  • Computer skills and proficiency with mobile device technology and applications required.
  • Knowledgeable of substation construction methods, materials, and equipment.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude.
  • Highly motivated.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Attention to accuracy and detail.
  • Computer skills and ability to effectively use current KEC computers, mobile device technology, and applications. Competent with mapping system.
  • Expert in assembly units and construction specifications.
• Mental Demands:
  • Must be able to compare, copy, compute, compile, analyze, coordinate, and synthesize, and make decisions, often with little information.
  • Must be able to observe and interpret situations.
  • Must be able to work under stressful and/or difficult conditions.

4. Physical Demands:

Must be able to lift/control 225 lbs. (dead weight) with use of handline and block.

Up to 1 Hr Per Day

Up to 2 Hrs Per Day

Up to 3 Hrs Per Day

Up to 4 Hrs Per Day

Up to 5 Hrs Per Day

Up to 6 Hrs Per Day

Up to 7 Hrs Per Day

Up to 8 to 10 Hrs Per Day

Standing

X

Walking

X

Sitting

X

Keyboarding

X

Seeing, Viewing

X

Talking & Listening

X

b. Job May Require Lifting and/or Carrying:


Never

Occasionally

Frequently

Continuously

Up to 10 lbs.

X

Up to 20 lbs.

X

Up to 30 lbs.

X

Up to 50 lbs.

X


Up to 100 lbs.

X- with assistance


b. Job Can Require:


Never

Occasionally

Frequently

Continuously

Bending

X

Squatting

X

Crawling

X

Climbing

X

Reaching above shoulder level

X

c. Activities Can Include:


Never

Occasionally

Frequently

Continuously

Unprotected heights

X

Around noisy machinery

X

Exposure to marked temperature changes

X

Driving automotive equipment

X

Exposure to dust/fumes/gases

X

Note: "Occasionally" means 1% to 33%, "Frequently" means 34% to 66% and "Continuously" means 67% to 100%.

• Working Conditions/Hazards:
  • Works with and exposed to high voltages at very close distances.
  • Works outside every day of the year, at all hours of the day and night, and in the worst of conditions.
  • Operates equipment around traffic and obstructions.
  • Extensive travel driving to member and/or cooperative property locations. Travel may be required for training and/or other purposes.
  • Must be available for unscheduled work and be available for "on call" duty.