Second Class Substation/Meter Technician

Second Class Substation/Meter Technician

This is semi-skilled and skilled work assisting a first-class substation and meter technician in the installation, repair, maintenance, and testing of meters, relays, and substation equipment. Work involves assisting in the installation, maintenance, and testing of meters and relays, and the maintenance and monitoring of substation equipment. Work may occasionally be performed from either poles or bucket trucks. The employee frequently works with live voltage lines and sometimes in unfavorable weather conditions, and thus must exercise exceptional care to protect his life as well as the lives of other employees. Employees of this class instruct and train service technicians and other helpers. Work is performed under the general supervision of a supervisor or first-class substation and meter technician. Work is subject to inspection by the supervisor while in progress or upon completion for quality and operating results.

Examples of Work

• Assists first-class substation meter technician with energy audits.
• Assists first-class meter technician in the installation, maintenance, programming, and testing of all types of meters; makes tests and performs maintenance on substation equipment; investigates customer complaints, operates Hydro, bucket trucks, and line trucks; repairs equipment.
• Helps with downloads of meters.
• Reads large capacity meters; must be willing to learn how to use all the electronic test equipment.
• Investigates power failures; determines source of trouble; analyzes customer complaints; under supervision, this class employee takes appropriate action to restore power and troubleshoots electrical problems.
• Performs PCB tests and inspections; conducts oil tests; maintains files.
• Learns the operation of SCADA and assists in switching operations online and in substations.
• Attends training classes as directed.
• Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications of Work

• High school graduation (or the equivalent); experience in the maintenance, testing, and installation of substation equipment and meters, supplemented by training as an electrician; or any combination of experience and training which provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:
• Knowledge of the approved methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in substation and meter technician work. Knowledge of the occupational hazards and proper safety precautions used in energized substation work. Knowledge of first aid, including artificial respiration. Willing to learn the principles of electrical theory as applied to substation, metering, and relay systems.
• Ability to understand and follow oral instructions quickly and accurately. Ability to work under adverse weather conditions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and to deal with the public pleasantly and courteously. Ability to learn the work of a first-class meter technician. Ability and willingness to be on call duty at any time.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk or hear, and reach with hands and arms; occasionally climb 35 to 90 feet poles and to work among high tension wires; balance and sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is regularly required to lift to 50 pounds and occasionally required to lift to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distant, and peripheral vision. The employee is frequently required to smell.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The employee is regularly required to work in wet, humid, and outdoor conditions where there is a risk of electrical shock and near moving mechanical parts; frequently required to work in extreme cold and hot weather; and occasionally work in high, precarious places. The noise level is loud.

Special Requirements

• Must have a valid Virginia Commercial Driver's License or must obtain one within six months of employment.
• Must be able to report to the work site within 30 minutes for after-hours emergency call-back situations. Must become certified in first aid and artificial respiration and obtain flagger's certification within 90 days of hire date.
• May be required to take SCADA, PCB, and record-keeping courses, and obtain Substation School and Electric Meter School Certificates.