Electric Utility Lineworker

What is an Electric Utility Lineworker?

Duties

Electric uility lineworkers typically carry out tasks under the supervision of a Line Foreman, who reviews work through on-site inspection and the evaluation of completed work projects. If you work as an electric utility lineworker, you are responsible for a range of duties, including the following:

• Maintain the utilities electric system, which includes distribution and service lines, transformers, meters, metering equipment, electrical substations, and related equipment
• Climb 45-60 feet utility poles and/or use aerial lift truck to place cables on poles per system design
• Install overhead and underground power lines and other electric equipment, such as transformers and street lights with all applicable codes, regulations, and customer specifications (NEC Electrical Code, System and/or City Specifications).
•  Assist with restoration of power outages and installation of electrical service to customers

Day in the life

An electric utility lineworker’s day can start early in the morning. The work often involves long hours, extreme weather conditions, training requirements, safety requirements, etc. There are a wide range of settings in which the lineworker has to remain calm and complete his or her work. For instance, your task could be setting up new power service at a residence one day and then re-establishing power in the middle of the night for an area recovering from a thunderstorm.

On a daily basis, each lineworker is assigned a set of work orders to complete. There can be a crew briefing with the entire team, before everyone sets out to finish the tasks in their queue. Electric utility lineworkers typically take the line truck to the job site, so checking that all tools are in place is paramount.

Strict safety standards are enforced, which include monthly safety meetings, regular inspections of safety equipment, rubber gloves and sleeves, hard hats, face shields, safety glasses, safety boots and additional safety devices are mandatory.

Work schedule and typical hours

Electric utility linemen are responsible for repairing downed power lines, and can be called to drive long distances to work in inclement weather conditions for long periods. Since power access is required at all times, even after working 8 hours on the line, electric utility linemen have to be constantly prepared 24/7 for restoring power when unexpected outages take place. Work hours can be long, as much as 32 hours at one time.

Growth of the job

Growing energy alternatives, rising demand for power supply, and the challenging nature of the work are reasons why electric utility lineworkers will find a great number of job opportunities. A lineman’s annual salary can be influenced by his geographic location, strength of union bodies and level of training.

The US Bureau of Labour Statistics projects 23 percent growth in jobs for electricians between 2010 and 2020. National projections also show approximately 20,000 New Positions openings before 2022, in the field of linework.

Typical employers

Electric utility lineworkers are hired by electric utilities nationwide and can also find a variety of jobs in the electric utility industry. Some examples of such employers are Austin Energy, Southern California Edison, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Mastec Utility Services Group, the Lower Colorado River Authority and Georgetown Utility Systems.

Great compensation packages however, make up for the effort. Most established organizations provide benefits such as a choice of Medical Plans, Dental Plan, Voluntary Vision Program, Employee Assistance Program, Financial & Legal Assistance, Education Reimbursements and 401k Savings Plan with a company match.