Line Apprentice Jobs

Applicant Cap

Snohomish County PUD #1 anticipates filling six (6) Line Apprentice positions in 2023. All applicants interested in applying for these positions are required to complete the PUD job application including the Line Apprentice supplemental screening questions. We will only be inviting the first 600 qualified applicants that complete the online application to test. This will be determined by the system recorded application timestamp. Any applications beyond the first 600 will not be considered for this recruitment.

Testing and Interviewing

Testing and interviews will be scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

Please check your email/junk folder by May 22, 2023 for an invitation to test.

If you did not receive an email, please reach out to [email protected].

Testing and interviews are tentatively scheduled as follows, subject to change:

Job Definition

Works as a member of a crew assisting in the installation, repair, maintenance and removal of electrical line equipment of the District's transmission and distribution systems, energized or de-energized, located both underground and overhead in accordance with safety and construction standards and regulations. Attends formal classes to supplement on-the-job-training. The Line Apprentice reports to and is under the direction of a Line Foreman, Construction Superintendent or Manager, Distribution Services. The Line Apprentice also takes instruction and work direction from assigned Journeymen Linemen.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a minimum 7000-hour, 3.5-year apprenticeship program approved by the Joint Apprentice Training Committee (JATC). Apprentices will receive and must attend a minimum of 144 hours of related/supplemental instruction on non-paid status per year. This is a progressive position with time requirements and with more responsibility assigned as experience is gained. Steps 1-3 will include work around, but not on, high voltage; at Steps 4-7, the Line Apprentice will learn and apply high voltage techniques. The JATC determines if the incumbent may progress to the next step, based on satisfactory job performance, classroom progress, step tests, final examination at IBEW Local #77, and evaluations and recommendation by the Line Sub-Committee. Per CBA 7.9.2: A seventh period Line Apprentice may, for relief only, take the place of a Journeyman Lineman, if qualified and by the Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee’s (JATC) approval, and shall be paid Journeyman Lineman’s rate of pay only while working as a Journeyman.

Essential Job Functions

FIRST SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 1 – First 1000 hours):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply, and demonstrate competence in the following skills:

• Fueling Procedures
• Wire Types and Sizes
• Introduction and review of Safety procedures and rules, including WAC 296-24, 296-45, 296-54, 296-62, and 296-155 (Electrical Workers Safety Rules), and the District Accident Prevention Manual
• System Operations
• Rigging
• Pole Setting/Framing
• Attend and complete District core classes, acquiring required employment skills
• Housekeeping, vehicle loading/unloading, and clean-up
• Hardware Assembly
• Tools and Equipment of the Trade
• Attend and complete required District Line related training acquiring the following: First Aid/CPR Card, Flaggers Certification, and Defensive Driving Training card
• Equipment Familiarization
• Handline Operation
• Climbing Techniques
• Connectors
• Safety devices used in the trade

SECOND SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 2 – Next 1000 hours):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:

• District related recordkeeping procedures (such as: work sketches, stock issues, pole issues, etc.)
• Familiarity with Toolroom and Tree Trimming duties
• Pole Setting/Framing
• Service Meters
• Rigging Plant Removal (wrecking out/salvage work)
• Guying
• System Operations
• Begin limited exposure to working on hot secondary
• Climbing
• Hardware Assembly
• Attend and complete required District Line related training acquiring a Washington State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Class A
• De-energized Circuit Work
• Safety

THIRD SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 3 – Next 1000 hours):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply, and demonstrate competence in the following skills:

• Climbing
• De-energized Transmission
• Rigging
• Work on Energized Secondaries
• Pole Setting/Framing
• System Operations
• Hot Line Tools
• Conductors
• Safety
• Transformer Hookups
• Equipment related to line work (manlift, boom trucks, digger/derrick, etc.)

FOURTH SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 4 – Next 1000 hours):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:

• Cold Distribution
• Hot Line Tools
• Safety
• De-energized Transmission
• Meter Base Testing
• Transformer Banks
• Begin Work on Single Phase Energized Primary
• Hot Secondaries
• Standards
• System Operations

Specialized Job Functions

Essential Job Functions (Continued)

FIFTH SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 5 – Next 1000 hours):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:

• Test Equipment
• Work Orders/Job Prints
• Hotsticking
• Transformers
• Wire Pulling Equipment
• Safety
• Pole Setting/Framing
• System Operations
• Work on All Energized Circuits

SIXTH SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 6 – Next 1000 hours):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:

• System Operations
• Work Orders/Job Prints
• Metering
• Work on All Energized Circuits
• Safety
• Transformers
• Job Layout
• Wire Pulling Equipment

SEVENTH SIX (6) MONTHS (Step 7 – Next 1000 hours):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, this not less than 6-month, minimum 1000-hour step will provide the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following skills:

• Work on All Energized Circuits
• Wire Pulling Equipment
• System Operations
• Job Layout
• Safety
• Transformers

UNDERGROUND (Steps 1 - 3 – Within the first 3000 Hours/18 months):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, during steps 1 through 3, the Apprentice will be provided the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following underground skills:

• Wire Types/Sizes
• Knots
• Excavating
• Conduit Installation
• Safety
• Terminations
• Service
• Equipment Familiarization
• Grounding
• Cable Installation
• Vaults
• Tool identification and use
• Hardware Assembly
• Hot Line Tools
• Print Reading

UNDERGROUND (Steps 4 - 7 – Within the last 4000 Hours/24 months):

As outlined in the Line Apprentice program, during steps 4 through 7, the Apprentice will be provided the opportunity to learn, apply and demonstrate competence in the following underground skills:

• Test Equipment
• Safety
• Underground Switching Procedures
• Terminal Poles
• Padmount Transformers
• Maintenance Grounding
• Print Reading
• Padmount Switchgear
• Vaults

Other Job Functions

N/A

Minimum Qualifications

• Interact with customers, the general public, and District employees as necessary to complete assignments.

Experience/Education

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.

Age:

• Applicants for apprenticeship shall be at least 18-years-old.

Selection Process:

• Successful completion of such selection tests as approved by the JATC large committee and administered by the District.

License/Certification

• Valid Driver License
• Ability to obtain a valid Washington State Driver License within thirty (30) days of job start date

Preferred Qualifications

N/A

Working Conditions

• Subject to varying weather conditions during daylight and hours of darkness and a wide variety of environmental factors.
• Ability to climb poles and work at heights up to and in excess of 100 feet.
• Subject to 24-hour call-out for emergency conditions.
• Work requires lifting, climbing, hoisting, pulling occasional prolonged physical exertion.
• Works with personal protective equipment including hearing and eye protection.
• Must be able to stand, bend, reach, push, pull, stoop and climb for extended periods of times.
• Must be able to perform rescue operations, including Pole Top and Vault Rescue.
• Must be able to work long hours as storm conditions dictate.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and move heavy equipment and materials in excess of 65 pounds.
• Work is performed primarily in an outdoor environment.
• Employees risk physical hazard from energized equipment and circuits.