Offered in Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Houston, TX.

Nature of Work

The work of this craft is chiefly concerned with the erection of poles and towers, the stringing of overhead lines, the installation of underground systems, the installation and connection of sub-stations and all types of maintenance and modification of the above.

Practically all of the line work is performed out of doors and lineman are exposed to all types of weather conditions, in fact, much of the emergency work in this field is occasioned by extreme weather conditions. Much of the work is at heights ranging from 40 to several hundred feet off of the ground and lineman must be physically capable of climbing up and down metal towers, wood poles and other structures. They must handle heavy equipment and other materials while suspended from towers by safety belt and from wood poles, while standing on climbers and suspended by safety belt.

Linemen are required to perform work on energized lines and equipment. These extreme hazardous conditions require that lineman be capable of performing their work at all times in a safe manner; to be thoroughly familiar with the tools and equipment involved, and be able to get along with other members of the crew. Construction linemen are also frequently called upon to work in close harmony with customer personnel, and must be capable of coordinating their efforts with such people.

Due to the nature of the work, construction linemen are expected to travel and live away from home for a portion of the time. Linemen are not reimbursed for expenses while traveling away from home.

Primary hazards of the trade involve falling, exposure to electrical burns ( both high and low voltage ) and injury due to reaching, lifting and carrying. This occupation requires a high degree of physical strength and endurance.

Job Description

In order to acquire the necessary skills of the trade in its various categories, the Sub-station Technician Apprentice shall be provided with on the job training in the following categories:

• Grounding-Construction of protective grounding grid for electrical systems, controls, cabinets, transformers, control houses, fences and steel structures.
• Foundations-Installing foundations and bases for control cabinets, transformers control houses and steel structures. All digging, trenching, rebar construction, utility location and conduit installations. (includes pole boxes and manholes)
• Fence--Layout and build protective parameter and/or security fence for sub-station and public protection. Knowledge and understanding of minimum approach distance while work in the vicinity of energized circuits.
• Layouts-Plan and layout work from blue prints, diagrams or utility specification sheets.
• Wiring- Cable pulling, coding, wiring and terminating of cables for electrical systems, control monitoring and communication within the sub-station and outside sources.
• Steel Structures- Erection of steel support structures for high voltage electrical apparatus and construction of steel control houses for monitor and switching.
• Transformers- Installation, connection and service of sub-station transformers and circuit breakers for maintenance and new construction.

BUS INSTALLATION

• Condit- Bending and installation of isolated high voltage pipe or bus for distribution connections within sub-station between transmission lines, distribution lines and transformers.
• Strain Bus- Installation of suspended wire used as bus for distribution connections within sub-station between transmission lines, distribution lines and transformers.
• Bus Welding- Welding of conduit used as bus for circuit connections within sub-station. Welding of various materials and welding techniques uses in different applications.

SWITCHES

• Installations and Adjustment- Assembly of switching gear for transmission and distribution of high voltage.

Apprenticeship Requirements

• 18 Years of Age
• Completed Application
• Acknowledge EEOC statement
• Work History
• Provide Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas Class A CDL license.
• DD214 if applicable
• Application Fees $30/area
• Pass ETA aptitude test prior to interviewing.

The term of apprenticeship shall be 7,000 hours of on-the-job training and may require more than three and one half years to complete in view of possible employment lapses.

Each apprentice shall be required to complete three years of related instruction away from the job. Time spent in related instruction, at home and/ or in the classroom shall be in addition to the 7,000 hours of on-the-job training, and is not considered hours of work.