Job Description

Step 1 Apprentice to Line Technician

Work Location: Armour, SD

Pay range: Union Rate $31.04 to $48.50 per hour

Employment Status: Regular Full-time

External candidates apply at

Internal candidates apply through .

About this position:

The Line Technician performs power line installation, maintenance, and service work. The Line Technician must be able to work as a person in charge as a Leadsman or Lead Line Technician. As a Lead Line Technician or Leadsman they may oversee all aspects of a project; including safety, paperwork, planning, coordinating with engineers, and documenting equipment used.

The Apprentice Line Technician trains and works under the supervision of a Line Technician to develop the abilities and functions to perform labor, and lineman jobs. During their training, they will learn and progressively perform the responsibilities of the Line Technician as qualified.

We offer great benefits:

NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,500 amazing people and serve 764,200 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:

• 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
• Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)
• Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
• Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid training opportunities
• Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job:

• All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
• Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy\'s values, mission, and strategic business objectives
• Respond from home to primary work location within a reasonable amount of time
• Individually lift and manipulate needed equipment weighing up to 75 pounds
• Organize equipment and perform regular and preventative maintenance
• Work overtime outside of scheduled hours, participating in either call out availability or an on-call rotation schedule, in response to acute and/ or planned service needs

Line Technician

• Communicate verbally and understand audible signals in emergency/safety situations
• Troubleshoot electrical outages, power quality and complete installation and maintenance work related to all aspects of electric distribution and transmission systems
• Perform rubber gloving work for safely working with primary/high-voltage and low-voltage lines and equipment
• Install and retire overhead and underground electric lines
• Perform sustained work at heights including ladder work, climbing and working from poles, and bucket work
• Frame, install, or replace poles
• Maintain lines and support structures in substations; erect steel to replace or increase size of substation structures as needed
• Operate heavy equipment including diggers, trenchers, back hoes, and bucket trucks
• Remove tree limbs near electric lines
• Complete documentation for project planning and completion
• Assume leadership role in response to emergency situations
• Interact with the public
• Act as a Leadsman or Lead Line Technician as needed
• PCB tests/clean up as required by OSHA

Apprentice Line Technician

• Perform those physical and mental requirements necessary to undertake a multi-step apprenticeship process designed to train the worker to safely and efficiently perform all aspects related to the installation, maintenance, and service of electrical distribution and transmission lines
• Communicate verbally and understand audible signals in emergency/safety situations
• Work together as a team member to safely and efficiently complete work activities
• Satisfactorily complete required program to progress to qualified Journeyman Lineman status
• Locate buried lines including electric and gas underground services
• Trained as a first responder or must be willing to be trained in that capacity
• Switching as needed
• Perform service and customer-service work including disconnect-reconnects and credit turn-offs
• Drive to installation locations

Am I right for this job? Here\'s the success profile:

• Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Commercial driver\'s license and satisfactory driving record
• First Aid/CPR Certification
• Commitment to safe working practices and knowledge of safety policies/procedures
• Adapt to technological changes as they are implemented

Line Technician:

• Journeyman Lineman Certification
• Act as a Leadsman or Lead Line Technician as needed
• Bucket truck and pole top rescue certification

Apprentice Line Technician:

• Completion of post-secondary technical program preferred
• Knowledge of applicable codes and safety

Requisition #4116

Posting Dates: March 8, 2024 through March 22, 2024

Department/Division: Distribution Operations

Employment Physical: Required

Drug Test: Required

Background Check: Required

Relocation Benefit: Negotiable

Telecommuting: None

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at .

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Northwestern Energy