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Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative, an Equal Opportunity Employer, currently has the following positions open:

APPRENTICE LINE TECHNICIAN I (Two Openings)

JOB SUMMARY

Apprentice Line Technician Is will be responsible for learning and assisting Line Technicians and Foremen with performing maintenance and construction functions on energized single-phase and three-phase electrical lines, as well as construction/repair in the water distribution system. This position requires the employee to be ready to be called at any time to work. Follows and promotes workplace safety in the organization. Assists with the utility privatization contract at Tyndall Air Force Base as needed. Performs other duties as assigned.
 
QUALIFICATIONS 

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Related Experience

Must have working knowledge of or previous experience in building, construction and equipment safety

Other

Must have the ability to successfully pass Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative’s employment entrance examination and drug screen. Must have the ability to maintain a security clearance to enter government facilities (Tyndall AFB). This position requires the incumbent to be on-call at all times.

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/REQUIRED TRAINING 
  • GCEC Apprentice Line Technician Training
  • Florida CDL within six months of employment
  • Bucket Truck Rescue Training
  • Pole Top Rescue
  • CPR Certification
  • First Aid Certification
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 
  • MUST understand where occupational hazards exist and safety precautions are required for dangerous/hazardous chemicals (e.g. chlorine, etc.).
  • MUST understand underground utilities including utility color coding, flagging, mapping, marking, road marks and digging laws
  • MUST understand locating restrictions, boundaries and property limitations
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
 
Internal
 
Two-way communication with immediate supervisor on work-related plans. Receive direction and guidance as needed for performance improvement.
 
External
 
Apprentice Line Technician Is must be able to communicate with various external customers and members to ensure they are operating, digging or excavating safely and within proper boundaries. They must also demonstrate they understand that the job exists to effectively serve each and every member and take every opportunity to increase understanding for further support of GCEC.
 
CORE JOB FUNCTIONS
           
***NOTE: LEVEL I APPRENTICE LINE TECHNICIANS WILL NOT PERFORM ANY WORK ON ENERGIZED LINES.***
 
Apprentice Line Technician I MUST be able to learn and perform the following with high levels of accuracy:
  • Identify all materials necessary for work in the construction and maintenance of electric and water distribution systems
  • Understand what material is needed for primary and secondary line work, as well as water construction
  • Wire de-energized transformers and poles
  • Understand new construction jobs and the specifications required for each construction job
  • Perform any groundwork as required or directed
  • Identify potential safety hazards and be able to take corrective action
  • Demonstrate safe work practices and procedures as determined by GCEC, the National Electric Safety Code and/or OSHA.
  • Maintain and conduct preventative care of tools
  • Must be able to climb and frame de-energized poles under supervision
  • Demonstrate knowledge and compliance of GCEC policy and procedures when dealing with members, government officials or co-workers
  • Perform right-of-way trimming and clearing for jobs when necessary
  • Perform landscaping, concrete and asphalt repairs to restore member/commercial property
  • Perform routine construction and maintenance work on water lines, water mains, services and meters in the water distribution system
  • Perform light vehicle maintenance, including oil changes, lubrication and vehicle repairs
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other employees and the public using principles of good member service
  • Perform related duties as assigned, including on-call duty, emergency outages and after-hours work in all weather conditions
  • Learn how to climb proficiently
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE
  • Water and Electric Distribution systems – Knowledge of practices, methods, tools and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, repair and testing of electric and water distribution systems
  • Engineering/Design – Knowledge of and reading blueprints, schematics and other technical drawings (e.g. staking sheets, maps, etc.)
  • Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance
  • Mathematics – Knowledge of how to use arithmetic
  • Production and Processing – Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, etc. for maximizing the effectiveness of equipment and services
  • Transportation – Knowledge of principles and methods for moving things that are large, small, awkwardly shaped, heavy, light, bulky, etc.
  • Public Safety and Security – Knowledge of how to properly ensure the safety and security of the general public while performing work in or around water or electric distribution lines
  • Geography – Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations and topography
  • English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar
  • Law and Government — Knowledge of state/federal laws and codes related to electric and/or water distribution systems, especially those related to the environment; knowledge of related OSHA standards
  • Agency Specific (not required at time of hire) — Knowledge of GCEC’s policies and procedures, including GCEC’s safety manual. Understanding of the operations and maintenance of the water and electric distribution system at Tyndall Air Force Base.
REQUIRED SKILLS
  • Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting at inappropriate times
  • Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively
  • Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions
  • Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
  • Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents
  • Time Management — Managing one's own time
  • Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
  • Monitoring — Monitoring/assessing performance of yourself or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
  • Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
  • Operation Monitoring — Watching gauges, dials or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly
  • Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services or processes to evaluate quality or performance
  • Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people
  • Operation and Control — Controlling operations of equipment or systems
  • Management of Material Resources — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities and materials needed to do certain work
  • Troubleshooting — Determining and repairing operating errors in machines and electronics
  • Equipment Maintenance — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed
  • Equipment Selection — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job
  • Repairing — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools
  • Installation — Installing equipment, machines, wiring or programs to meet specifications
REQUIRED ABILITIES
  • Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense
  • Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
  • Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand
  • Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing
  • Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you
  • Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person
  • Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events)
  • Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand
  • Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways
  • Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations)
  • Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer)
  • Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance
  • Perceptual Speed — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position
  • Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material
  • Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted
  • Time Sharing — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch or other sources)
  • Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions
  • Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects
  • Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged
  • Multi-limb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Speed of Closure — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine and organize information into meaningful patterns
  • Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem
  • Auditory Attention — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds
  • Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm or your two hands to grasp, manipulate or assemble objects
  • Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply or divide quickly and correctly
  • Reaction Time — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears
  • Hearing Sensitivity — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness
  • Rate Control — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene
  • Visual Color Discrimination — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness
  • Depth Perception — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you or to judge the distance between you and an object
  • Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects
  • Trunk Strength — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing
  • Memorization — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures and procedures
  • Response Orientation — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot or other body part.
  • Stamina — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath
  • Dynamic Strength — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
  • Gross Body Coordination — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs and torso together when the whole body is in motion
  • Speed of Limb Movement — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs
  • Wrist-Finger Speed — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands and wrists
  • Extent Flexibility — The ability to bend, stretch, twist or reach with your body, arms and/or legs
  • Gross Body Equilibrium — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position
  • Sound Localization — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated
  • Spatial Orientation — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you
  • Glare Sensitivity — The ability to see objects in the presence of glare or bright lighting
  • Peripheral Vision — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead
  • Dynamic Flexibility — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist or reach out with your body, arms and/or legs
  • Explosive Strength — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting) or to throw an object                
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • MUST have excellent oral and written communication skills and legible handwriting
  • MUST have excellent organization and planning skills with minimum supervision
  • MUST have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to communicate with other members, vendors and co-workers in a respectful manner
  • MUST have the ability to keep accurate records and make decisions that may affect the company, members or co-workers
  • MUST take complete ownership of creating and meeting goals and time-sensitive deadlines
  • MUST have the ability to operate all office equipment, machinery and basic hand tools required in the job setting
  • MUST take responsibility for members’ safety and the safety of the general public and the properties (residential, commercial or federal) that GCEC services
  • MUST be willing to perform work that has a high consequence of error and could be potentially dangerous and/or life-threatening if not performed correctly
  • MUST have and maintain a flexible schedule and be able to rapidly respond to outages, water breaks at any hour of the day or night, weekends, holidays and in all weather conditions
  • MUST be able to work on independent, unstructured projects
  • MUST be able to work with a group or team
  • MUST be responsible for ensuring machines and equipment are operated in a safe, professional manner at all times
TOOLS/TECHNOLOGY USED
 
TOOLS
  • Computers
  • Cell phone
  • Vehicles – Bucket truck, pole truck, equipment truck, forklift, excavator, limb truck, scoop truck, boring rig, Ditch Witch, digger truck, vibrating plow, trencher, backhoe, semi-truck
  • Locator
  • Jib
  • Chain hoist, chains
  • Spike tools, pop tools
  • Hydraulic tools – ground rod driver, pole digger
  • Electric tools – wire crimpers, grinders, clamps, bolt cutters, hot cutters, etc.
  • Fiberglass tools – fiberglass extender stick
  • Power tools – chainsaw, buzz saw, jackhammer
  • Basic hand tools – allen wrench, hammer, screw driver, wrench, pliers, levels
  • Combustible tools – torches, welder’s torch
  • Ladder – 10-foot, 15-25 foot, mechanized ladder on bucket truck
  • Shovel
TECHNOLOGY                
  • ATS, GIS, FIS and CIS
  • Microsoft Office – Excel, Word, Outlook (E-mail)
SAFETY GEAR
  • Fire Retardant Uniform
  • Hard Hat
  • Safety Glasses
  • Gloves – leather and high voltage
  • Cones
  • Life Jacket
  • Harness
  • PPE
  • Dust Mask
  • Earplugs
  • Painter’s Mask
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Incumbent must be able to:Perform work exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable
  • Know when it is appropriate to use standard safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets and specialized safety equipment, such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, masks, etc.
  • Stand for long periods of time and/or sprint, run
  • Maintain composure while being exposed to the elements (change in weather condition, temperature fluctuations, etc.)
  • Perform activities such as kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling
  • Work in potentially awkward, precarious positions and confined spaces
  • Maintain composure and be able to effectively perform work in steep situations
  • Climb ladders, roofs/scaffolds or poles that are more than 10 ft. high
  • Readily lift more than 50 lbs.; know how to safely lift heavier objects
  • Have complete hand dexterity (must make repetitive hand movements, grasping, hand manipulations, pushing, pulling, fine manipulation)
  • Reach over the shoulder and bend below the shoulder level
  • Use feet to operate foot controls
  • Effectively work in situations that may cause permanent injury or death if not safely handled. Apprentice Line Technician I must be able to: work with and safely handle potentially dangerous materials that may cause electrocution or electric shock (e.g. any hot line work); work with and safely handle potentially dangerous materials that may cause burns or freezing of body parts (e.g. propane, hot engine/mechanical parts, high-voltage flashes, steam, flash fires, etc.); work with and be able to safely manage potentially dangerous wildlife and plants (e.g. bees, bats, raccoons, foxes, lizards, snakes, scorpions, alligators, fire ants, poison ivy, sticker bushes, etc.); work with and be able to negotiate and effectively manage conflicts with potentially dangerous members; work with and safely handle potentially dangerous chemical fumes [e.g. transformer oil (PCB), spray paint, chlorine, pipe glue, jet fuel, cable cleaner, etc.]; work with and safely handle potentially dangerous substances that may harm themselves or others (e.g. boring mud, fiberglass, arsenic/creosote, lead paint, asbestos, etc.)
  • Perform other heavy physical labor as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
 
Work will take place in the field where incumbent will be exposed to the elements, including inclement weather, hazardous situations and chemicals. Will work in situations that are extremely dangerous or life-threatening. Will work with potentially dangerous equipment/chemicals that could be extremely dangerous or life-threatening. Some inner office work is necessary and/or will take place at a computer terminal.

Applications will be accepted at The Workforce Center, 625 U. S. 231, Panama City, FL 32405. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 24, 2013.