Utility Line Worker

King County   Auburn, WA   Full-time
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Summary

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Job Summary

This position performs journey-level skilled work for the Power Distribution unit of Metro Transit's Power & Facilities section. Utility Line Workers assist in the construction and maintenance of the trolley overhead and underground systems. The electrical system is energized during construction and maintenance activities. This position may be required to lead others within the same trade, material workers, and/or helpers on a temporary basis for specific projects or job assignments.


Safety Sensitive Position

This position is considered safety sensitive. Applicants for positions defined as safety sensitive are required to undergo drug testing prior to employment, and subsequent to commencement of employment, will be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing in compliance with Federal DOT alcohol and controlled substances testing program protocols.

Job Duties

Applying equity and social justice principles is a daily responsibility and a foundational expectation for all King County employees. In this role you will apply equity and social justice principles that exemplify shared values, behaviors, and practices to all aspects of the work. As a Utility Line Worker, you will:


  • Install, maintain, and repair intersection tracks, directional, power and induction switches, sectional circuit breakers, crossovers and other overhead trolley equipment
  • Set and guy all types of poles; assemble and fasten cross-arms, brackets, mast arms and related hardware
  • String wires and cables for electrical power distribution systems and transit power circuits or control circuits
  • Install and maintain overhead trolley lines, and underground distribution; test, troubleshoot and repair defective circuits
  • Splice wire and cable and install conductors in conduit or overhead wiring
  • Trim trees in close proximity to overhead lines
  • Perform inspection, maintenance and service on the rails, and switch gear
  • Adhere to safety standards
  • Read and follow blueprints and other design plans
  • Respond to emergency repair calls during non-working hours as necessary
  • Perform the duties of a Line Worker/Cable Splicer as needed
  • Perform other related work as assigned by the supervisor

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

This position requires completion of a recognized Line Worker apprenticeship program (Certificate of Completion is required) and two years of work experience as a journey-level Line Worker.

 

Additional Qualifications Include:

  • Capable of leading, by example, multi-disciplinary teams with various skills and abilities
  • Demonstrated ability to perform work at the journey level with minimal supervision
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a culturally diverse team environment
  • Experience demonstrating inclusive and equitable behavior
  • Ability to demonstrate sound judgment and logical problem-solving skills
  • Ability to remain calm and maintain professionalism in stressful situations
  • Ability to work safely while performing the duties of the position
  • Skill in operating associated types of power tools, machinery and equipment
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well in a public environment
  • Demonstrated ability to read, write and follow verbal instructions
  • Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable and time attendance

Necessary Special Requirements:

A valid Washington State driver license and acceptable driving record. Out of state applicants must obtain their Washington State license by hire date.

Supplemental Information

Who May Apply

This position is open to the general public and all King County employees.


Application and Selection Process

An online employment application and completion of the supplemental questionnaire is required. Your completed application must show all jobs in the last 10 years if you have 10 years of employment. (If you have less than ten years of employment history, list information for all years you have.) It is highly recommended that you also include an entry for every relevant job you have had before then, with correct dates and complete description of duties and reasons for leaving. In addition, a Certificate of Completion of the recognized Line Worker apprenticeship program must be attached.


Please note: The "duties" section in the Work Experience area of the application is free text and should be used to detail how you specifically meet the experience we are seeking. You should list all information you feel is important for the team reviewing your application to take into consideration. You may also leave nontransferable skills off your previous duties. For example, if you worked as a cook in the last ten years you would list that employment, but you don't need to list job duties that aren’t applicable, such as, "cooked food to order". You should, however, list any transferrable skills that the job taught you, such as specific teamwork skills. Finally, you should always list detailed information. As an example, rather than listing, "Able to use a variety of specialized electronic test equipment", you should list, in detail, the actual equipment and how you used it.
 
Applicants will be screened for completeness and competitiveness. The most competitive candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process.


Vacancy Information

This recruitment will be used to fill one career service (permanent) and one term-limited temporary (TLT) position. As with the career service position, the TLT position will have full benefits. TLT hiring is common to King County, and Transit specifically.

 

Although it's not guaranteed, the experience gained while employed in a TLT position may better qualify a candidate to fill a future Career Service position. Metro invests heavily in new employees and it is to our advantage to convert eligible and successful TLT employees to career service, where possible. Any future career service position openings will be filled through a competitive hiring process.

 

Applications received may be used to establish a list or pool of eligible candidates to fill future TLT vacancies in the same classification that might occur over the following 12 months at the discretion of the hiring authority.


Work Schedule
This is an FLSA non-exempt position, and is therefore eligible for overtime pay. The Utility Line Worker must be available to work day, swing or graveyard shifts. The operation runs seven (7) days a week and shifts are five (5) days on with two (2) consecutive days off. Shift selection is a pick system based on an employee's seniority. The pick occurs once a year. There is a high likelihood that the selected candidate will initially work a regular graveyard shift after training is completed.


Employees are required to work overtime call-outs for emergencies as necessary. In addition, Utility Line Workers must be willing and able to respond to emergency repair calls during non-working hours as needed. Management reserves the right to assign any shift in order to meet the needs of the work unit.

Physical and Work Environment
Required to climb poles and work from elevated equipment. The Line Worker is frequently required to lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds in an elevated position. Work is performed outside in all weather conditions in an elevated position and requires exposure to traffic and high voltage wires. All employees are required to wear Arc Flash protection during all working hours.

Union Representation
This position is represented by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 77.

 

Classification Code

8208100

 

For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact:
Robin St. James (she/her)
Human Resources Talent Advisor
Robin.StJames@kingcounty.gov
 
Forbes recently named King County a one of Washington State's best employers.


Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.


Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles- we are one team; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.


King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

 

To Apply
 If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application process, or if you have questions please contact: Robin St. James, Robin.StJames@kingcounty.gov.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being.  Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
  • Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
  • Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
  • Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
  • 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
  • Generous vacation and paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Wellness programs
  • Onsite gyms and activity centers
  • Employee giving program
  • Employee assistance programs
  • Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
  • Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits please visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy.  If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.  Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
 
NOTE:  Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
 
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.

01
Are you applying to this position as a Priority Placement Program Participant AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
  • Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County AND I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. AND The position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
  • No.
02
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice, 2. The department you worked in, 3. The effective date of your layoff.
03
How many years of experience do you have as a journey level Line Worker?
  • No experience, but willing to learn
  • Less than two years
  • Two years but less than three
  • Three years but less than four
  • Four or more years
04
Have you completed a recognized line worker apprenticeship program?
  • No, I haven't completed a line worker apprenticeship.
  • Yes, I have completed a line worker apprenticeship program and attached the Certification of Completion.
05
What does your professional experience include? Check all that apply.
  • Set all types of poles; assemble and fasten cross-arms, brackets, mast arms and related hardware.
  • String wires and cables for electrical power distribution systems and transit power circuits or control circuits.
  • Install and maintain overhead trolley lines and underground distribution.
  • Splice wire and cable and install conductors in conduit or overhead wiring.
  • Trim trees in close proximity to energized overhead lines.
  • Install, maintain and repair intersection tracks.
  • Other related experience.
  • None of the above.
06
If you checked 'other related experience' above, please list the experience and how it relates to this position. (If you didn't check that box, answer "N/A".)
07
Are you willing and able to adhere to the working conditions listed below? Please check all that apply.
  • Work in inclement weather.
  • Exposure to traffic and high voltage wires.
  • Wear Arc Flash protection at all times during working hours.
  • Climb poles and work from elevated equipment.
  • Lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds in an elevated position.
  • I am not willing to work under all of the conditions listed above.
08
In addition to being considered for regular career service positions, are you interested in being considered for fully-benefited long-term temporary positions?
  • Yes
  • No
09
Are you willing and able to work any shift assigned on any day it is assigned? Shifts include day, swing or graveyard. All shifts are staffed seven days a week.
  • Yes
  • No
10
Are you willing and able to respond to emergency repair calls during non-working hours as needed?
  • Yes
  • No
11
Have you tested positive, or refused to test, on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which you applied for, but did not get hired, safety-sensitive transportation work covered by the DOT drug and alcohol testing rules during the past two years?
  • Yes
  • No
12
If so, for which employer and when? (If not, please answer "N/A".)
13
Do you currently possess a valid driver license?
  • Yes
  • No
14
Have you had a license in another state besides Washington in the last five years?
  • Yes
  • No
15
If you indicated above that you have had a license in a state other than Washington in the last five years, list the state(s) and the years you had the license(s). (If not, please answer "N/A".)
16
In the last five years, has your license been revoked or suspended?
  • Yes
  • No
17
If your license has been suspended in the last five years, please indicate how many times it has been suspended, regardless of reason.
  • Once
  • More than once
  • My license has not been suspended in the last five years
18
If your license has been suspended in the last five years, please indicate the reason below. Check all that apply.
  • Moving violation
  • Unpaid parking ticket(s)
  • Unpaid traffic ticket(s)
  • Child support enforcement
  • I have not had my license suspended in the last five years
19
Do you have any of the following violations on your driving record in the last five years? Select all that apply. (Your full five-year driving abstract will be evaluated as a part of this recruitment.)
  • Reckless or negligent driving
  • DWI/DUI - driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Hit and run accident violation
  • Vehicular homicide or vehicular assault
  • Open container citation
  • More than one at-fault accident
  • None of the above
20
How many accidents have you had in the last five years?
  • I have had one accident in the last five years.
  • I have had two or more accidents in the last five years.
  • I have not had any accidents in the last five years.
21
List all accidents you have had in the last five years in which you were at fault, including employment related accidents. Include: Month/Year of accident, brief description and approximate dollar damage, whether or not there were injuries, and any citations issued to you. (If no at-fault accidents, please answer "N/A".)

Required Question

This job is no longer available.

King County

Auburn, WA