TRUCK DRIVER, GROUNDMAN

Dakota Electric Association

Truck Driver, Groundman

Farmington, MN 55024

General Summary

To operate and maintain a vehicle and other related equipment in a manner that will provide a safe and efficient operation.

Provide manpower and necessary skills, knowledge and workmanship as groundman for the construction and maintenance of the electric system.

To respond to all member outages so that service can be restored effectively and efficiently.

Responsibilities

Comply with established Dakota Electric Association safety and operating rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Be responsible for reporting any un-safe practices and / or hazards to a supervisor, manager or Vice President.

Visibly committed and actively involved in Dakota Electrics safety programs, initiatives and performance.

• Is responsible for the enforcement and observance of safety rules and should follow safe working practices and methods, as well as normal operating practices and procedures.
• Responsible to see that tools, equipment and truck stock are sufficient to complete assigned work. Accounts for all material, equipment, and tools issued to crew personnel.
• Reports needed maintenance and repair on the electrical / lighting system as observed
• Performs all necessary functions during emergencies and storm damage.
• Performs the operation, construction and maintenance work on DEA lines, substations and equipment as an equipment operator.
• May be required to work overtime or be called out 24 hours per day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
• Receives direction from the Crew Chief for daily assignments. Works closely with other crew members as an effective team.
• Attends safety meetings and seminars to enhance job knowledge.
• Performs all necessary functions as Equipment Operator / Groundman as a crew member.
• Regular and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position. Variations to the work schedule need to receive the supervisor's approval.
• Prepares a daily timesheet and other documents as required.
• Observes all traffic rules and regulations while operating company vehicles.
• May be required to attend training seminars in and out of Dakota Electric Association's headquarters and service territory.
• Perform related work as apparent or assigned.

Supervision / Direction of Others

None

Position Specifications

Educational Experience

High School education or equivalent required. Experience in driving large trucks and operating equipment required. Experience with another utility or line construction contractor desired.

Key Competencies

• Must be certified in CPR and first aid.
• Must have knowledge of DEA specifications, basic electricity and electric system operations.
• Must hold a current commercial drivers license (C.D.L.) and health card with applicable endorsements.
• Must have basic computer skills including but not limited to GIS, Go-Sync, Cityworks, and Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Must have the ability to follow directions and follow through accurately.
• Must have thorough knowledge of basic math and algebra.
• Must be able to use computerized maps to find correct addresses.
• Must have a thorough knowledge of the NESC and DEA specifications as they apply to our overhead and underground construction practices.
• Answers customer's inquiries effectively by providing accurate, meaningful, and courteous responses to questions, in a timely manner.
• Supports teamwork by providing effective participation, cooperation and communication.
• Must be innovative in order to creatively develop new solutions to problems. Seeks, recommends, develops, supports and encourages new ideas.
• May be required to work a night shift.
• Comply with established Dakota Electric Association safety and operating rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Be responsible for reporting any un-safe practices and or hazards to a supervisor.
• Visibly committed and actively involved in Dakota Electrics safety programs, initiatives and performance.
• Must have knowledge in construction and operation of overhead and underground lines, tools, trucks, and related equipment.

Working Conditions

• The employee will spend approximately eighty percent of their time outdoors exposed to the outdoor environment and occasionally severe weather.
• The employee may be exposed to chemicals and fumes such as paint from a spray can and exhaust from moving machinery at construction sites.
• In the winter, the employee is frequently walking through snow and ice along un-shoveled paths. In the summer, the employee is frequently walking through sand and muddy areas.

The employee is expected to have good walking ability and a good sense of balance.

• The employee is exposed to many types of moving machinery while working at construction sites, ditches, and road sites near moving traffic.
• The employee may be required to work in a stressful environment and potentially stressful situations while working on high voltage equipment, while working above ground, and other potentially dangerous situations.

The employee is required to be very alert due to working in a high risk environment where there is no room for error.

Physical Demands

Employee must hold a Commercial Drivers License. Employee required to operate vehicles that include but is not limited to :

a) Aerial lift

b) Trencher

c) Digger derricks

d) Cranes

e) Dump trucks

f) Forklift

g) Backhoe trucks

h) Cable plow

Employee uses a variety of hand tools, machines and special equipment that include but is not limited to :

a) Chain saw

b) Air hammer

c) Tree trimmer

d) Boring tools

e) Snowplow

f) Crimping tools

g) Hydraulic tools

h) Compressor

i) Torches

j) Portable generator

k) Shovel

l) Chipper

m) Variety of hand tools

n) Climbing hooks and belts

Lifting / Carrying :

a) On a frequent to continuous basis, employee is using a variety of hand tools throughout the day, weighing approximately 10 to 50 pounds.

On an occasional basis, up to one-third of the day, employee is lifting and carrying 10-50 pounds of cable equipment and tools.

The heaviest weight a worker is required to carry is conductor, weighing up to 50-100 pounds. This is lifted on an average of several times per week, usually with assistance of another employee.

Reaching :

a) For the majority of the day, the employee is reaching below shoulder height. The employee is working below shoulder height while performing maintenance work on substations and while operating a variety of equipment.

b) The employee is also working at shoulder height on an occasional basis, reach out to the side while performing line maintenance work.

c) On an occasional basis, the employee is also reaching above shoulder height while working from the pole, maintaining equipment and working with the conductor.

d) Employee may also be using and reaching from eight, ten and twelve foot ladders to check the connections on a house. This may be done on a daily basis.

Pushing / Pulling :

a) On a continuous basis, employee may be required to push, pull and lift while using a five foot shovel and while pulling cables which may be lying in a trench.

b) Most often this work is done independently, but occasionally is done with another employee. The cables weigh 2-3 pounds per foot and are in ten to twenty foot coils on large wheels.

c) The employee is also pushing and pulling while loading poles, and while using crimping tools and other various tools and equipment.

Climbing :

a) On an occasional basis, employee is required to climb out of trenches which may be four feet deep. During the summer months, this is done on a daily basis.

b) On an occasional basis, employee is also climbing an eight to twelve foot ladder to check the connection on a house or trim a tree.

This is also occasionally done from a pole. When required to climb a pole, employee is climbing an average of 4