Job Title: Right-Of-Way Trimmer/ Laborer

Pontotoc Electric Power Association

Job Description

Job Title: Right-of-Way Trimmer/ Laborer

Reports to:Right-of-Way Coordinators

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Hourly

DATE:March 12, 2018

Summary

Responsible for trimming and removal of trees, debris, and other items on Pontotoc Electric Power Association’s utility right-of-way while following safety guidelines to protect employees and the general public. The proper performance of this job will result in fewer vegetation and wildlife caused outages, reduce electrical line losses, improve the response time when outages do occur, provide for an improved line patrol to locate the cause of an outage, provide for a more aesthetically pleasing right-of-way, improve customer relations, and improve the safety of employees and the general public.

Duties and Responsibilities

Trims and/or removes trees safely through the use of a bucket truck and appropriate hydraulic and gasoline-powered saws
Trims and/or removes trees safely from the ground using gasoline and hand-powered saws, fiberglass extension pruners, and pole saws
Trims and/or removes trees safely by proper manual tree climbing and tree felling techniques
Lowers branches or trunk sections of trees to the ground using rope or block and tackle
Cuts branches into manageable pieces using a chainsaw or handsaw, and performs brush clean up and chipping by feeding branches and debris into chipper, and by manually sweeping, raking, and shoveling
Loads and unloads trucks with logs, brush, and debris
Repairs lawns, fences, driveways, and other items slightly damaged by tree trimming operations
Assists during storm trouble as needed, both on Pontotoc Electric’s power system and other electric systems through mutual aid agreements
Operates a variety of hand and power tools including shovel, ax, sling blade, bush ax, chain saw, pole saw, hand lines, block and tackle, and pruners to clear and maintain utility right-of-ways
Operates a variety of equipment including chippers, skid steer, bush hog attachment for skid steer, mini excavator, mulching mower attachment for mini excavator, bucket trucks, and dump trucks to clear and maintain utility right-of-ways
Directs traffic and relays hand signs for safety of the public coming into areas where right-of-way crew is working. Cooperates with customers, police, and fire departments when blocking streets and driveways
Sets up barriers, warning signs, flags, markers, traffic cones, etc., to protect employees and the public
Cleans, sharpens, and lubricates tools and equipment. Requests repair or replacement when necessary. Performs minor repairs of hand and power equipment
Performs tree trimming and clearance operations as needed during power restoration efforts during or after any major storm event
Seeks improvement in knowledge by attending seminars, training sessions, and college courses in subjects that will improve job performance
Continuously looks for and is observant of the location of water meters, water valves, telephone pedestal cabinets, gas valves, gas meters, gas pressure regulators, warning signs, highway right-of-way and property corner markers, and protects and guards against damage to these devices and markers
Conducts pre-job briefings as required by OSHA at the beginning of the work periods and again as changes in the job conditions might necessitate
Responds to and documents details concerning employee injuries, public injuries, vehicle accidents, and property damage claims, and provides an in-house report to employee’s supervisor, safety director, HR manager, or other member of management
Secures trucks, tools, and equipment to prevent theft and vandalism when parked in unattended job locations outside working hours
Acts as a contact person to address and resolve customer complaints in a manner to maintain goodwill with customers over tree trimming/cutting issues and tracks and ruts left by trucks and machinery
Acts responsibly to comply with the principles and practices of the Electric Cooperatives of Mississippi Safety Accreditation program
Attends monthly in-house safety meetings and other safety and classroom training provided by Pontotoc Electric
Completes mileage/gas tickets, and other required forms
Maintains ability to administer CPR and first aid
Maintains ability to perform bucket rescue
Wears hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, proper work attire, and other required safety equipment

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties requested by his or her supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Supervisory Controls

Incumbent is under supervision of the Right-of-Way Coordinators. Incumbent is expected to perform reoccurring assignments in accordance with established procedures and precedents. The supervisor determines work and sets priorities on new or non-routine work. Incumbent should seek approval when necessary and keep supervisor abreast of any unusual problems and status of activities. Incumbent should immediately keep supervisor informed of any requests or complaints from property owners about tree trimming issues that are sensitive to the property owner.

Job Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

High school or general education degree (GED) required; one to three years related experience is desired; or equivalent combination of education and experience. A knowledge of basic math skills and basic computer skills is desired.

Knowledge and Skills

Working knowledge of the electric utility industry, especially the various elements of a distribution system is desirable; knowledge of Pontotoc Electric’s systems; ability to identify system voltages; knowledge of Pontotoc Electric’s safety manual, CPR, basic first aid and related OSHA safety guidelines. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Strong organization, communication, and customer service skills to promote and maintain good customer and public relations.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, and use hands and arms to reach and pull. Employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Employee is required to read and comprehend written and verbal job instructions and information. Employee is required to stand, often for long periods of time. The employee is required to enter and exit a vehicle numerous times a day. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The incumbent is required to lift and move up to 50 pounds alone and occasionally over 100 pounds with a fellow worker. The incumbent is required to operate motor vehicles and other machinery. The employee must meet physical requirements of the DOT physical exam and submit to random drug and alcohol testing and reasonable suspicion testing as required by DOT regulations. The employee must not have any restrictions or warrants that would prevent him or her from driving a commercial vehicle outside the state of Mississippi, provided that the employee has reached the legal age to obtain an interstate commercial driver’s license.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. Incumbent will perform work on uneven terrain, at varying heights above ground, and in close proximity to energized power lines. Incumbent may be exposed to traffic hazards and falling limbs and debris. Work will be performed in all temperatures and weather conditions, and incumbent may be exposed to elements of nature including irritating plants, biting or stinging insects, biting dogs, or dust. Noise levels are usually loud. Work hours can be long and irregular, especially during power outages and emergency situations. Some overnight travel may be required, particularly when assisting other power systems with mutual aid agreements following storm trouble. May be subject to be called upon “as needed” for assistance with storm restoration work.

Certificate, License, Registration

Must have a valid Class B commercial driver’s license with air brake endorsement. Must complete in-house fork lift training and pass certification as soon as reasonably possible following initial employment.