The role of the Overhead Linesperson

Working in a team environment, Overhead Linespeople are responsible for the installation, repair, maintenance and patrolling of the overhead lines and cables that carry electricity to domestic, commercial and industrial premises.
Safety
As a Linesperson, you will be expected to follow established work safety practices, while controlling environmental impacts and complying with legislative responsibilities. Identifying and eliminating hazards and potentially dangerous situations will be everyday tasks.
Key accountabilities
The construction and maintenance of wood, concrete and steel structure distribution lines up to 33Kv;
The restoration of supply after failure of distribution lines and equipment;
The undertaking of risk assessments.
Measures of success
-Compliance with relevant standards and procedures;
-Adherence to deadlines;
-The safety of people and plant;
-Security, reliability, quality and restoration of supply within departmental targets;
-Minimisation of customer outage time;
-Compliance with requirements of the Safety Assurance System as measured by the Safety Performance Index.
Standard duties
As a Linesperson, you will install earth stakes, wood, concrete and steel structures and guy wires; using hand and power tools and equipment such as elevated work platforms, hole and trench diggers and self loading vehicles.

You will also install and service aerial equipment such as conductors, cross arms, insulators, street lights and customer supply points, transformers, pole mounted circuit breakers and switches.
Other duties will include:
Constructing, maintaining and repairing overhead distribution lines
Undertaking risk assessments before all construction, maintenance and repair work
Performing emergency repairs on overhead distribution lines including isolating the live mains
Checking that conductors are correctly connected between the mains and customers premises when installing and carrying out repairs
Carrying out regrowth maintenance as required
Maintaining all relevant competencies including pole top resuscitation and rescue
Assuming responsibility for the security and maintenance of tools, plant and vehicles
Job dimensions and relationships
In this position you’ll work under limited supervision either individually or in a team environment, reporting to the Overhead Distribution Resource Co-ordinator. The responsibilities of the Linesperson include:
Organising the requirements of the work assigned by the Overhead Distribution Resource Co-ordinator
Recommending solutions to problems and contributing to the achievement of team objectives
Assessing the work environment and applying the correct techniques dependent on the situation
You’ll follow documented work procedures, manuals and Standard Work Practices. However you will be expected to make individual decisions about various aspects of unstructured tasks.
Linespeople liaise with individual customers when performing daily tasks and are expected to attend and participate in team briefing sessions and performance reviews.
Special requirements and working conditions
In carrying out your work, you can expect:
Exposure up to 33Kv in an overhead lines environment
Exposure to hazardous chemicals and noise
The need to scale towers and poles, and perform work at heights, beside roadways and in hot conditions
To work ‘live’ within statutory guidelines
The need to participate in an after hours standby roster
Education and certification requirements
-Formal trade qualifications are a distinct advantage;
-Certificate of Competency as an Overhead Linesperson and/or Electrical Fitter Mechanic;
-Driver Licence;
-Elevated Work Platform Certificate / Licence;
-Crane Operator or GP Operator Ticket (desirable);
-Fork Truck Operator Licence (desirable).
Specialised job knowledge and demonstrated ability
As an Linesperson, you will be expected to demonstrate:
Ability in the construction and maintenance of distribution line activities at 33Kv;
Commitment to improvements in safety and environmental performance and legal compliance;
Ability to operate a hand held data recorder and computer to download and query a database application;
Knowledge and ability in the application of water control methods for erosion control and herbicide for tree growth control on easements.
Critical Competencies
-COMMUNICATION SKILLS
You should be able to be understood by and gain acceptance and support from team members and those you liaise with.
-SAFETY
You will need to promote and maintain safe practices on the job; following safety rules, and identifying and eliminating hazards and potentially dangerous situations.
-TEAMWORK
Your actions should foster team spirit and build and maintain cooperative and productive relationships.
-INITIATIVE
We’ll expect you to independently and appropriately respond to problems and opportunities as they arise.
JOB COMPETENCE
You will be expected to have the knowledge and demonstrate the skills to perform maintenance and construction tasks.
-DEPENDABILITY
You will need to be able to meet deadlines, schedules and time commitments in completing tasks.