TOWN OF WELLESLEY MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Title:                         Apprentice Lineworker           Date:             April 2026

Department:             Municipal Light Plant             Approved:     ________________________

Division:                    Line Operations

SALARY RANGE:                  $39.78 - $42.28 per hour

ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVES

The Apprentice Lineworker (formerly Lineman) works as part of a line crew to perform the efficient and safe construction, maintenance and repair of the overhead and underground electrical distribution system.

NATURE OF POSITION

Overseen by a five-member elected Municipal Light Plant (MLP) Board, the MLP provides reliable and efficient electric power to the residents and businesses of the Town.

Reporting to the Line Supervisor, the Apprentice Lineworker’s primary responsibility is to perform overhead and underground electrical distribution work in a progressively proficient manner, under the direction of a Crew Leader or 1st Class Lineman.  The incumbent’s work requires the ability to learn the operations of a variety of light and heavy equipment and vehicles, including specialized equipment used in electrical distribution system construction and maintenance. The incumbent also performs line construction, streetlight maintenance and emergency restoration work in Devens and other cities and towns as needed.

DIMENSIONS

The MLP operates and maintains 220 miles of underground and 120 miles of overhead lines that annually supply over 250 million kilowatt-hours of electric power to 10,000 business and residential customers.  The MLP’s infrastructure includes 5,500 poles and 1,300 transformers which vary in voltages from 110 to 13,800 volts.

The MLP’s Mission Statement places the highest priority on the safety of its employees and the public while providing reliable electric service to Wellesley businesses and residents.  The Apprentice Lineman’s role will support these Mission Statement Objectives by contributing to a positive team environment and by performing all job responsibilities in a safe and professional manner.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES TO ATTAIN ACCOUNTABILITY OBJECTIVES

1. Stocks truck with equipment and materials used by Linemen.
2. Digs holes for poles with shovel, scoop, and digging bar or operates Hydraulic Auger. Assists in raising and setting poles by winch or aerial device. Tamps dirt around bottom of pole.

1. Ties various tools and equipment and passes from ground to pole using rope, tackle or truck winch.

1. Operates line truck to move crew.

1. Operates bucket truck as required. This includes work in bucket truck to replace street light fixtures and lamps. Works on secondary wire to 600 volts with minimal supervision and up to 5,000 volts with the direct supervision of a Crew Leader or 1st Class Lineman from bucket truck as required. Also assists with fire alarm work.

1. Enrollment in Apprentice Lineman Training School is required. Is expected to learn to climb poles and work on poles from a safety harness.

1. Through training is ultimately expected to become 2nd Class Lineman.

1. Watches and warns traffic on job site.

1. Have and maintain a Massachusetts Class B Driver's License.

1. Must communicate with customers in a polite and courteous manner and function as a team player in cooperation with other employees of the Department.

1. Must be available for standby duty at specified times and in cases of emergency may be called in at any time.

1. Principally performs installation and maintenance work on overhead and underground distribution systems as directed.

1. Possesses thorough knowledge of the MLP employee rescue (“Code Blue”) procedures.

1. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Participation in the MLP’s cross-training program or participation in a similar program with another electric utility.
• Continued enrollment in the National Grid or NEPPA’s 1st Class Line Worker training program maintaining a passing grade.
• Progressively increasing knowledge of OSHA 1910.269 requirements.
• Progressively increasing knowledge of applicable National Electrical Safety Code and National Electric Code sections pertaining to electric utility work.
• Valid Class B Commercial Driver’s License with airbrake endorsement.
• Valid Massachusetts DPS Hoist Engineers License 1B.
• Progressively increasing knowledge of and ability to perform line work safely.
• Familiarity with substation equipment and operations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Motorized vehicles and equipment including a cable truck, aerial bucket truck, material handler, digger derrick, power winch, cable trailer and other equipment commonly used in line operations; hand and power tools; amp meter and voltmeter; and common office equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The incumbent is frequently required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear.  The incumbent is occasionally required to smell.

The incumbent must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent regularly works in outside weather conditions. The incumbent occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in confined spaces, and in high precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, traffic, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud in the field.