Locations

Below are the duty locations where positions may be filled under this announcement:

• Brackettville, TX
• Fort Stockton, TX
• El Paso, TX
• Alpine, Tx
• Carrizo Springs

• Construct, maintain, repair, and operate overhead and underground electric distribution and transmission lines, equipment, and related facilities in accordance with Cooperative standards.
• Work on energized and de-energized lines and equipment using approved rubber gloving, hot stick, grounding, cover-up, and other required safety practices.
• Install, remove, maintain, and inspect poles, crossarms, conductors, transformers, regulators, capacitors, reclosers, cutouts, anchors, guys, services, meters, and associated equipment.
• Operate line construction equipment and vehicles, including bucket trucks, digger derricks, trenchers, winches, trailers, and other specialized tools and equipment.
• Read and interpret staking sheets, system maps, work orders, construction drawings, specifications, and material assemblies.
• Perform switching, sectionalizing, line testing, phasing, load checks, voltage checks, and troubleshooting as authorized and directed.
• Respond to outages, emergencies, and storm restoration assignments, including stand-by/on-call duty, extended hours, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Patrol assigned lines and facilities to identify hazards, damaged equipment, right-of-way concerns, maintenance needs, and conditions affecting service reliability.
• Assist with locating underground facilities and perform underground construction, maintenance, and fault repair as required.
• Maintain accurate records, including material usage, work orders, inspection forms, outage information, vehicle inspections, and other required documentation.
• Maintain tools, vehicles, personal protective equipment, and assigned materials in safe and serviceable condition; report deficiencies promptly.
• Participate in job briefings, tailboard meetings, safety meetings, training programs, pole-top rescue, bucket rescue, and other required safety activities.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and on-the-job training to apprentice linemen, groundmen, and less experienced crew members as assigned.
• Promote positive member relations by responding professionally and courteously when work activities affect members, contractors, landowners, or the public.
• Coordinate work activities with dispatch, engineering, operations, warehouse, right-of-way, contractors, and other departments as needed.
• Maintain confidential information and perform other duties as assigned.
• Must learn and practice Cooperative’s safety rules and procedures.

• Successful completion of an approved lineman apprenticeship program or equivalent journeyman-level lineworker training and experience is required.
• Journeyman Lineman certification or documented equivalent experience in electric utility line construction, maintenance, and operations is required.
• Thorough knowledge of overhead and underground electric distribution construction, maintenance, troubleshooting, and service restoration practices.
• Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code, OSHA requirements, RUS specifications, Cooperative Safety Manual, and other applicable standards and regulations.
• Ability to safely climb poles and structures, work from aerial devices, use approved fall protection, and perform pole-top and bucket rescue.
• Ability to safely work on or near energized conductors and equipment using approved tools, equipment, and protective methods.
• Ability to read and apply system maps, staking sheets, construction specifications, work orders, operating procedures, and switching instructions.
• Ability to operate line construction vehicles, equipment, tools, testing equipment, and technology used in utility field operations.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Class “A” Interstate Commercial Driver’s License.
• Insurable with the Cooperative’s auto insurance carrier.
• Must be or become certified in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation/AED.
• Must demonstrate the ability to work safely, follow instructions, use sound judgment, and comply with Cooperative safety rules and procedures.
• Possess good oral and written communication skills in the English language and the ability to communicate technical information effectively.
• Proficient in computer literacy and internet knowledge.
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain a harmonious working relationship with Cooperative employees, members, contractors, suppliers, and the public.
• Must make and maintain bona fide residential abode within the surrounding area of assigned office, as required by the Cooperative. (Housing options may be available.)

• Comply with all Cooperative safety rules, standard operating procedures, the Cooperative Safety Manual, OSHA requirements, National Electrical Safety Code standards, applicable federal and state regulations, and established safe work practices.
• Comply with all equipment-use requirements, including applicable weight restrictions and other operating limitations.
• Participate in and follow documented job briefings, tailboard meetings, hazard assessments, and work plans before beginning each job or when job conditions change.
• Use required personal protective equipment and insulating protective equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, flame-resistant clothing, rubber gloves and sleeves, leather protectors, fall protection, line hoses, blankets, hoods, and hot sticks as required by the task.
• Maintain proper minimum approach distances and use approved cover-up, grounding, switching, lockout/tagout, and clearance procedures when working on or near energized or potentially energized conductors and equipment.
• Inspect tools, vehicles, aerial devices, rubber goods, fall protection, grounds, live-line tools, and other safety equipment before use and remove defective or damaged equipment from service immediately.
• Follow approved procedures for de-energizing, testing, grounding, tagging, and restoring lines and equipment in coordination with dispatch, supervision, and other authorized personnel.
• Maintain current training and certifications required for the position, including first aid, CPR, pole-top rescue, bucket rescue, defensive driving, CDL requirements, and any other Cooperative-required safety training.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, near misses, injuries, equipment failures, vehicle incidents, public hazards, and safety concerns to the appropriate supervisor or designated personnel.

• Exercise stand-down when work cannot be performed safely or when conditions present an immediate risk to employees, members, contractors, or the public.
• Primarily outdoor field work with occasional indoor office or warehouse work required.
• Exposure to energized electrical equipment, traffic, uneven terrain, animals, insects, confined spaces, heights, noise, and moving equipment.
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, lightning, high winds, and storm conditions.
• Subject to irregular hours, stand-by/on-call duty, emergency response, extended workdays, weekends, holidays, and overnight travel as required.
• To ensure all employees are provided with drug-free and alcohol-free working conditions, pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable cause, and random drug and alcohol tests are conducted on all employees.

• Required to pass a physical examination when employed and maintain the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Requires frequent standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, pulling, pushing, lifting, carrying, and working from heights, including lifting and carrying materials and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds, with assistance or approved material-handling equipment when required.
• Requires the ability to climb poles and structures, work from bucket trucks and aerial devices, and use personal protective equipment and fall protection.
• Requires the ability to lift, carry, and maneuver tools, materials, and equipment commonly used in line construction and maintenance.
• Requires visual acuity, hearing, coordination, strength, stamina, and manual dexterity sufficient to safely perform line work around energized facilities and moving equipment.

• n/a
• May provide work direction, guidance, and training to apprentice linemen, groundmen, and other crew members as assigned.

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Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc. (RGEC) was organized in 1945 to enhance the quality of life for rural residents by providing electric service where none existed. Today, at over 35,000 square miles, RGEC has the largest service territory of any electric cooperative in the contiguous United States, serving 18 counties in Texas, and two counties in New Mexico. While it still serves rural areas, many metropolitan areas have expanded into RGEC’s territory, which now includes hospitals, schools, and urban housing developments.

The Cooperative was also selected by the military to be the electrical maintenance provider for Fort Bliss, El Paso, and Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio. RGEC maintains offices in Alpine, Brackettville, Carrizo Springs, Dell City, El Paso, and Fort Stockton, with the Brackettville office serving as corporate headquarters.

Mission

RGEC is committed to providing its members safe and reliable energy services through the efficient use of resources, highly skilled employees, and technology.

Motto

Empowering communities, enhancing lives.

Values & Vision

RGEC proudly serves members based on a foundation of integrity and excellence, while striving for the betterment of communities and quality of life for those in the region it is privileged to serve.

Seven Cooperative Principles

Voluntary and Open Membership | Democratic Member Control | Members’ Economic Participation

Autonomy and Independence | Education, Training and Information | Cooperation Among Cooperatives | Concern for Community

Rio Grande Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an equal opportunity provider and employer.