Lineworker

The Lineworker supports the reliability and safety of the City’s electric utility infrastructure by installing, maintaining, and repairing line equipment, meters, and streetlights, while ensuring uninterrupted service for residential and commercial customers. It plays a critical part in responding to outages and emergencies, preserving rights-of-way, and directing the work of apprentices to maintain operational excellence. Through technical expertise and teamwork, this position helps sustain essential services and advance the utility’s commitment to dependable power delivery.

The Lineworker works on all primary and secondary voltages.

• Provide hands-on training and mentorship to Helpers and Apprentices, promoting safe and proficient work practices in pole climbing, line construction, framing techniques, and transformer connections.
• Install, remove, inspect, repair, and maintain overhead and underground electrical lines and associated equipment to ensure reliable service delivery.
• Locate and mark underground utility lines to support safe excavation and construction activities.
• Perform switching operations on primary feeders and substation equipment to support system reliability and maintenance.
• Identify and troubleshoot line issues, including faulty transformers and service disruptions, ensuring timely and effective resolution.
• Connect residential and commercial electrical services, ensuring compliance with safety standards and service requirements.
• Support electric service restoration efforts, including:
  • Troubleshooting and resolving unplanned outages.
  • Participating in safe and timely power restoration.
  • Communicating with customers regarding outages, complaints, and potential hazards.
• Install substation breakers and connections, and lead substation switching operations as needed.
• Operate and maintain specialized equipment, including line trucks, aerial lifts, digger trucks, chipper trucks, and pulling equipment; perform routine vehicle maintenance and minor repairs.
• Generate and execute power transformer and substation switching orders, ensuring safe and accurate system operations.
• Oversee supplemental contract labor and construction teams, ensuring work is completed according to standards and timelines.
• Participate in on-call rotations or respond to after-hours needs as required to support continuous service availability.
• Perform other related duties as assigned, contributing to the overall reliability and effectiveness of utility operations, including all responsibilities associated, with Lineworker Helper and Apprentice I–IV roles.

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must have completed the SMTXU Apprentice program, or equivalent.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Texas Class (A) Commercial Driver’s License with a standard vehicle or obtain one within 90 days of employment, if from out of state.
• Must be able to lawfully report to duty within 1 hour.
• Must respond to calls for assistance with power outages on nights and weekends within one hour.
• Must live within one (1) hour of the City limits of San Marcos as determined by google maps.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of job orders, specifications, and workplace safety practices to ensure professional and productive performance.
• Skill in verbal and written communication, with the ability to clearly convey information and follow instructions.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with internal departments, external agencies, electrical contractors, and utility customers.
• Ability to work safely, efficiently, and collaboratively in a variety of operational environments.

CAREER TRAINING PROGRESSION
Successfully complete the following to be eligible for the next level.

1. Successful completion of recommended continuing education classes in leadership, supervisory, or technical related fields.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This position requires the ability to lift up to 100 pounds occasionally. Subject to vision and hearing constantly; standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, handling and balancing frequently; sitting, fine dexterity, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, climbing to heights over thirty- five (35) feet high, talking and foot controls occasionally; crawling rarely.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Working conditions can involves exposure to variable and/or extreme weather conditions, heavy equipment/vehicles, high/low voltage electrical currents, hazardous chemicals/materials, wildlife, working at heights or confined spaces.

This is a safety sensitive position. 

Salary : $39 - $48