A. Position: Equipment Operator

B. Position Function:1. To build, maintain and repair overhead and underground power distribution and
transmission lines within the scope of his/her training and certification in a safe
and efficient manner within accepted operation standards, approved policies and
procedures.

C. Reporting Relationships:
1. Reports to: Line Superintendent, Line Foreman, Working Foreman and
Journeyman Lineman, respectively.

D. Duties and responsibilities:
1. Use Groundman/Equipment Operator-level knowledge of electrical line work
to safely construct and maintain electric transmission and distribution lines.
2. Must have general and specific knowledge of equipment and operate equipment
in order to construct and maintain electrical systems, both cold and energized
(hot) lines.
3. Drive, operate and maintain truck assigned.
4. Inspects existing power lines looking for problems, trouble shoots problems
and retires old power lines as required.
5. Responds to power outages, customer problems and trouble shoots to restore
power in a timely manner.
6. Directs, guides and trains personnel in lower level apprenticeship programs or
equivalent. All training shall contain emphasis on safe working practices.
7. Maintains current knowledge of equipment, RUS specifications, OSHA
regulations, mapping system, Cooperative policies and other operational and
regulatory systems related to the responsibilities of the position.
8. Inspects truck and trailer for proper and safe loading and binding prior to
driving or operating.
9. Promotes electric use by taking every opportunity to acquaint members with
the productive uses of electricity, obtaining increased member and public
understanding of the Cooperative’s objectives, plans and programs and of rural
electrification in general.
10. Serves on-call per CVEC policies and assists in restoring electric service
while on-call.
11. Assist line and service crews as required.
12. Installs and disconnects meters and reads and records data as required.
13. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be all inclusive and may be
expanded to include other duties that Management or Staff deems necessary.

E. Other Information:
1. The Groundman/Equipment Operator is responsible for insuring the continuous
performance and reliability of the Cooperative’s distribution lines. Within the
parameters dictated by managers, foremen, journeymen linemen, Cooperative
Policy and applicable RUS, OSHA, DOT, and other regulatory requirements, this
position has limited autonomy and latitude to identify and solve problems and
make decisions necessary to manage the operation of the electric distribution
system dependent on training, experience and certification.
2. Line Department-This department is responsible for the physical equipment
and plant involved in safely and efficiently distributing electricity to each
member/consumer. This includes construction and maintenance of electric
distribution equipment and facilities, resolving emergency/hazardous conditions,
resolving consumer trouble calls and developing system upgrades for the system.
There are also contacts with the power supplier, consulting engineers and other
people involved in the utility business.

F. Internal Relationships:
1. Line Superintendent, Line Foreman, Working Foreman and Journeyman
Linemen, respectively-Works under the authority and guidance of the above
personnel. Requests and accepts advice and assistance and confers in operational
and personnel problems. Provides advice, assistance and information on
employee development, work planning and other areas or special projects as
assigned. Coordinates with the above personnel on CVEC’s electrical
requirements, exchanges information and job experiences that would be mutually
beneficial to each functional area within the Cooperative.
a. Servicemen-Works with the servicemen as needed and directed.
b. Groundman- Directs and guides the training of lower level ground man.
c. Other employees-Maintains harmonious, courteous and understanding
relationships, while fostering a collaborative teamwork environment
2. Reporting Relationships
a. Although the Groundman/Equipment Operator may delegate portions of
his/her responsibilities, no portion of accountability for results may be
delegated or relinquished. In addition to direct supervisory authority of
this position, the Groundman may retain functional authority over specific
projects or areas of responsibility as specified in this position description
or otherwise delegated by the Line Superintendent.

G. External Relationships:
1. Members- Provides helpful, courteous assistance and service.
2. General Public- Presents a friendly, courteous image for the Cooperative.
3. Power Companies and Other Cooperatives- Exchanges information that would
be mutually beneficial and helpful in maintaining good working relationships.
4. Legal and Regulatory Agencies- Maintains professional relationship with
agencies and organizations involved in safety and other applicable regulations.

H. Position Requirements:
1. Skills and knowledge normally acquired through a high school diploma.
2. Must possess knowledge of RUS line specifications, National Electric Safety
Code, OSHA Rules and Regulations and cooperative policies and procedures.
3. Must possess basic technical utility knowledge, skills and abilities to set poles,
operate heavy equipment and use tools and machinery.
4. Must be able to effectively read and follow operations and safety manuals.
5. Must be able to follow directions and work with journeymen, servicemen,
apprentice linemen and warehouse personnel as assigned.
6. Must be able to communicate with other journeymen, apprentice linemen, and
line foreman and others to solve problems as required.
7. Must be able to attend work on a regular and predictable basis. Work is
regularly scheduled Monday through Friday and must be available to respond
after normal working hours and on weekends.
9. Must be able to perform the essential functions and elements of this position
competently following an initial orientation period.
10. Must possess good judgment skills as the work may be varied with problems
that are difficult and methods and procedures that are defined.
11. Must be a team player.
12. Must possess a high level of integrity.
13. Must be honest and trustworthy.
14. Must be courteous and friendly and able to work well within diverse groups of
people.
15. Must be able to gain and maintain the respect of others, both inside and
outside the Cooperative.
17. Must be able to operate and use heavy equipment, power and hand tools in
field operations. This will include (but is not limited to) hydraulic tamps, power
line conductors, secondary wires and volt/ohm meters.
20. Must be able to travel through out the service area. Other travel outside the
service area may be assigned.
21. Must possess a valid New Mexico driver’s license, and have the ability to
obtain a Commercial Driver’s License as required. Must be eligible to be and
remain insured as a driver by the Cooperative’s group liability policy for the
automotive fleet.

I. Physical Demands:
1. Good physical condition and dexterity is required. This includes walking,
stooping, bending, climbing, kneeling, crawling, pushing, pulling, working in
awkward positions and enclosed spaces. Lifting up to 75 lbs. is frequently
required, with occasional lifting in excess of 75 lbs. Climbing, kneeling, reaching,
stooping, crawling, pushing and working in awkward positions and enclosed
spaces is normal.
2. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately and possess good hearing
as needed for work and safety compliance in a hot line environment.
3. Must possess visual color perception in order to differentiate wire and part
colors.
4. Must be able to work mostly outside in close proximity to hot line construction
and maintenance of energized conductors in varying weather conditions
5. Must be able to work safely due to exposure to the hazards of electrical shocks
and burns.

About Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Central Valley Electric Cooperative is a rural electric distribution cooperative located in Artesia, New Mexico, United States. Incepted in 1937, we serve over 4,000 consumers, over 15,000 meters and over 4,200 miles of line in rural southeastern New Mexico.

Connections working at Central Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc.