Position Description

The position of Operations Foreman is one of high responsibility for the safety and training of
subordinates, and the safety and satisfaction of the public. An Operations Foreman must have
demonstrated leadership ability and thorough working knowledge of all aspects of safe line
construction, line maintenance, troubleshooting, and public relations. An Operations Foreman
has mastered the performance of all line positions necessary in connection with construction,
maintenance and repair of the BEC electric system, including the Essential Functions of a
Journeyman Lineman.

An Operations Foreman will train, coach and supervise, both directly and indirectly, all aspects
of routine and non-routine work performed on energized or non-energized powerlines. This
position will participate, when required, with the installation, retirement, maintenance,
troubleshooting, and repair of overhead and underground powerlines and powerline equipment.
An Operations Foreman will also participate, when required, in trimming, clearing, chipping,
and/or chemically treating trees and/or brush along the right-of-ways, ensuring accurate
completion of required forms, reports and other documentation. The Operations Foreman
ensures that work performed by subordinates is completed in a safe, professional manner and
sets an example for others of safe, productive work procedures.

Essential Functions of Position:

1. Position involves a combination of indoor and outdoor activities. Outdoor activities
include exposure to various weather conditions including heat, high humidity, cold,
wind, fog, rain, lightning, hail, sleet, snow, and ice for extended periods of time.
2. Must possess and maintain the ability to:
? Respond in a positive manner to supervision.
? Work as a cooperative member of a team.
? Interact in a professional and courteous manner with co-workers and
members.
? Successfully work within deadlines and time constraints.

3. Participates with the Operations Supervisor and Manager of Operations in the
formulation of objectives, procedures and plans.
4. Communicates to and obtains understanding and acceptance from subordinates
regarding these objectives, procedures and plans.
5. Serves as career coach/advisor to subordinates providing coaching and counselling to
personnel regarding special problems and performance of work. Provides necessary
guidance, assistance or instruction and gives proper credit for performance. Provides
leadership and creates the desire for development among subordinates and a sense of
teamwork on the crew. Continually assesses the skills and abilities of subordinates.
6. Plans and coordinates the work assigned to him so that it can be completed with
proper priority and in an orderly manner.
7. Enforces and models proper behavior and compliance with all applicable codes,
regulations, policies, and procedures.
8. Assigns and supervises subordinates as necessary to safely, accurately and
economically complete jobs. Continually assess the skills and abilities of
subordinates, ensuring that projects are completed by properly-trained personnel.
9. Directs the activities of the subordinates, making sure that all responsibilities,
authorities and relationships are understood and accepted.
10. Considers and reviews recommendations made by subordinates for new changes in
present procedure and, when appropriate, makes recommendations to the Operations
Supervisor and/or Manager of Operations.
11. Responds to, investigates and recommends actions for policy and procedure
violations, unsafe practices and any other action or behavior which may have a
negative impact upon the Cooperative.
12. Delegates appropriate authority and freedom of actions, but with recognition that he
cannot be relieved of his responsibility.
13. Communicates properly using two-way radios.
14. Correctly operates a laptop computer and the programs/systems used.
15. Keeps abreast of specifications regarding construction and maintenance and inspects
work of subordinates to insure that all specifications and codes are met.

16. Keeps informed of changes in the electrical system, including but not limited to
direction of line feeds, location, reclosing, and switching devices.
17. Provides close supervision, from a safety standpoint, when the job assigned involves
special hazards, including all hotline work.
18. Climbs energized poles to install, retire, or maintain transformers, services and other
miscellaneous equipment outside of the OSHA minimum approach distances
outlined in the APPA safety manual.
19. Performs routine and non-routine energized work from an aerial platform (bucket
truck) on energized lines including pole change-outs and conversions.
20. Possesses working knowledge of RUS specifications as to framing, pole hole depths,
anchor settings, tamping, and pole alignment. Possesses working knowledge of
specifications as to stringing, sagging and tying-in wire. Performs these duties in
accordance with specifications without supervision.
21. Possesses knowledge of ratings, settings and troubleshooting any line equipment,
including transformers, capacitors, regulators, and meters.
22. Possesses knowledge of survey and staking procedures for overhead and
underground power lines, taking into account voltage drops, electric and strain
loading, clearances, easements, impact on property owners, economic viability, and
reliability.
23. Is responsible for the accounting of materials used for a job.
24. Frames and grounds structures or equipment in accordance with RUS specifications.
25. Possesses knowledge of single and three-phase electric motors including voltage,
amperage, impact of imbalance, impact of locked rotor amperage, actual loading
compared to name plate rating, power factor, and interpretation of connection
diagrams.
26. Performs all routine and non-routine line work according to BEC policies and
procedures, safety regulations, RUS specifications, NEC, NESC, federal, state, and
local regulations and codes.
27. Makes decisions on job sites regarding changes in work assignments and advises the
Operations Supervisor of any adjustments made, if necessary.
28. Investigates member service complaints and takes necessary measures to correct
whatever trouble exists.

29. Makes every effort to serve all members courteously, efficiently and fairly and to
satisfy their complaints or inquiries, if possible. If unable to do so, refers them to the
proper persons.
30. Responsible for overseeing all vehicles, tools and equipment and to ensure that such
tools, equipment and vehicles are inspected, operated and maintained in proper
working order. Also ensures that such use, inspections, operation, and maintenance
complies with all BEC policies and procedures and recommends to Operations
Supervisor and/or Manager of Operations any major mechanical repairs which may
be necessary.
31. Understands and complies with all Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and
regulations, including Drug and Alcohol Testing.
32. Acquires, maintains and returns material, equipment and tools in accordance with
BEC policies and procedures, as well as BEC inventory control procedures.
33. Trims, clears, and applies herbicide in right-of-ways.
34. Accurately reads and interprets maps, circuit diagrams, map scales, and map legends
under any conditions.
35. Accurately and legibly completes all documentation (computerized timecards, handwritten Outage Reports, etc.) in accordance with BEC policies and procedures and
submits such documentation to the proper individuals for recordkeeping purposes.
36. Assists assigned personnel in the completion of necessary documentation checking
for accuracy before submitting to proper individuals for recordkeeping purposes.
37. Excuses subordinates from the job site for clear cause, such as disruptive or
dangerous behavior, until the incident is resolved with the Operations Supervisor
and/or Manager of Operations. Clearly communicates the circumstances of such
dismissal of personnel from the job site to the Operations Supervisor and/or Manager
of Operations.
38. Operates all coop equipment in accordance with BEC policies and procedures, safety
rules, manufacturer guidelines, and regulations and/or codes and seeks input from
Operations Supervisor and/or Manager of Operations when information is unclear,
inadequate or requires interpretation. This includes driving forward and backing
vehicles in excess of 25,000 pounds and pulling trailers appropriate for these
vehicles, as well as observing all applicable safe-driving laws.

39. Maintains proper amount of equipment, tools and incidentals on vehicles necessary
for the planned job and sees that tools are maintained in good working order.
40. Loads materials, weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance and in excess of 50
pounds with assistance, for the planned job.
41. Cleans up each job site so that it is in an appropriate condition for public safety and
member satisfaction.
42. Works overtime and/or on call duty after normal working hours, including evenings,
late nights, weekends, and holidays, as needed. Must be able to report for duty
within thirty (30) minutes of notification when on call.
Equipment Used:
Organizational vehicles, two-way radios, digger trucks, aerial platforms (bucket trucks),
chainsaws, forklifts, front-end loaders, hammers, channel locks, high-leverage wire cutters,
tamps, shovels, pliers, screwdrivers, fall arrest systems, and any other electric construction or
maintenance-related equipment.

Other Important Duties:

1. Maintains good working relations with co-workers, BEC members and the general
public.
2. Represents BEC by attending schools/seminars/meetings for improvement of job
knowledge and skills, when requested.
3. Continually explores new ideas to enhance job performance, efficiency, productivity,
and work relations. Communicates these ideas to the Operations Supervisor and/or
Manager of Operations.
4. Performs other duties as may be assigned by Operations Supervisor, Manager of
Operations or designee.

Experience, Training, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1.Must maintain professional knowledge of all issues relating to electrical linework.
2. Must maintain knowledge of Cooperative’s policies related to duties of the position.
3. Participates in BEC Safety Meetings.
4. Must successfully perform annual Pole Top and Bucket Truck Rescue Demonstrations.

5. Must maintain knowledge of CPR, AED and First Aid in order to use it, when necessary.
6. Ability to travel intra/inter-state, as necessary, for training purposes, meetings, or to
provide assistance to other electric cooperatives, as required.
7. Must pass a Department of Transportation or general physical, as required.
8. Must pass required and random OSHA/DOT drug tests.
9. Ability to move about and within an office building and on various terrain.
10. Ability to lift and/or move equipment and tools weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance and in excess of 50 pounds with assistance.
11.  Ability to frequently stand and/or walk, either on the ground, while working off of a pole in hooks, and/or in a bucket, and sit for extended periods of time.
12. Ability to perform manual and detailed hand work using both hands, sometimes repetitively, climb and balance, squat, stoop, crouch or kneel, push, and pull.
13. Ability to bend at neck, waist, legs, and arms, reach above shoulder-level, twist body, and change positions at will.
14. Ability to speak and hear clearly to communicate over loud background noise.
15. Ability to function successfully on little or no sleep for extended periods of time in extreme circumstances such as large power outages caused by storms, etc.
16. Vision ability that meets the minimum requirements to acquire and maintain a Texas CDL Driver’s license, with or without corrective lenses.
17. Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people and personalities. Requires a high degree of interpersonal skills.
18. Ability to be tactful and get along with diverse groups of people and personalities.  Capable of conveying a positive and professional image.
19. Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, even simultaneously, as well as
coordinate projects with other employees working to consistently meet deadlines and budgets.
20. Ability to listen to and read instructions and other paperwork.

21. Ability to use judgment and reasoning skills to perform the Essential Functions of the Position.
22. Ability to motivate, direct, supervise, train, and coach subordinates.

Education, Degrees, Certificates, and/or License Requirements:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.
2. Valid minimum Texas Commercial Class B Driver’s License (CDL) and an acceptable driving history. CDL must be maintained and this includes maintaining DOT physical with satisfactory results.
3. Must be eligible to be and remain insured as a driver by the Cooperative’s group liability policy for the automotive fleet.
4. American Red Cross or equivalent Certificate of Standard First Aid, CPR and AED
utilization.
5. Certificate of Pole Climbing Training or Certification of Pole Climbing Experience.
6. Certification of Pole Top Rescue and Bucket Truck Rescue Training.
7. Documentation of Lineman training and experience.
8. Documented completion of Forklift Training.
9. Documentation of passing grade on the BEC Journeyman Lineman Advancement Test or equivalent.
10. Minimum of six (6) years of line work experience (overhead and underground), of which the most recent twelve (12) months have been at a BEC Journeyman Lineman level, its equivalent, or above.

____________________________________________________________________________

About Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Bartlett Electric Cooperative has been in operation since 1936 and, we are proud to be the first REA project energized in Texas and the nation. Bartlett Electric Cooperative played an important role in the modernization of the rural farms served by the cooperative, and we continue to be dedicated to providing quality service at the most economical price. Our service area includes areas of Bell, Burleson, Lee, Milam and Williamson counties.

Connections working at Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc.