Groundman – Dirt Crew

Cowlitz PUD is the local publicly owned power company for Cowlitz County.  We are looking for a Groundman to join our Dirt Crew. 

You are a great fit if:

• You are positive, a great communicator that wants to learn heavy equipment operation and line construction.
• Have a Class A CDL and experience in operating CDL vehicles.
• You have excellent listening skills and can pay close attention to details.
• Enjoy working in a fast-paced environment with ability to constantly be learning new things.
• Can maintain a high level of internal and external customer service and build rapport with other departments.

Cowlitz PUD as an employer offers:

• Monday through Thursday 4-10 schedule working 6:00 am to 4:30 pm
• Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, wellness program and an on-site gym.
• Collaborative work environment throughout the entire company.
• Community and Public Service opportunities in Cowlitz County.
• Opportunities for continued learning, career development and professional growth.

Our Strategic Plan:
Through our Strategic Planning process, Cowlitz PUD prioritized the following initiatives for the coming years in accordance with our mission and vision:

Resource Planning
Ensure an adequate and reliable power supply to meet the electric load requirements and      clean energy obligations of Cowlitz PUD and the community.
System Reliability and Security
Develop and manage Cowlitz PUD’s assets and planning tools to ensure a high level of electric reliability, physical and cyber security, and safety.
Business Efficiency
Implement business systems to achieve efficient use of Cowlitz PUD’s resources.
Engagement
Cowlitz PUD will communicate, educate, and engage with its employees, customers, and stakeholders to maintain positive relationships and prepare for future change.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
A Groundman is an entry-level union position in which the main function is to assist line workers with building, maintaining, and repairing the Districts electrical system. Other related duties may include but are not limited to AMI install, locating, meter reads and meter disconnects as assigned. Job assignments may entail very physical manual labor, digging, heavy lifting, equipment operating, Class A vehicle driving, working in rough terrain and inclement weather day or night. Groundman generally work under the supervision of a heavy equipment operator but still works in a hazardous trade so sound decision-making and good judgment is imperative.

This Groundman position will primarily work with our heavy equipment dirt crew and report directly to our Lead Heavy Equipment Operators. There will be limited work with the line crews or working with line construction.

 Click here to read full job description.

Experience, Working Conditions and Other Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License with A Class a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with no air brake restrictions.
• Must have or obtain within 45 days of employment tanker endorsement, certifying your legal ability to transport bulk quantities of liquids and gasses via truck.
• Demonstrated experience operating a PC, laptop, or tablet.
• Must adhere to the District’s residency requirements for response workers living within Cowlitz County or within 40 minutes of our Operations center.
• Must score satisfactory or above average with District and non-District evaluations.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Successful completion of an accredited line school.

Work Environment:

• The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Work is performed mainly outside in all weather conditions.
• Working schedule is Monday to Thursday 6:00 am to 4:30 pm. Remote work is not available for this position.
• Performs work in compliance with the District Union Contract Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and WAC 45.
• Work will be performed in the field with need to wear proper personal protection equipment (PPE) and perform work adhering to all safety standards.
• Must be capable of heavy manual labor for extended periods of time, day, or night, in all weather conditions.
• Must work evenings, weekends, and holidays and overtime for emergency outage situations.

Hiring Process:

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered:

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses.
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job       responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Offers of employment are contingent on verification of information provided by the applicant as part of the application process, including potential background check, pre-placement physical exam, and full driver's abstract.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

This position is considered a safety sensitive position at Cowlitz PUD under RCW 49.44 and is subject to pre-employment drug screening including Cannabis screening.