Posted: 18-Sep-24
Location: Bartlett, Texas
Type: Full Time
Required Education:
Additional Information:
Position Description
Position: Broadband Plant Foreman
| Department: | BEC Communications |
| Reports Directly to: Broadband Plant Supervisor | |
| Directs: FLSA Status: Position Summary: | Broadband Apprentice Plant Technicians, Broadband Plant Technicians or Assigned Personnel, as directed Non-Exempt |
The position of Broadband Plant Foreman is one of high responsibility for the safety and
training of subordinates, and the safety and satisfaction of the public. The Broadband Plant
Foreman must have demonstrated leadership ability, must have a working knowledge of all
BEC Communications’ fiber optic lines and the ability to coordinate with necessary personnel.
This position requires knowledge of fiber optic construction, splicing and a thorough working
knowledge of all aspects of safe line construction, line maintenance, troubleshooting, and public
relations. A Broadband Plant Foreman has mastered the performance of line positions
necessary in connection with construction, maintenance, and repair of the BEC
Communications’ system.
A Broadband Plant Foreman will train, coach, and supervise, both directly and indirectly, all
aspects of routine and non-routine work performed on fiber optic plant. This position will
participate, when required, with the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of
overhead and underground fiber optics and communications equipment, and have knowledge
and experience of these tasks on overhead and underground powerlines and powerline
equipment.
A Broadband Plant 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 Broadband Plant
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
customers/subscribers.
Successfully work within deadlines and time constraints.
3. Participates with the Broadband Plant Supervisor and Manager of Communications
Services in the formulation of objectives, procedures, and plans as they related to the
Communications Department.
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 assesses the skills and abilities of
subordinates, ensuring that projects are completed by properly trained personnel.
9. Administers performance reviews and ensures appropriate corrective action or
recognition is given to subordinates, when appropriate.
10. Directs the activities of the subordinates, making sure that all responsibilities,
authorities and relationships are understood and accepted.
11. Directs and monitors activities of construction personnel, maintenance personnel,
and contractors to ensure accurate documentation, maximum safety, productivity,
and public satisfaction are maintained.
12. Considers and reviews recommendations made by subordinates for new changes in
present procedure and, when appropriate, makes recommendations to the Broadband
Plant Supervisor and/or Chief Communications Officer.
13. 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 Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. or BEC
Communications, LLC.
14. Delegates appropriate authority and freedom of actions, but with recognition that he
cannot be relieved of his responsibility.
15. Communicates properly using two-way radios.
16. Correctly operates a laptop computer and the programs/systems used.
17. Keeps abreast of specifications regarding construction and maintenance and
inspects work of subordinates to insure that all specifications and codes are met.
18. Keeps informed of changes in the electrical system, including but not limited to
direction of line feeds, location, reclosing, and switching devices.
19. Provides close supervision, from a safety standpoint, when the job assigned
involves special hazards, including all hotline work.
20. 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.
21. Performs routine and non-routine energized work from an aerial platform (bucket
truck) on energized lines including pole change-outs and conversions.
22. Possesses knowledge of ratings, settings and troubleshooting any line equipment,
including transformers, capacitors, regulators, and meters.
23. 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.
24. Is responsible for the accounting of materials used for a job.
25. Frames and grounds structures or equipment in accordance with RUS
specifications.
26. Develops, implements, coordinates, directs, and documents BEC
Communications system maintenance programs as required by BEC, RUS, and/or
other governing agencies or codes.
27. Consults and coordinates with all Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. departments,
as appropriate, customers/subscribers, prospective customers/subscribers, property
owners, builders/developers, agencies, and companies concerning requirements for
services and/or line changes. Prepares cost estimates, contracts, designs,
easements, for acquirement of material, staking of line, staking sheets, and other
documentation, as required.
28. Coordinates construction of work plan projects by reviewing cost estimates,
contracts, design, easements, acquirement of material, staking of line, staking sheets,
and other documentation as required.
29. Receives daily job assignments from Broadband Plant Supervisor and coordinates
with Broadband Plant Technician, plans staff, and prioritizes daily work
assignments. Directs crew in accordance with plan. Monitors and adjusts as
necessary.
30. To the extent possible, ensures that the contracting companies use correct
notification, clearance, material, and installation procedures. Ensures that
maximum safety, economic benefit and public satisfaction are maintained.
31. Inspects completed work to ensure it has been done to specification, in compliance
with all safety policies/procedures/codes. Ensures substandard construction or
defects on the system are found, repaired and documented to minimize exposure,
maximize safety and limit legal liability.
32. Ensures maintenance needs on the system are found, repaired and documented to
minimize complaints, maximize safety and limit legal liability.
33. Directs, monitors, and documents restoration of service delivery as a result of
power outages and resolves service complaints using procedures which ensure
maximum safety, economy, restoration, and customer satisfaction.
34. Complies with all Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. policies and procedures,
safety rules, RUS specifications, NEC, NESC, federal, state, and local
regulations and codes.
35. Makes decisions on job sites regarding changes in work assignments and advises
the Broadband Plant Supervisor of any adjustments made, if necessary.
36. Investigates customer service complaints and takes necessary measures to
correct whatever trouble exists.
37. Makes every effort to serve all customers/subscribers courteously, efficiently and
fairly and to satisfy their complaints or inquiries, if possible. If unable to do so,
refers them to the proper persons.
38. 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 Broadband Plant
Supervisor and/or Chief Communications Officer any major mechanical
repairs which may be necessary.
39. Understands and complies with all Department of Transportation (DOT) rules and
regulations, including Drug and Alcohol Testing.
40. Acquires, maintains and returns material, equipment and tools in accordance with
Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. policies and procedures, as well as inventory
control procedures.
41. Accurately and legibly completes all documentation (computerized timecards, handwritten reports, etc.) in accordance with Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. policies
and procedures and submits such documentation to the proper individuals for
recordkeeping purposes.
42. Accurately reads and interprets maps, circuit diagrams, map scales, and map
legends under any conditions.
43. Assists assigned personnel in the completion of necessary documentation checking
for accuracy before submitting to proper individuals for recordkeeping purposes.
44. Excuses subordinates from the job site for clear cause, such as disruptive or
dangerous behavior, until the incident is resolved with the Broadband Plant
Supervisor and/or Chief Communications Officer. Clearly communicates
the circumstances of such dismissal of personnel from the job site to the
Broadband Plant Supervisor and/or Chief Communications Officer.
45. Operates all coop equipment in accordance with BEC policies and procedures,
safety rules, manufacturer guidelines, and regulations and/or codes and seeks input
from Broadband Plant Supervisor and/or Chief Communications Officer
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.
46. 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.
47. Loads materials, weighing up to 50 pounds without assistance and in excess of 50
pounds with assistance, for the planned job.
48. Cleans up each job site so that it is in an appropriate condition for public safety
and customer satisfaction.
49. Must possess knowledge of, or demonstrate the ability to learn, various computer
applications, including BEC Communications’ design software and
customer/subscriber information and work order system. This includes Microsoft
Office spreadsheets and word processing.
50. Works 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),
fiber optic test gear, fiber splicer, chainsaws, forklifts, front-end loaders, hammers, channel
locks, high-leverage wire cutters, tamps, shovels, pliers, screwdrivers, fall arrest systems,
and any other fiber optic construction or maintenance-related equipment, as well as
computer, printer, copier, fax machine, multi- functional phone system, shredder.
Other Important Duties:
1. Maintains good working relations with co-workers, Bartlett Electric Cooperative,
Inc. and BEC Communications, LLC customers/subscribers and the general
public.
2. Represents Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. and BEC Communications, LLC
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 Broadband Plant Supervisor
and/or Chief Communications Officer.
4. Performs other duties as may be assigned by Broadband Plant Supervisor and/or Chief Communications Officer or designee.
Experience, Training, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Must maintain professional knowledge of all issues relating to fiber optic linework.
Must maintain knowledge of Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. policies related to duties
of the position.
Participates in Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. Safety Meetings.
Must successfully perform annual Bucket Truck Rescue Demonstration.
Must maintain knowledge of CPR, AED and First Aid in order to use it, when necessary.
Ability to travel intra/inter-state, as necessary, for training purposes, meetings, or to
provide assistance to other electric cooperatives, as required.
Must pass a Department of Transportation or general physical, as required.
Must pass required and random OSHA/DOT drug tests.
Ability to move about and within an office building and on various terrain.
Ability to lift and/or move equipment and tools weighing up to 50 pounds without
assistance and in excess of 50 pounds with assistance.
Ability required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision,
depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
Ability to frequently stand and/or walk, either on the ground, while working at elevated
heights or sitting for extended periods of time.
Ability to perform manual and detailed hand work using both hands, sometimes
repetitively, climb and balance, squat, stoop, crouch or kneel, push, and pull.
Ability to bend at neck, waist, legs, and arms, reach above shoulder-level, twist body,
and change positions at will.
Ability to speak and hear clearly to communicate over loud background noise.
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.
Vision ability that meets the minimum requirements to acquire and maintain a Texas
CDL Driver’s license, with or without corrective lenses.
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.
Ability to be tactful and get along with diverse groups of people and personalities.
Capable of conveying a positive and professional image.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks, even simultaneously, as well as
coordinate projects with other employees working to consistently meet deadlines and
budgets.
Ability to listen to and read instructions and other paperwork.
Ability to use judgment and reasoning skills to perform the Essential Functions of the
Position.
Ability to motivate, direct, supervise, train, and coach subordinates.
Education, Degrees, Certificates, and/or License Requirements:
High School Diploma or equivalent.
Valid minimum Texas Commercial Class A Driver’s License (CDL) and an acceptable
driving history. CDL must be maintained and this includes maintaining DOT physical
with satisfactory results.
Must be eligible to be and remain insured as a driver by the Organization’s group
liability policy for the automotive fleet.
American Red Cross or equivalent Certificate of Standard First Aid, CPR andAED
utilization.
Certificate of Pole Climbing Training or Certification of Pole Climbing Experience.
Documented completion of Bucket Truck Rescue Training.
Documented completion of Forklift Training.
Minimum of five (5) years of fiber optic/broadband work experience (overhead and underground).
Supervisory Experience.
This Position Description is intended to identify the essential functions of a position and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. The
employee may be required to perform or assume additional position-related responsibilities other than those stated in this description.
Bartlett Electric Cooperative, Inc. reserves the right to revise or change the position responsibilities as the need arises. This Position
Description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. The time frames mentioned for successful accomplishment
of training phases are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as an implied contract of employment for any amount
of time