Apprentice Line Technician

Come join us at Bandera Electric Cooperative (BEC), where we are lighting the grid to empower our members!

Help us Reimagine Rural America!

Bandera Electric Cooperative proudly distributes electricity to more than 28,000 members with over 39,000 active meters in seven counties in Central Texas. In addition, BEC Fiber, a division of Bandera Electric Cooperative, currently provides fiber internet service to more than 11,000 subscribers in eight counties across the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

Why work for BEC?

We offer Highly Competitive Wages and a Generous Benefit Package!!

Health, Life and Disability Benefits (no waiting period – benefits start on first day)

• Medical, Dental and Vision plans
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with a generous employer contribution of $3,250 for Individual medical coverage and $6,500 for Family medical coverage
• Company-paid Employee Life insurance and Business Travel insurance
• Short- and Long-term disability plans
• Supplemental Life and AD&D insurance options

Retirement Benefits

• 401(k) employer match
• Pension plan

Additional Benefits

• PTO – Accrue 180 hours/4.5 weeks of PTO per year
• 10 Paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Gym reimbursement for you and your spouse

We are looking for an energetic and motivated Apprentice Line Technician to join BEC’s Operations team. The qualified candidate will be a team player, eager to continue in a Line Technician career, advancing their knowledge and experience in the electrical utility industry.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform with limited supervision climbing/non-climbing construction and maintenance activities involving the installation and removal of electrical apparatus and related materials in accordance with RUS Bulletin 1728F – 806 and 803 specifications and written safety rules.
• Assist in assembling, inspecting, and loading the necessary materials for scheduled work and other assigned duties.
• Assist in setting poles, right-of-way clearing/tree trimming and other assigned construction and maintenance duties.
• Assist in the inspection and servicing of trucks, tools, and assigned equipment to ensure they are properly used and maintained in good working order, assume responsibility for guarding against losses; report any defective or unsafe items promptly to immediate supervisor.
• Identify problem areas and issues to management in order to resolve as quickly and safely as possible.
• Will be enrolled in Northwest Lineman’s College for continued education and obtainment of DOL certification. (BEC will pay the tuition)

Qualifications and Requirements

• High School diploma or equivalent with one year of related experience.
• Must have and maintain a valid Class A CDL Texas driver’s license with insurance or obtain within 6 months of DOH.
• Must have the ability to work in elevated positions and safely operate Cooperative vehicles and equipment in all weather conditions.
• Be able to study for and attend classes for two weeks a year, up to four years, at Northwest Lineman’s College in Denton, TX.

Working Conditions

• Perform in outdoor weather conditions, perform where risk of fire or explosion and/or risk of electric shock. Perform where fumes or air-borne particles and/or toxic or caustic chemicals and/or blood-borne pathogens and/or risk of radiation and/or prolonged exposure to vibration.
• Position requires working indoors and outdoors under varying weather conditions. (Temperatures from 32 degrees or below to 100 degrees or higher).
• Tobacco free, professional office environment and fieldwork.
• Climb ladders, poles, and work in elevated positions.
• Loading and unloading equipment utilizing boom truck, forklift, hoist, winch or rope blocks.
• Operate text equipment and read scales, turn knobs, and operate switches.
• Occasional overtime required.
• Will be assigned on call duty.

Physical Requirements

Stand, walk, lift, or exert force up to 100 lbs., reach, stretch, climb, balance, crouch, and stoop.

Use close vision, distance vision, color discrimination, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focusing ability.

Operate large trucks with manual transmission, digger derricks, jack hammers, hand lines, hoists, hand tools, hydraulic tools, chainsaws, etc., that are normally used in the construction and maintenance of electric lines.

Ability to work out of bucket trucks and perform work in elevated and reaching positions.