General Lineworker Apprentice - EDT Penn Hills

Duquesne Light Company, headquartered in downtown Pittsburgh, is a leader in providing electric energy and has been in the forefront of the electric energy market, with a history rooted in technological innovation and superior customer service. Today, the company continues its role as a leader in the transmission and distribution of electric energy, providing a secure supply of reliable power to more than half a million customers in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Duquesne Light Company is committed to creating a culture of inclusion. We value and respect the unique differences and experiences of our employees. We believe that our differences lead to better collaboration, innovation and outcomes. We want you to join our team!

Bargaining unit:DLC1

Starting Rate: $35.02

This posting will be active for the January 2026 EDT Class.

No. of positions: 1

Overall Purpose

This is the training program to progress to the Senior Operator or Lineworker position. Before entering the program, individuals must successfully pass the CAST test as well as the wood pole school administered by the Company. With regards to the wood pole school, individuals applying for this program must demonstrate the ability to work in the air from a platform truck and climb wood poles among other duties prior to being qualified for this program. With regards to wood pole climbing, any individual who enters this program must initially and continually maintain their climbing qualifications as an essential requirement for this position.

DEFINITIONS

"General Lineworker Apprentice Program" (The Program): The training program that an individual must successfully complete in order to move into a Senior Operator or Lineworker position.

"Pay for Skills" - Individuals will receive training which will be separated into twelve (12) training levels. Upon successful completion of each aspect of each training level, the individual will receive increased compensation.

"Existing Labor Agreement" - The contract effective October 1, 2023 between the company and the union.

ARTICLES

A. A new position titled General Lineworker Apprentice will be established as the entry position into the Senior Operator and Lineworker positions:

1. 
   

   Senior Operator*

   
   

1. 
   

   Troubleshooter 1/C*

   
   

1. 
   

   Troubleshooter *

   
   

1. 
   

   Unrestricted General Lineworker

   
   

1. 
   

   Restricted General Lineworker

   
   

1. 
   

   General Lineworker Apprentice

   
   

B. The above-named positions referenced with an asterisk, will be designated as shift work. Employees filling these jobs will be covered under all provisions of the existing labor contract that apply to "Shift Workers".

C. Compensation for the General Lineworker Apprentice, Restricted General Lineworker, Unrestricted General Lineworker, Troubleshooter, Troubleshooter/1C and Senior Operator will be paid in accordance with attachment "A" below while progressing through this apprenticeship. The wage rates listed below will be increased in accordance with Article VI A.2 of the collective bargaining agreement.

D. Training and the Apprentice Program:

1. 
   

   The Apprenticeship classification provides for progression to the Senior Operator or Lineworker position based upon a pay for skills format with resultant increases after skills are successfully demonstrated (time in grade for levels 1-4 and 8-12 respectively, hours worked for levels 5-7). Time-In-Grade will not be credited if an employee is absent (with or without pay) for any reason greater than two consecutive weeks; except for normal scheduled vacation. The following provisions apply to the progressions:

   
   

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  During training level 1, an individual must successfully complete all program requirements of the training program (see Section 6 below for additional details) or equivalent program (subject to Company approval).

  
  

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  The individual must remain in Training Levels 1 through 4 for a minimum of 24 months. The Company will initiate a meeting with the Union and the employee to discuss expediting progression due to exceptional work performance through these levels; subject to the limitation listed above.

  
  

• 
  

  After completion of training level 4, the individual will be evaluated to determine if they are qualified to continue in the program. If necessary, the Company will meet and discuss an employee's disqualification from the program, with the Union, in accordance with Article IV E of the labor agreement. An individual disqualified from the program may not re-enter the program and shall not be eligible to apply for any overhead or underground T&D positions that involve work on the transmission and/or distribution system (energized or de-energized).

  
  
• 
  

  Levels 5 through 7 will be based on the number of hours worked within the progression. 2080 hours worked at Level 5, 2080 hours worked at level 6 and 2080 hours worked as a restricted General Lineworker Apprentice at Level 7. Total hours worked in these levels shall be a minimum of 6240 hours worked.

  
  

NOTE: As it relates to this apprenticeship program, NOII, Convenience Days, Holiday, Bereavement, Jury Duty, Vacation, etc. pay codes are not considered as time worked.

1. 
   

   After completing Level 7, the Company will determine the amount of Sr. Operator/Troubleshooter and Lineworker positions to post based on business need in accordance with Article IV.F.2. Employees will be awarded positions in Seniority order. Any Restricted General Lineworker who does not bid on either a Sr. Operator/Troubleshooter or Lineworker position in accordance with this paragraph will be placed into a remaining vacant Sr. Operator/Troubleshooter or Lineworker position.

   
   

For employees who bid or are placed into a Senior Operator/Troubleshooter position the following applies:

• 
  

  An individual will complete one full year as an Unrestricted General Lineworker at training level 7U (9.2 rate) once the staffing level of the Sr. Operator/Troubleshooter reaches a (combined) total of 55 by year end of 2023.

  
  

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  The individual must remain in training levels 8 through 12 for a minimum of 30 months. The Company reserves the sole right to expedite progression due to excellent work performance through these levels.

  
  

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  The individual must complete this automatic progression within ten years (10) from beginning said program. If an individual does not complete all the training in this time period, the Company and Union will meet and make recommendations regarding the individual's status in the program. This provision is not to be interpreted to restrict the rights of the Company or the Union under the Existing Labor Agreement.

  
  

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  Any individual who enters this automatic progression shall continue to successfully progress through each training level, subject to the terms herein, and has no ability to restrict or hold at any level within the line of progression to a 9.6 Senior Operator.

  
  

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  The individual will perform all work for which he/she is trained and qualified.

  
  

E. With regards to each respective training level (see also attachment A below):

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  The individual will receive their progression level increase at the successful completion of each level requirement as stated herein.

  
  
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  During training levels 1 through 6, the individual will be considered a General Lineworker Apprentice. During the entire time spent in the overhead apprentice portion, they will be equally included in the apprentice overtime and/or assignments.

  
  

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  During training level 7, the individual will be a Restricted General Lineworker

  
  

For employees who bid or are placed into a Senior Operator/Troubleshooter position the following applies:

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  During training level 7U the individual will be an Unrestricted General Lineworker

  
  

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  During training level 8 the individual will be a Troubleshooter

  
  

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  During training level 9 the individual will be a Troubleshooter /1C

  
  

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  During training level 10, 11, 12 the individual will be a 9.6 Senior Operator top step

  
  

F. Bidding/Bumping/Other:

The Company will post General Lineworker Apprentice position(s) in accordance with Article IV F.2.

1. 
   

   Bidding into the program (With Prior Field Experience):

   
   
   
   
   1. A fully qualified electrical maintenance employee would enter the program at level 4.B. A fully qualified UG splicer would enter at level 5.
   2. 
      

      A fully qualified Sr. Protection and Control Technician and/or a Protection and Control Technician 1/C would enter the program at level 1. It shall be noted that these employees would not need to complete Levels 10, 11 or 12 of the program.

      
      
   3. 
      

      A fully qualified Network Operator 1/C would enter the program at level 4.

      
      
   4. 
      

      A fully qualified System Operator would enter the program at level 3.

      
      
   
   
   
   

1. 
   

   Bidding into the program (No Prior Field Experience):

   
   
   
   
   1. 
      

      Employees shall take and satisfactorily pass the CAST test (unless previously qualified) and wood pole school to be eligible for the program.

      
      
   2. 
      

      Employees who enter the training program will be expected to complete all field and training requirements.

      
      
   
   
   
   

3. All General Lineworker Apprentice are required to remain in the program after level 4 through level 7 unless he/she is a successful candidate for an equal or higher rated position for which he/she is qualified.

4. Bumping into this apprenticeship program will only be permitted if a reduction in force is required and:

• 
  

  an individual is qualified (OH, UG, Electrical Maintenance and Protection and Control and Network Operator 1/C only) for the position he is attempting to bump into; and

  
  

• 
  

  has seniority greater than an individual in the program; and

  
  

• 
  

  The maximum rate of pay on the job they are holding is equal to or greater than any individual's current rate of pay in the program

  
  

• 
  

  Article IV J. 1 shall apply

  
  

G. If either the minimum number of fully qualified Sr. Operators at each district (West=10 , Central=15, East = 12) drops below the total at each district or the minimum number of combined Sr. Operators and Troubleshooters drops below 46 across all districts, then employees who bid or were placed into a Senior Operator/Troubleshooter position, will be required to remain in the progression unless he/she is a successful candidate for an equal or higher rated position for which he/she is qualified for up to one (1) year after completing the program.

H. Employees who currently hold the title of Senior Operator Apprentice or Restricted Senior Operator Apprentice as of October 1, 2023 will be converted to the title of General Lineworker Apprentice or Restricted General Lineworker based on their current training level. There will be no change in the employees pay as a result of this title change.

Education / Experience Requirements:
* High School Diploma or equivalent required

* Applicable candidates must successfully pass the CAST test as required.
* Applicable candidates must successfully pass a wood pole school administered by the Company, i.e. individuals applying for this program must demonstrate the ability to work in the air from a platform truck and climb wood poles among other duties prior to being qualified for this program as required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of the employment relationship, without discrimination because of race, age, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity or status as a Vietnam era or special disabled veteran or any other unlawful basis, as defined by applicable law, and fostering a workplace free of unlawful discrimination and retaliation. This policy affects decisions including, but not limited to, hiring, compensation, benefits, terms and conditions of employment, opportunities for promotion, transfer, layoffs, return from a layoff, training and development, and other privileges of employment. An integral part of Duquesne Light Holdings' commitment is to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws concerning equal employment and affirmative action.

Duquesne Light Holdings is committed to offering an inclusive and accessible experience for all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities. Our goal is to foster an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone has the opportunity to be successful.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, apply for a position, or participate in the interview process, connect with us at HR@duqlight.com and describe the specific accommodation requested for a disability-related limitation.