Groundman

Role overview

This role supports a municipal engineering team in Madison County, Mississippi, with a focus on electrical distribution work and related field operations in and around Jackson, MS. The position involves outdoor utility work, occasional office tasks, and may require holiday and weekend availability.

Key duties

• Help build and maintain electrical distribution networks.
• Keep trucks and equipment in working order and ensure vehicles are fully stocked, clean, and washed when needed.
• Assist, under supervision, with energized or de-energized secondary lines up to 600 volts.
• Perform work from poles, ladders, or bucket trucks as assigned.
• Support the installation and hookup of electric services and meters for homes, businesses, and industrial sites.
• Operate derrick trucks and bucket trucks under supervision.
• Learn the names, uses, and handling methods for tools, equipment, and materials.
• Build the basic skills needed for pole climbing and related field techniques.
• Take part in after-hours on-call coverage and respond to emergency situations as needed.
• Follow all safety rules, procedures, and first-aid practices tied to electrical system work.
• Complete required paperwork and job documentation.
• Assist with traffic signal systems.
• Support installation, maintenance, and repair work on underground conductors, overhead conductors, transformers, switchgear, capacitors, and other utility equipment.
• Help diagnose issues in the electrical system.
• Assist with tree and brush trimming near conductors, including loading and unloading cut limbs and brush.
• Support Christmas lighting and wiring projects, as well as other events and activities in Canton, MS.
• Carry out additional tasks assigned by the supervisor and assist crews with event-related duties.

Working conditions

The job involves frequent walking, standing, lifting light tools and equipment, bending, climbing, stooping, crouching, squatting, pulling, pushing, reaching, and tasks that require strong eye-hand coordination. The work also includes looking upward, reading, writing, managing stress, making decisions, and handling multiple priorities under pressure. Most duties are outdoors, though some office work is required. The role is exposed to weather extremes such as heat, cold, rain, and snow, as well as other hazards. Flame-retardant long-sleeve Nomex or equivalent uniforms must be worn at all times, and work boots are required. Noise exposure is frequent, some tasks take place in confined spaces, and work at heights of 56 feet or more may occur in bucket trucks, along with pole-climbing work at varying heights. The position involves low-voltage secondary systems not exceeding 600 volts and requires the ability to perform physical tasks related to electrical distribution when needed.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a high school diploma or GED, along with at least 3 years of strong work experience in mechanical or electrical concepts, applications, construction, or similar work. A valid CDL Class A or B license with a clean driving record is required. Candidates must also be able to pass a physical examination, drug screening, and background check.

Additional requirements and work style

Success in this role depends on strong attendance, reliability, initiative, teamwork, clear communication with coworkers, utilities, and customers, and a professional appearance that supports the municipal utility’s image. The ideal candidate should be motivated, alert, attentive, mature in attitude, comfortable with basic math and planning, and able to work well with the public.

Equipment and tools

Typical equipment includes bucket trucks, derrick trucks, pickup trucks, flatbed trucks, trailers, pole-climbing gear such as belts and hooks, tree-trimming equipment, ladders, small hand tools, testing devices, and all other safety equipment needed for the job.