Underground Electrical Distribution Foreman

Job Title: Underground Electrical Distribution Foreman
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Summary
The Underground Electrical Distribution Foreman is responsible for supervising and coordinating crews engaged in the construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair of underground electrical distribution systems. This role serves as the primary field leader, ensuring work is performed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable codes, specifications, and company standards. The Underground Electrical Distribution Foreman plans daily activities, allocates resources, enforces safety requirements, and supports outage response and emergency restoration when required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and coordinate underground electrical line crews performing installation, maintenance, rehabilitation, and repair of distribution systems.
• Plan daily work activities in coordination with supervision and project leadership to support new construction, service upgrades, and maintenance projects.
• Oversee underground work including trenching, conduit and duct bank installation, cable pulling, splicing, terminations, vault and manhole work, and rehabilitation activities.
• Lead and enforce safe work practices for energized and de-energized underground electrical systems.
• Conduct daily job briefings, tailgate meetings, pre-task planning, and Job Safety Analyses (JSAs).
• Perform and oversee switching, tagging, grounding, lockout/tagout, and line clearance activities.
• Ensure proper identification, tagging, and verification of cables, including identifying and correcting mismarked cables.
• Interpret electrical prints, schematics, work orders, and construction documents to guide field execution.
• Troubleshoot underground circuit issues and support fault locating, testing, and repair activities.
• Inspect underground facilities, transformers, switchgear, and secondary systems to ensure quality and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, NESC, and company safety policies, including PPE, cover-up, and tool inspection requirements.
• Operate or direct the safe operation of vehicles, bucket trucks, digger derricks, and earth-moving equipment such as mini-excavators and backhoes.
• Maintain accurate documentation including timesheets, work orders, material usage reports, and production records.
• Communicate job progress, outages, safety concerns, and resource needs to supervision and dispatch.
• Respond to outages, service requests, and emergency restoration events as required, including storm response and on-call assignments.
• Train, mentor, and evaluate crew members to ensure technical proficiency, productivity, and safety awareness.
• Maintain good housekeeping and organization in all work areas.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough understanding of underground electrical distribution systems and electrical theory.
• Strong working knowledge of underground construction methods, duct banks, vaults, manholes, and cable systems.
• Ability to safely supervise work around energized high-voltage distribution systems.
• Knowledge of switching, tagging, grounding, phasing, line protection devices, and safe clearance procedures.
• Familiarity with fault locating, cable testing, and rehabilitation techniques.
• Ability to plan and execute work based on prints, work orders, and job conditions.
• Understanding of trench safety, sloping, shoring, confined space work, and excavation requirements.
• Ability to identify proper tools for tasks, ensure tool calibration, and enforce proper use.
• Proficiency in three-way communications and coordinating with dispatch during outages and switching operations.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills and ability to lead crews in dynamic field environments.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform physically demanding tasks.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 5 years of underground electrical distribution experience required.
• Minimum of 2 years of foreman or crew leadership experience preferred.
• Journeyman Lineman certification or equivalent field experience required.
• Valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), Class A preferred, with acceptable driving record.
• OSHA 10 required; OSHA 30 preferred.
• Experience working on energized underground distribution systems required.
• Willingness and ability to work irregular hours, overtime, travel as needed, and respond to emergency or outage situations.

Pre-Employment Requirement
Candidates who accept an offer of employment are required to undergo and successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination. This exam ensures that all potential employees meet the necessary health and fitness standards for the role. The examination includes a series of tests and evaluations conducted by a certified medical professional to assess overall physical health, identify any potential medical conditions that could interfere with job performance, and verify that the candidate is capable of safely performing the essential duties of the position. Completion and clearance of this physical are mandatory steps in the hiring process.