Electric Line Worker/Power Plant Operator

Position Opening
City of Estherville, Iowa
Electric Line Worker/ Power Plant Operator
The City of Estherville, Iowa, has an opening for the position of Electric Line Worker/ Power Plant
Operator.
The municipal utility operates a 12.5kv system with approximately 3200 meters and maintains a 12 MW
electrical power plant with five (5) diesel/gas units for emergency and peaking generation for the
City of Estherville.
Estherville is located in Northwest Iowa approximately 15 minutes from the Iowa Great Lakes. The
area offers boundless opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast, including hunting, fishing, golf,
kayaking the river water trails, boating the lakes, and exploring Fort Defiance State Park.
Estherville also features a new aquatic center, splash pad, Regional Wellness Center, Iowa Lake
Community College and many city parks surrounded by beautiful walking trails.
The City of Estherville offers competitive wages and great benefits including IPERS, Health and
Dental Insurance, Life Insurance, Long Term Disability Insurance, Health Savings
Account, Longevity Pay, Vacation, Paid Holidays, Sick Leave, Voluntary Vision, and AFLAC.
For more information contact:
City Administrative Offices PO Box 417
Estherville IA 51334
712-362-7771
www.cityofestherville.org
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled. Application review to begin September 30, 2026

Position Description
Position: Electric Line Worker/ Power Plant Operator FSLA Status: Covered
Reports to: Electric Utility Superintendent
Scope:
This position involves responsibility for routine and emergency electric distribution system
operation, Power Plant operation, as well as operating a variety of specialized equipment and
apparatus in the Electric Distribution Department, electric distribution system, and Power Plant.
The regular workday starts at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. There is also a
weekly rotating “on call” person that is on call after the normal working hours including holidays
which are rotated throughout the year. Occasional emergency overtime work and emergency call out
work will be necessary.
This position requires year-round indoor and outdoor activities around the electric
distribution shop and the entire overhead and underground electric distribution system throughout
the City of Estherville. This position also involves periodic operation of
diesel/gas generation units, Power Plant readings, and general maintenance as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Driving and operating bucket trucks, digger derrick trucks, dump trucks, and trenchers
• Operating chain saws, chain hoist, rope hand lines, tampers, shovels, rakes, and various tools
in the department
• Climb wooden utility poles with pole climbers and safety belt with tools in belt
• Wear high voltage rubber gloves and sleeves while working on electric devices
• Assist in system maintenance/repair activities
• Installing and terminating primary and secondary electrical cable
• Making transformer connections on both single phase and three phase overhead and underground
transformers

• Perform meter-reading functions, including some testing and wiring of the three phase meter
applications
• Lifting of heavy power cables and pulling cables several yards
• Continuous walking, climbing, stepping, into and off of the vehicles, equipment and
structures
• Verbal communication skills for adequate radio communications
• Verbal communication skills for adequate work site communications where communications may take
place up to 60 feet away with interfering equipment noise
• Clean and service department equipment
• Perform tasks as required through other departments in the city structure such as utility meter
reading, snow removal, snow plowing, etc
• Periodic operation of generators
• Operate switchboard as: reading meters, placing engines on and offline for generation
• Reading and recording plant meters, charts and dials
• Maintenance of grounds and buildings
• Perform routine maintenance on all equipment including pumps, motors, radiators, and
compressors
• Perform metal fabrication, routine welding and piping
• Be on call every 3-4 weeks for emergency generation, checking the plant on weekends and reading
plant meters
• Perform related work as required

Required Skills, Knowledge and Competencies:
• Ability to perform all essential functions of the job listed above
• One year of electric power line vocational school
• Basic electrical knowledge required in transformer connections, metering and both overhead and
underground electric distribution construction
• Must be able to perform such duties as meter reading, installing and terminating primary and
secondary cable and also must understand the operations of
equipment such as digger derrick trucks, bucket trucks, and trenching equipment
• Valid Class “B” Commercial Driver’s License is required with airbrakes, within six (6) months of
hire
• Walking, climbing stairs, ladders and scaffolding

• Ability to understand safety needs involved with all jobs’ requirements
• Must be able to keep records, read and understand written and oral instructions
• Able to lift, handle and use heavy tools and equipment up to 100 pounds
• Ability to create and maintain an effective working relationship with fellow employees and the
public
• City policy require residency within five (5) miles of city limits

Pre-employment drug test is required. The City of Estherville will not hire any person for this
position unless that person passes pre-employment drug test. The position is also subject to post
accident, random, reasonable suspicion, return to duty and follow up testing
required by Federal Commercial Drivers License regulations.

This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by
persons assigned to this position. This is not an all-inclusive list of
responsibilities and duties; other duties may be assigned as necessary.