Overhead linesperson

Overhead linespeople are at the heart of our business. Working in teams, they install, repair, maintain and patrol overhead lines and cables. They perform emergency response work and respond to callouts when power supply is lost.

Their work is varied, physically challenging and can be both exciting and demanding. They can be exposed to 33kV in an overhead lines environment, they encounter hazardous chemicals and noise, they often scale towers and poles, and perform work at heights, beside roadways and in hot conditions.

Needless to say, a linesperson is expected to follow work safety practices, to control environmental impacts and comply with relevant laws. Every day, they need to identify and eliminate hazards and potentially dangerous situations.

Standard duties

Some examples of the work a linesperson does include:

  • Installing earth stakes, wood, concrete and steel structures and guy wires, using elevated work platforms, hole and trench diggers and self-loading vehicles
  • Installing and servicing aerial equipment such as conductors, cross arms, insulators, streetlights, transformers, pole mounted circuit breakers and switches
  • Emergency repairs on overhead distribution lines including isolating the live mains.

What’s required for this role?

  • Formal trade qualifications (preferred)
  • Certification of Competency as an Overhead Linesperson and/or Electrical Fitter Mechanic
  • Current Queensland driver’s licence (or the ability to get one)
  • Elevated Work Platform Certificate / Licence
  • Crane Operator or GP Operator Ticket (desirable)
  • Fork Truck Operator Licence (desirable).

What key competencies are needed?

To work as a linesperson, you need:

  • Communication skills - to be understood by and gain acceptance and support from team members and those you liaise with.
  • Safety - you need to follow safety rules, identify and eliminate hazards and potentially dangerous situations.
  • Teamwork - your actions should foster team spirit and build and maintain cooperative and productive relationships in the team.
  • Initiative - you need to independently and appropriately respond to problems and opportunities as they arise.
  • Job competence - you’re expected to have the knowledge and demonstrate the skills needed to perform maintenance and construction tasks.
  • Dependability - you need to be able to meet deadlines, schedules and time commitments.

Want to find out more?

If you have questions about our electrical trade roles, you can:

Interested in working for us?

If you’re interested in joining our team, read about working for us and find current vacancies at Energy Queensland job opportunities.