Craft Attendant (Shifted 27%)

The post holder is required to assist the craftsperson in their role in terms of network maintenance, reinforcement, alterations and fault repairs on the LV/HV distribution network involving switching and jointing work on the LV/HV distribution network. This will also include assisting in the restoration of LV supplies as part of fault working and system emergencies. This will be done by observing the work in progress to ensure correct procedures are being followed with particular regard to PPE and safe working practices for the task in hand.

Dimensions

Although the person has no budgetary or staffing responsibilities, he/she does have a direct input to the financial budget in terms of personal responsibility for a vehicle plus other plant, material and equipment up to a value of £20k. These include a van (shared), compressor, generator, drilling equipment and personal protection equipment. It is usually the Fitter/Jointers responsibility for vehicles, tools and equipment as he/she will be the person liable for any damage/loss. Please note that a vehicle is not supplied with this role.

Jobs are allocated to the craftsperson on a daily, three or five day basis depending on the nature of the work. From the receipt of the work document, the craftsperson will work out how much work there is to be done and the source of material and stock items to undertake the work.

Craft Attendants will be required to demonstrate a responsible and safe approach to unplanned hazardous situations. They will be required to deal professionally with members of the public, emergency services and local authorities when representing UK Power Networks in emergency situations.

The successful candidate will work a 37 hour week. Successful candidates may be given the opportunity to study to obtain a City & Guilds 2339 (formally 2322) qualification and to undertake training to become a craftsperson /Jointer.

Principal Accountabilities

• Observe all work being carried out on: live LV apparatus with exposed conductors.


• Ensure safe use of equipment in line with health & safety procedures and network standards specifically that colleagues on site are also wearing the relevant PPE. (This forms part of the duty of care of all operational staff under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974).


• To deter members of the public distracting staff while working on live equipment, and ensure 'Do Not Disturb' signs are prominently displayed appropriately and at all times whilst live electrical work is in progress.


• Set equipment up for the Fitter/Jointer including preparation of work, laying out tools and equipment for a task and equipping the vehicle to enable jobs to be carried out.


• Assists the Fitter/Jointer when he/she carries out work on live 240/415v apparatus, conductors or equipment as required in accordance with appropriate safety procedures.


• Use appropriate IT equipment such as Toughpads, SAP data collection devices- an electronic job issuing system.


• Assist the Fitter/Jointer with all aspects of maintaining and inspecting the LV and HV network.


• Supports the Fitter/Jointer in terms of uses own judgement to undertake risk assessment of a job in terms of feasibility, safety, knowledge of tools and equipment and timeliness and liaise with Field Engineer as and when appropriate.


• The post holder undertakes a system emergency storm role where he/she carries out in accordance with network standards and safety requirements.


Measures of Success

Supporting and achieving the goal of zero harm to one's self, colleagues and members of the public

We aim to achieve the fault response targets:

• 30 minutes on site for an LV fault


• 170 minutes LV fault restoration of supply


• 60 minutes power on for an HV fault


Improve the customer satisfaction rating for UKPN within Central London

Tools and equipment are within test dates and calibrated

Feedback from colleagues, customers and other organisations as well as implementation of work activity demonstrate that policies and procedures are understood and successfully undertaken by the post holder.

Nature and Scope

The post holder, along with the Craftsperson, reports to the Field Staff Supervisor which forms part of the Network Operations business unit. The unit is responsible, amongst other responsibilities, for the rapid restoration of customer supplies through the dispatch of first response technicians, fitters and linesmen.

The Craftsperson is allocated work activity sometimes by some form of dispatch and at other times through a field engineer or scheduling teams. This can range from one particular complicated piece of work each day to a number of work tasks. The jobs can range from daily jobs to jobs needing to be carried out up to seven days although the jobs are laid out for the Craftsperson and the Craft Attendants.

It is the role of the Craftsperson to take hold of the work pack, looks at the work pack, assess by means of his/her own judgement whether he/she, in conjunction with the Craft Attendant, can undertake the work in accordance with the workbook. If there are any queries regarding the nature of the work or whether he/she feels able to undertake the work in line with the work book, he/she can discuss such queries with the Control Room and speak with the Field Engineer.

The post holder has an Individual Performance Review meeting with the Field Staff Supervisor where goals and objectives are set and there is also a monthly team talk with the Field Staff Supervisor

In carrying out his/her role, the Craft Attendant may work with another Craftsperson if his/her regular Craftsperson is on leave for instance so the post holder has to demonstrate flexibility and good teamwork ability, Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they fully understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and particularly where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

Employees need to be aware that for some craft and operational roles that work at height, or use fall arrest devices, there is an upper weight limit of 116Kg due to maximum safe working load of the safety equipment that is used.


• Educated to at least GCSE level or equivalent.


• An understanding of the Electricity at Work Act including understanding electrical diagrams and maps i.e. points of isolation/earthing


• New Roads & Streetworks Act (NRSWA) - Units 1, 2 and 3 successfully achieved.


• Training would initially be at a training centre for a basic grasp of policy and health & safety. Craft Attendants would be expected to learn on the job.


• Trained in First Aid


• Awareness of policies relating to network standards and Health & Safety. Leading to a sound knowledge of electrical distribution. The Craft Attendant has to be aware of such policies but only enough so as to escalate to the craftsperson if he/she felt there was a failure to follow a policy.


• Full UK driving licence required, Customer focused with the ability to develop a good rapport with customers as well as form effective relationships with colleagues and members of the public


• Working as a support to the Fitter/Jointer the post holder has to be able to work under pressure, work effectively to schedules, work on own initiative in terms of assessing whether a job can be undertaken within the allotted timescales and be self- reliant.


• Good team working ability in terms of being able to collaborate with others to ensure that work is undertaken to quality, cost and time requirements


• Self-motivation including the willingness and ability to keep abreast of national regulations and network standards relating to health & safety and electricity distribution


• The post holder should have a positive attitude and a high level of energy. The post holder should also be flexible, adaptable and responsive to change.


• Good communication skills so as to be able to establish strong informal relationships with colleagues across Networks as well as be able to interpret technical information and explain this to others.


• Health & Safety dimensions - the post holder is competent enough to be able to effectively use a particular piece of equipment and be able to access confined spaces including tunnels.
  
  Personal Pension Plan - Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%)


• Tenancy Loan Deposit scheme


• Tax efficient benefits: cycle to work scheme


• Season ticket loan


• Occupational Health support


• Switched On - scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers products.


• Discounted access to sports and social clubs


• Employee Assistance Programme.