Power Line Construction & Maintenance

Overview

careers

  • Apprentice Lineman

  • Distribution Engineer

  • Utility Assistant

 
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Job Placement Rate ⓘ
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Average Salary ⓘ

Mitchell Technical College offers the only Power Line program in South Dakota. Employment opportunities are available with rural electric cooperatives, municipal and private utility companies, the Bureau of Reclamation, private contractors and many others.  Course material and lab activities are based around the application and theory of distribution and transmission of electrical power. Fieldwork includes operating a digger derrick truck, setting poles, climbing poles, installing anchors and stringing conductors. Outside lab also involves installation of transformers and metering for overhead and underground distribution systems.

Physical fitness is an important part of the job of an electrical line worker. A careful, detail-oriented personality is also a good quality to possess since individuals will be working with high voltage, often in dangerous situations and bad weather conditions; safety is a major element of lineworker training. Line work is extremely challenging as the type of projects, conditions and work locations change frequently. Lineworkers perform tasks in an outdoor environment subjected to various weather conditions such as extreme heat or in freezing temperatures in the rain, sleet, wind and snow. The work is done in both overhead and underground lines with the overhead work typically done at heights more than 25 feet above the ground. Lineworkers are often on call at any hour to restore power.

Students who wish to obtain an AAS degree in Utilities Technology may complete this curriculum, the Geospatial Technologies, Heating & Cooling Technologies or Natural Gas Technology curriculum and the addition of a behavioral science elective (3 hours).

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Curriculum

Award: Diploma

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Semesters
First Semester
PAT100Intro to GPS Technologies1 credit
PL111Fundamentals of DC/AC3 credits
PL141Power Grid Design3 credits
PL150Field Training I4 credits
PL151Construction of Underground Lines4 credits
PL171Utility Safety I1 credit
CPR100First Aid, CPR AED0.5 credits
OSHA101OSHA 10 Training1 credit
SSS100Student Success1 credit
TRAN100Industrial Transportation CDL1 credit
Total Semester Hours19.5 credits
Second Semester
PL120Transformers Connections3 credits
PL143Power Grid Design II3 credits
PL154Maintenance of Underground Lines4 credits
PL156Field Training II4 credits
PL172Utility Safety II1 credit
Math Elective3 credits
Written Communications Elective 3 credits
Total Semester Hours21 credits

Requirements

Drug/Alcohol Testing Requirements

Students are expected to conform to Rules for Programs with Required Drug and Alcohol Testing while enrolled in this program.  See the Student Handbook for details. Any student who enrolls in Commercial Driver training must obtain a South Dakota driver’s license in order to complete the CDL training course. A Class A CDL is a graduation requirement for this program.  See the Course Description for TRAN 100 for a full explanation. 

Please Note:
  Students planning to obtain an AAS degree in Utilities Technology MUST complete the CDL requirement during their first year of enrollment.

Physical Requirements

Mitchell Tech recommends that applicants in the Power Line Construction & Maintenance program obtain a physical examination for their safety and protection. Applicants to this program need to be able to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping and handling of heavy materials.

Computer Requirements

This program allows you to bring your own laptop as long as it meets these minimum specifications:

Processor – Intel Core i Series (i3, i5, i7) or AMD Ryzen
Operating System – Windows 10
Webcam Recommended
Memory – 4 GB or more
Internal Storage – 64 GB or more
Microsoft Office is available at no charge as long as enrolled at Mitchell Tech
NO APPLE/MAC COMPUTERS

Outcomes

At the completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
  • Explain and apply Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules and regulations for power line workers
  • Exhibit safe work habits and an understanding of power line safety guidelines
  • Identify and describe terminations on a U.R.D. cable
  • Demonstrate proficiency in climbing skills
  • Explain basic electrical principles
  • Explain the power grid and power delivery system
  • Demonstrate skills in overhead construction according to Rural Electrification Administration (REA) standards
  • Demonstrate skills in underground construction according to Rural Electrification Administration (REA) standards
  • Demonstrate competence in transformer connections and three-phase banks
Annual Program Review

Check out the 2023-24 Annual Program Review for information on how faculty ensure the quality and effectiveness of the program.

Faculty

Travis Van Dyke

Instructor

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Mike Puetz

Program Director / Instructor

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Michael Plooster

Instructor

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Tom Osborne

Instructor

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Nicole Grosz

Instructor

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Cost

$ 4000
Program Tuition & Fees ⓘ

Other Required Costs

CDL$1,000
Books / Tools (estimated)$2,979

Scholarships

$750

1 AVAIL.

SD Municipal Electric Association Energy Production & Transmission Scholarship

SD Municipal Electric Association

All programs eligible.
Must be a resident of the SD Municipal Electric Association service area.

$500

2 AVAIL.

Central Electric Cooperative Scholarship

Central Electric Cooperative

Electrical Utilities & Substation
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Heating & Cooling
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Applicant must be a full-time student in the Electrical Utilities & Substation, Power Line Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Heating & Cooling, Agricultural Business or Agronomy program at Mitchell Technical College Applicant must maintain a 2.5 GPA Student must be a member or dependent of a member of Central Electric Cooperative based in Mitchell, SD Applicant must complete the MTC Online application to be eligible to receive this scholarship. Student must provide member name on account and Central Electric will verify membership status before recipient is announced

$1000

7 AVAIL.

Xcel Energy

Xcel Energy

The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to Power Line and Electrical Utilities and Substation recipients on their second semester account, and for Automation Controls/SCADA and Natural Gas Technology recipients accounts the following Fall semester.
Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicants must be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs: Power Line Electrical Utilities and Substation Automation Controls/SCADA Natural Gas Technology Wind Turbine Technology Applicant must complete the MTC Current student online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship.

$1000

1 AVAIL.

South Dakota Assoc. of Cooperatives Scholarship

The scholarship was established in 2013.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Business Management
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be an accepted full-time student enrolled at MTC in one of the programs mentioned Applicant must complete the MTC scholarship application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship First priority will be given to students with ties to a SDAC member cooperative Essay responses will be a large part of the recipient decision

$1000

4 AVAIL.

Osterhaus Endowed Scholarships

Martin and Maude Osterhaus established this endowed scholarship in 1995 to provide financial support for at least four deserving Mitchell Tech students each year. The scholarships will be awarded in January each year and applied to the recipient's account the following Fall semester.
Accounting
Agricultural Business
Agronomy
Animal Science
Architectural Design and Building Construction
Automation Controls/SCADA
Business Management
Culinary Academy of South Dakota
Diesel Power - Ag Power Technology
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Electrical Utilities & Substation Technology
Heating & Cooling Technology
Human Services Technician
Information Systems Technology
Machining and Manufacturing
Medical Assistant
Medical Laboratory Technology
Medical Office Professional
Medical Office Professional
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Power Sports & Marine Technology
Precision Ag Technology
Radiation Therapy
Radiologic Technology
Small Business Management
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Speech-Language Pathology Assistant
Utilities Technology
Wi-Fi & Broadband Technologies
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicant must be a currently enrolled first year full-time student in any two year program Applicant must demonstrate financial need as determined by the FAFSA (universal financial aid application form) Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher Applicant must complete the MTC online application during the open application period as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must have good leadership skills

$1000

5 AVAIL.

Northwestern Energy Scholarships

NorthWestern Energy has been an active supporter of Mitchell Tech through donations of scholarship funds and equipment since 2003. The scholarships will be awarded in January and applied to PL accounts the Spring semester and the following Fall semester for ECM, SCADA and WTT two-year program recipients.
Automation Controls/SCADA
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Natural Gas Technology
Power Line Construction & Maintenance
Wind Turbine Technology
Applicants can be first or second year students currently enrolled full-time in the following programs: Electrical Construction and Maintenance Power Line Construction and Maintenance SCADA Wind Turbine Technology - 2 year Natural Gas Technology Applicant must complete the MTC online application and submit references if required during the open application periods as instructed to be eligible for this scholarship Applicant must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above

Contact Admissions

For information about any of our programs, application, or any of our other student services please contact us:

Admissions Office
Mitchell Technical College
1800 E. Spruce St.
Mitchell, SD 57301

800.684.1969
605.995.3025
fax: 605.995.3067
[email protected]

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