Career Opportunity

Line Inspector – Citywide (6252) - (T00133)

Recruitment: REF49419S

Published: March 24, 2025

Apply using SmartRecruiters, the City and County of San Francisco's application portal.

About:

THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM.

The purpose of this announcement is to create an eligible list which will be used to fill future vacancies in this classification.

San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.

Application Opening: March 24, 2025

Deadline to Apply: Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as this announcement may close any time after 11:59 PM on April 04, 2025.

Compensation Range:  $133,250 - $162,006 annually

Recruitment ID: CBT-6252-T00133/ REF49419S

Role description

Under general supervision, makes inspections of overhead and underground power lines and communication lines and /or street-lighting structures to assure compliance with applicable codes and laws; and performs related duties as required.

Essential Duties

According to the Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Inspects overhead and underground power lines, communications lines, and/or street-lighting structures for conformance with existing codes and laws; inspects electrical installation in various districts for violations of electrical codes.
2. Inspects scaffolding and similar structures erected on streets and sidewalks to assure   compliance with electrical codes and safety regulations.
3. Inspects fire escape installations in overhead line districts to assure compliance with codes and safety orders.
4. Prepares, reviews, evaluates and submits a variety of documents such as reports, maps, memos, and letters on all inspectional activities using a computer and associated software.
5. Explains, interprets and enforces existing codes and laws pertaining to overhead and underground power lines and circuits, communication lines, and/or street-lighting structures.
6. Makes regular contact with departmental personnel, outside organizations and representatives, and the general public.

Nature of work: Requires considerable physical effort and dexterity in the use of fingers, limbs and body; normal color vision; use of ladders and aerial lift bucket; lift objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds to waist level; work outdoors in all types of weather. Incumbents may be required to work on energized equipment and cables, in confined, underground or elevated areas and in inclement weather, in heavy traffic and at heights; may work with toxic/hazardous substances; work in a 7 day/24-hour operation; wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); may be required to work day, swing or night shifts, including weekends and holidays.

How to qualify

Experience: Five (5) years of full-time verifiable journey level experience, in the installation, construction, maintenance and repair of overhead and underground power lines: AND

Education: Requires possession of a high school diploma, General Education Diploma or California High School Proficiency Certificate: AND

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the time of appointment

Special Condition: Some positions may require five (5) years of journey-level experience in the installation, construction, and maintenance high voltage (600 volts and above) catenary systems. 

The above minimum qualifications reflect special conditions associated with the position(s) to be filled. They may differ from the standard minimum qualifications associated with this class code. 

Every application is reviewed to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications as listed in the job ad. Please review our articles on Employment Application and Minimum Qualifications and Verification of Experience and/or Education for considerations taken when reviewing applications. 

Selection Process:

(General Exam Process Information) 

After application submission, candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process, which includes the following:

Exam Components:

Written Multiple-Choice Examination (Weight - 100%)

Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to a written multiple-choice examination that is designed to measure knowledge, skills and/or abilities in job-related areas which may include but not limited to: knowledge of advanced level of electrical theory and its application to overhead and underground power lines, communication lines, and/or street-lighting installations; knowledge of codes and laws applicable to overhead and underground power lines communication lines, and /or street-lighting installations; knowledge of applicable safety regulations and procedures and safe use of tools and equipment; knowledge of construction methods particularly as applied to overhead line construction projects; ability to read and interpret electrical and line installation plans and specifications; ability to deal tactfully with others; and ability to review requests and provide recommendations.

This is a standardized examination and, therefore, test questions and test answers are not available for public inspection or review.

For your reference, a Multiple-Choice Test Preparation Manual is available on the DHR website: http://www.sfdhr.org/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=18426.

What else should I know?

Eligibility List/Score Report:

A confidential eligible list of applicant names that have passed the civil service examination process will be created, and used for certification purposes only. An examination score report will be established, so applicants can view the ranks, final scores and number of eligible candidates. Applicant information, including names of applicants on the eligible list, shall not be made public unless required by law. However, an eligible list shall be made available for public inspection, upon request, once the eligible list is exhausted or expired and referrals resolved. The eligible list/score report resulting from this civil service examination process is subject to change after adoption (e.g., as a result of appeals), as directed by the Director of Human Resources or the Civil Service Commission.

The duration of the eligible list resulting from this examination process will be 24 months and may be extended with the approval of the Director of Human Resources.

Terms of Announcement:

Applicants must be guided solely by the provisions of this announcement, including requirements, time periods and other particulars, except when superseded by federal, state or local laws, rules or regulations.  [Note: The correction of clerical errors in an announcement may be posted on the Department of Human Resources website at https://careers.sf.gov/.] 

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 110.4.  Such appeals must be submitted in writing to the Department of Human Resources, 1 S Van Ness Avenue, 4th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94103-5413 by close of business on the 5th business day following the issuance date of this examination announcement.  Information concerning other Civil Service Commission Rules involving announcements, applications and examination policies, including applicant appeal rights, can be found on the Civil Service Commission website at Civil Service Commission | San Francisco (sf.gov)

Medical Examination/Drug Testing: 

Candidates who are being considered for appointment may be required to pass a medical examination. Candidates who cannot meet the medical requirement will be placed under waiver until this requirement is met. The medical examination will be administered only to those applicants who are being considered for appointment.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has determined that 6252 Line Inspector is a “safety-sensitive” position, under regulations issued by the Federal Transit Administration (49 CFR Part 655). Federal law requires that all transit employees who perform safety-sensitive functions be subject to random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing. All applicants for Safety-Sensitive positions shall undergo urine drug testing prior to employment and within 90 days prior to performing Safety-Sensitive functions for the first time. Receipt by the SFMTA of a negative test result is required prior to the employee being placed on the payroll. A positive, adulterated, negative dilute or substituted test will result in a decision not to hire, and the applicant’s name will be removed from the list of eligibles for Safety-Sensitive positions. The SFMTA will not consider hiring any person who tested positive, adulterated, substituted or refused to submit to testing for a minimum of two years following the positive test.

In addition, each applicant who has worked for a Department of Transportation (DOT) – regulated employer(s) within the last two years will be required to sign a consent form, prior to appointment, authorizing SFMTA to obtain information from their prior employers concerning their drug and alcohol test history. Each applicant will also be required to provide SFMTA with information regarding whether, during the last two years, the applicant tested positive or refused to test on any pre-employment drug or alcohol test administered by an employer to which the applicant applied for, but did not obtain, safety-sensitive transportation work covered by DOT drug and alcohol testing rules. SFMTA will not hire any applicant for a safety-sensitive position who fails to provide this information or fails to provide written consent for the release of information from prior employers.

Additional Information Regarding  Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview 
• Equal Employment Opportunity
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

How to Apply:

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process.

1. Visit https://careers.sf.gov/
2. Type “6252” into the "Search by class or keyword" field
3. Click the link to open the job ad
4. Select the “Apply Now" button and follow instructions on the screen 

Applicants will receive a confirmation email from notification@careers.sf.gov that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Exam Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding the Exam Process, please contact the exam analyst, Renee.Strain@sfmta.com. RS I CBT-6252-T00133 I E

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.