Power lines supervisor
Also known as: overhead power lines construction supervisor, overhead power lines installation supervisor, cable installation supervisor, cable installer supervisor, power lines installation supervisor, electric powerline technician supervisor
About this occupation
Power lines supervisors monitor the construction and maintenance of power lines and associated equipment. They assign tasks and take quick decisions to resolve problems.
A specialisation of construction general supervisor.
Essential skills and knowledge
- electrical discharge
- check compatibility of materials
- follow health and safety procedures in construction
- test procedures in electricity transmission
- evaluate employees work
- ensure safety in electrical power operations
- keep records of work progress
- prevent damage to utility infrastructure
- inspect underground power cables
- use safety equipment in construction
- advise on safety improvements
- enforce safety procedures when working at heights
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers (O*NET 49-9051.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Adhere to safety practices and procedures, such as checking equipment regularly and erecting barriers around work areas.
- Drive vehicles equipped with tools and materials to job sites.
- Open switches or attach grounding devices to remove electrical hazards from disturbed or fallen lines or to facilitate repairs.
- Climb poles or use truck-mounted buckets to access equipment.
- Install, maintain, and repair electrical distribution and transmission systems, including conduits, cables, wires, and related equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, and switches.
- Inspect and test power lines and auxiliary equipment to locate and identify problems, using reading and testing instruments.
- Typical education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Investigative
Top skills: Active Listening, Troubleshooting, Monitoring, Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Critical Thinking
US median pay: US$95,320 a year (2025), 131,070 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionVery important (3.6)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.4)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.3)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers
- Helpers--Electricians
- Electricians
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
- Hoist and Winch Operators
- Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation Equipment
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Riggers
- Power Distributors and Dispatchers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.