Counterpoise General Foreman We are seeking an experienced Counterpoise General Foreman to lead field crews supporting electric transmission, distribution, and substation construction projects. This position will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and high-quality installation of counterpoise, grounding, and associated electrical infrastructure across multiple project sites. The Counterpoise General Foreman will provide direct field leadership to foremen, journeymen, operators, laborers, subcontractors, and other craft personnel while coordinating closely with Construction Managers, Superintendents, project teams, utility representatives, and inspectors. The ideal candidate has extensive hands-on experience with transmission line counterpoise and grounding systems, a strong understanding of utility construction practices, and demonstrated experience leading multiple crews in an active construction environment.
Key Responsibilities
Field Leadership & Crew Management:
Provide overall field leadership for counterpoise and grounding crews across assigned transmission, distribution, and substation projects.
Direct Foremen and field personnel in daily work activities, crew assignments, production goals, equipment utilization, and work sequencing.
Plan manpower, equipment, materials, and resources required to successfully execute scheduled work.
Coordinate daily and weekly construction activities with the Construction Manager and Superintendent.
Review construction drawings, grounding plans, specifications, work packages, and project requirements with field crews prior to execution.
Ensure crews understand daily scope, productivity expectations, safety requirements, and quality standards.
Monitor field productivity and identify opportunities to improve crew efficiency and project execution.
Mentor Foremen, Journeymen, and developing craft personnel while promoting accountability and teamwork.
Counterpoise & Grounding Installation:
Lead installation of transmission counterpoise and grounding systems in accordance with engineering drawings, specifications, utility standards, and approved construction procedures.
Oversee trenching, grounding conductor installation, grounding electrodes/rods, bonding, connections, terminations, backfill, and restoration activities.
Verify proper conductor routing, depth, spacing, connections, and installation methods prior to backfill.
Coordinate counterpoise installations around transmission structures, substations, underground utilities, and other existing infrastructure.
Ensure grounding connections and terminations are properly completed and documented.
Support grounding system testing, inspections, commissioning, and turnover activities.
Identify field conflicts or constructability issues and coordinate resolutions with project management and engineering.
Safety:
Maintain responsibility for safe execution of all assigned field activities.
Enforce OSHA requirements, company safety programs, utility-specific standards, and project safety procedures.
Lead and participate in daily job briefings, Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), toolbox talks, safety meetings, and pre-task planning.
Perform routine field safety walks and immediately address unsafe conditions or work practices.
Verify crews have appropriate PPE, tools, equipment, permits, and training before beginning work.
Promote a proactive safety culture in which employees are empowered to identify and correct potential hazards.
Coordinate work around energized facilities and existing utilities in accordance with applicable safety procedures and clearances.
Quality Control & Inspection:
Inspect counterpoise and grounding installations to verify compliance with engineering drawings, specifications, and utility standards.
Verify installation requirements prior to backfill or concealment of work.
Document inspections, deficiencies, corrective actions, and completed work.
Coordinate with project quality personnel, inspectors, engineers, and utility representatives as required.
Ensure proper testing and documentation of grounding systems prior to project turnover.
Assist with punch-list completion, final inspections, commissioning, and closeout activities.
Scheduling & Project Coordination:
Assist with development and execution of construction schedules and short-term look-ahead schedules.
Establish daily and weekly production targets and monitor progress against project milestones.
Communicate schedule impacts, field conditions, material shortages, equipment issues, and other potential delays to project leadership.
Coordinate subcontractors, equipment operators, material deliveries, inspections, and other field activities.
Maintain accurate daily reports documenting manpower, equipment, quantities installed, production, weather conditions, delays, and significant field activities.
Review and verify personnel timecards and field documentation.
Track materials and ensure adequate inventory is available to support scheduled construction activities.
Maintain organized, clean, and safe project sites, staging areas, and material storage locations.
Qualifications:
7+ years of electric utility, transmission, distribution, substation, or heavy electrical construction experience required.
Demonstrated experience leading field crews as a General Foreman, Foreman, Counterpoise Lead, or similar field leadership position.
Significant hands-on experience installing counterpoise, grounding, and bonding systems for transmission lines and/or substations.
Journeyman Lineman, Journeyman Electrician, or equivalent electrical utility construction background strongly preferred.
Strong knowledge of transmission line construction, grounding systems, counterpoise installation, and utility construction practices.
Experience coordinating multiple crews, subcontractors, equipment, and field activities.
Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, grounding plans, specifications, utility standards, and work packages.
Working knowledge of grounding system testing, inspection, and commissioning requirements.
Strong understanding of OSHA regulations and electrical utility construction safety practices.
Knowledge of F5 safety requirements and utility-specific safety programs preferred.
Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to effectively communicate with craft personnel, project management, engineers, inspectors, subcontractors, and utility representatives.
Ability to maintain accurate field reports and construction documentation.
Valid driver's license required.
Ability and willingness to travel extensively—up to 100% depending on project assignments.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience supporting major electric utility or EPC transmission and substation programs.
Experience supervising multiple counterpoise or grounding crews simultaneously.
Experience with transmission structure grounding, substation grounding grids, bonding, testing, and commissioning.
Familiarity with underground utility identification, excavation, trenching, and safe digging practices.
OSHA 30 or equivalent utility construction safety training.
Experience working in energized utility environments and coordinating activities around existing transmission and substation facilities.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate is a seasoned utility construction professional who combines hands-on counterpoise and grounding expertise with strong field leadership ability. This individual understands how to safely manage crews, equipment, materials, production, and quality while maintaining an aggressive construction schedule. They are comfortable making field decisions, identifying potential problems before they affect production, holding crews accountable to safety and quality expectations, and communicating effectively with both craft personnel and project leadership. The successful candidate will bring a safety-first mentality, strong knowledge of transmission construction, and the leadership skills necessary to drive multiple crews toward successful project completion.
