Field Distribution Specialist 1

Job Title: Field Distribution Specialist I

Job Description

This role focuses on supporting electric distribution projects by performing field data collection, staking, and entry-level design activities for utility infrastructure. You will spend most of your time in the field gathering detailed information on poles, lines, and equipment, while also contributing to design packages and project documentation from a remote home office. As you develop in the role, your responsibilities will progressively shift toward more design-focused work and advanced utility distribution tasks.

Responsibilities

• Perform frequent field visits throughout South Carolina to collect detailed utility infrastructure data.
• Conduct staking activities for electric distribution projects, including easements and joint use considerations.
• Gather pole, line, and equipment information using field collection software and approved tools.
• Document existing field conditions thoroughly and provide accurate measurements for design and construction purposes.
• Support utility relocation projects, including Department of Transportation (DOT) utility relocation efforts.
• Assist Sr. Field Distribution Specialists with day-to-day project execution and deliverables.
• Work directly with electric cooperatives and utility customers to support distribution projects and field activities.
• Create and update design packages as experience and proficiency increase, transitioning into more design-focused work over time.
• Coordinate with engineers, designers, and field crews to ensure accurate and timely project execution.
• Assist with permitting activities and preparation of project documentation as required by utilities and regulatory bodies.
• Participate in the development of construction packages, including drawings, details, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain strict compliance with utility standards, safety requirements, and applicable guidelines during all field and office activities.
• Use maps, utility prints, and construction documents to plan field visits and verify existing conditions.
• Communicate clearly with internal teams and external stakeholders to report progress, field findings, and potential issues.
• Effectively manage time and tasks while working independently in the field, ensuring assigned work is completed accurately and on schedule.

Essential Skills

• 2-5 years of experience in utilities, field services, electric distribution, construction, telecommunications, or a related field.
• Proven experience working outdoors and collecting field data in varying conditions.
• Comfort working independently in the field while managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Strong communication skills for interacting with internal teams, electric cooperatives, and utility customers.
• Ability to read and interpret maps, utility prints, and construction documents.
• Strong organizational skills to manage documentation, measurements, and project information.
• Good customer interaction skills and a professional demeanor in the field.
• Willingness to learn utility design principles and grow into more design-focused responsibilities.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation suitable for traveling throughout South Carolina.
• Comfortable traveling across the state on a regular basis for field assignments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Electric utility distribution experience, including familiarity with distribution line work and utility poles.
• Utility staking experience, including experience with easements and joint use considerations.
• Distribution design experience or exposure to distribution design processes.
• Experience or knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Experience with pole loading analysis software such as Futura, SPIDAcal, or similar tools.
• Fulcrum software experience for field data collection.
• Futura experience related to utility design or asset management.
• Back ground in utility construction, particularly electric distribution construction.
• DOT utility relocation experience, especially coordinating electric facilities around transportation projects.
• Previous work experience with electric cooperatives.
• Desire for professional growth, with interest in progressing from entry-level field responsibilities into more hands-on design work within 6-12 months.

Work Environment

This is a remote role based in South Carolina, ideally in or near the Columbia area, with approximately 80% of your time spent in the field and 20% in design and documentation work from a home office. You will travel across the state using your own vehicle initially to visit sites, perform staking, and secure easements, with the potential to receive a company vehicle after the first few months. The position involves frequent interaction with local electric cooperatives and utility stakeholders, as well as collaboration with engineers, designers, and field crews using field collection software and related tools. The work environment combines independent field work in outdoor conditions with remote, computer-based design and documentation tasks, offering a clear growth path into more design-focused responsibilities over time.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbia, SC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $25.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.