Utility Power Line Inspector - Overhead Distribution Inspection (ODI)

About C2 Group

C2 Group is a San Diego-based, woman-owned engineering and program management firm that has been redefining how utilities approach infrastructure since 2016. We have inspected over one million utility structures, pioneered one of the first utility drone inspection programs in California, and built a team of 150 professionals who operate at the intersection of field expertise and technology. Our clients include the largest investor-owned utilities in the country, and our work directly supports wildfire mitigation, grid reliability, and public safety across the Western U.S.

We are not a staffing company that deploys bodies. We are a firm that builds inspectors, invests in people, and delivers results that our clients trust. If you want to work somewhere that values precision, rewards initiative, and gives you a real career path, keep reading.

The Role

We are hiring experienced Utility Power Line Inspectors for an overhead distribution inspection (ODI) program in Southern California. You will operate as a one-person field unit, performing comprehensive 360-degree visual inspections of electric utility distribution structures. This is a road-based role: you will work across Southern California, moving between circuits and territories as the program requires.

You will be part of a structured team supported by onsite supervisors, safety management, QA/QC personnel, and a back-office data support team. While you work independently in the field, you are never operating alone.

What You Will Do

• Perform detailed 360-degree visual inspections of overhead distribution structures including wood monopoles, light-duty steel poles, tubular steel poles, wood H-frames, and combination structures.
• Identify and document deficiencies including exempt and non-exempt equipment conditions, conductor clearance violations, damaged equipment/structures/hardware, building and ground clearance violations, and imminent hazardous conditions.
• Apply California General Order 95 and General Order 165 minimum standards throughout every inspection.
• Create structure and equipment deficiency reports (notifications) using iPad-based field tools, with clear, detailed, and accurate documentation.
• Update GIS records to reflect current field conditions with accuracy and consistency.
• Maintain a high standard of data quality, meeting or exceeding QA/QC benchmarks throughout the inspection cycle.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum 2 years of experience (3 preferred) in one or more of the following: electrical transmission/distribution line work, groundsman work, or utility inspections.
• Working knowledge of overhead electrical distribution systems, components, hardware, and common failure modes.
• Familiarity with California G.O. 95 and G.O. 165 standards, or demonstrated ability to learn and apply regulatory inspection criteria quickly.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation. This role requires daily travel across Southern California.
• Comfort working independently in varied field conditions: weather, terrain, access challenges, and long days.

What Sets Strong Candidates Apart

• Prior experience with utility inspection programs for California IOUs (SCE, PG&E, SDG&E) or similar utilities.
• Demonstrated proficiency with iPad-based data collection tools and GIS applications.
• Strong written communication skills, particularly in creating clear, defensible inspection reports.
• Integrity, attention to detail, and the judgment to identify and escalate critical findings in real time.
• A growth mindset. We invest in people who want to learn, lead, and expand their technical capabilities over time.

Training

C2 Group provides up to two weeks of intensive training combining office-based instruction and field deployment. Training covers safety protocols, situational awareness, C2's inspection methodologies, damage identification standards, and documentation requirements. Upon completion, you will deploy directly to active inspection circuits. Our QA/QC and supervisory teams continue to support your development beyond initial training.

Work Schedule and Location

• This is a full-time, field-based role operating on the road across Southern California.
• Schedules align with client requirements, utility commission-mandated deadlines, and seasonal inspection milestones.
• Shifts may range from 8 to 12 hours depending on program phase, with standard Monday through Friday scheduling and occasional weekend availability as needed.

Work Location: On the road