What advice do you have for current Corps Members? Now, as a part of a local Utility Workers Union, Bernard’s current General Utility Worker position allows him to also learn the skills of trade positions and discover where in the broader utility industry he can continue building his career. Before stepping into his current internal role at Con Edison in the spring of 2021, Bernard also had several other positions including at Aclara, with Franklin Energy via the Brooklyn Queens Demand Management “BQDM” program swapping energy-inefficient lightbulbs to reduce resident energy demand, and at the Association for Energy Affordability through Con Ed’s Multi-Family Energy Efficiency Program. After about a year in that opportunity, he transitioned to contracting with Con Ed upgrading smart meters. While Bernard was a GCF team leader, Franklin Energy was looking to hire an entire team from GCF and selected him as supervisor. Soft skills are real, you can apply them to everything that you do.” If it wasn’t for the skills GCF taught me, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So, being able to take what I learned and communicate it as basic knowledge…like explaining to residents/customers what kilowatt hours mean, or ‘this is how you’ll be saving’, or ‘this is what you are receiving’. provided me with the soft skills, the ability to present myself in a fashion where people feel that I’m approachable and knowledgeable.
You have to know how to speak to people and convey in an understandable way what you are doing in the community.
Prior to, my job was more outreach based. “A lot of this job and the jobs I had prior required me to use my soft skills to get the job done. How does your GCF experience help you in your position? “On an average day, a few people may ask what’s happening, especially when responding to emergencies.” Before long, it’s time to breakdown the setup, refuel the truck, and transition to the next site.
“We make sure we have all the supplies for the day, go over the job briefing and head out to our site.” Once there, he sets up a protection barrier before his partner, the “splicer,” goes into the manhole with the cable-cutting and cable-connecting machine that Bernard operates.
What does your typical work day look like?īernard usually starts his day by setting up a Department of Transportation sheet, checking his planned routes, taking a walkthrough of his truck, and testing its electronics and calibration.
Founded in 1823 as the New York Gas Light company, their electric, gas, and steam service now provides energy for the 10 million people who live in New York City and Westchester County.įor those unfamiliar with what exactly a general utility worker does, Bernard explains that, “in layman’s terms, a general utility worker is essentially, a helper…we’re the boots on the ground.” He says that, versatile in skill set, general utility workers are responsible for managing the utility systems and materials as well as maintaining public and Con Ed personnel safety. I learned a lot of not only technical skills but soft skills while I was in GCF as a Corps Member and as a team leader.” Bernard Smith Graduated: 2013, Cohort 6 From: Linden Houses, Brooklyn Current Position: General Utility Worker at Con Edison, Underground Department, Bronx and WestchesterĬon Edison operates one of the world’s largest energy delivery systems. “GCF is the reason why I am at where I am at.