Consider an Electric Cooperative Career

The search for a purposeful career can begin and end at your local electric cooperative because working toward a greater purpose is at the heart of the co-op business model. Electric co-ops are community-focused organizations that deliver safe, reliable and affordable energy to the consumer-members they serve.

Electric co-ops need a variety of skill sets to develop new technologies and infrastructure, keep the electric grid secure and power the lives and economy of our local communities.

Check out the job openings below. You may also post your résumé and search for employment with other Kansas electric cooperatives — and electric cooperatives in other states — by visiting our online nationwide Career Center.

KEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. KEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

 

 

KEC Summer Intern

 Position Overview

The KEC Summer Intern will work on a variety of hands-on, portfolio building projects that support the rural electric cooperatives in Kansas. Your responsibilities could include such varied and engaging tasks as assisting with the publication of a monthly magazine and newsletter, providing event support for youth programs, updating government relations databases, providing administrative assistance such as answering phones and routing mail, scanning archive files, and more.

 

This internship offers flexible start/end dates and will take into account your class schedule should you have summer classes. The position works from the Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. headquarters in Topeka. Hours are flexible, but will be scheduled during business hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday).

 

Skills & Knowledge to be Gained

  • Hands-on experience in a variety of activities across several departments
  • Opportunity to be published in a statewide magazine and newsletter
  • Build your portfolio by creating great projects
  • Real world practice of meeting deadlines and multi-tasking

 

Requirements

Essential

  • Junior or Senior in college majoring in communications, journalism, political science, event management, office administration, or other related field
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to analyze documents and categorize content
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Cheerful, friendly, upbeat outlook

Helpful

  • Track record of working well on team projects
  • Familiarity with Kansas and rural living
  • Knowledge of AP Style Guide

 

To Apply

Please send a letter of interest and resume to Shana Read at sread@kec.org, or mail to Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc., PO Box 4267, Topeka, KS 66604. Start and end dates will be based on the successful applicant’s academic schedule. Position will remain open until filled.

 

About Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

KEC is the Kansas statewide service organization for 27 electric distribution cooperatives and three generation and transmission cooperatives. Formed on August 18, 1941, and headquartered in Topeka, KEC represents the interests and provides needed services and programs to the electric co-ops that serve Kansans. For more information, visit www.kec.coop or find us on Facebook.

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Candidates must complete an Application for Employment and attach a resume; resumes will not be accepted as an application.  Applications may be obtained on our website: www.highplainspower.org.  All applications should be directed to: Angela Wallace, Human Resources, via mail at P.O. Box 713, Riverton, WY 82501, fax 307-856-4207, or email awallace@highplainspower.org.  Applications accepted until April 30, 2021.  High Plains Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Information Systems Specialist II

 

 

Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

Topeka, Kansas

 

 

ONLINE JOB POSTING:

 

Information Systems Specialist II

 

Company: Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo)
Job Classification: Exempt, Full-Time
Location: Topeka, KS

KEPCo is a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) electric cooperative headquartered in Topeka, Kansas. It is KEPCo's responsibility to procure an adequate and reliable power supply for its 18 rural electric distribution cooperative members at a reasonable cost.


Primary Accountability:
The Information Systems Specialist II is responsible for reviewing, analyzing, evaluating, and supporting a wide variety of information technology systems and services for KEPCo. The position also provides support to KEPCo’s operations in the Load Monitoring Center. This position is responsible for the general maintenance of computer equipment, network administration, development/maintenance of software/databases, resolution of identified technical problems, SCADA system administration, telecommunication system administration, and supporting daily operations in the Load Monitoring Center. This position is also responsible for providing analyses of data as needed by KEPCo.

 

*** Accepting applicants through: March 17, 2021***

 

Read the full description and apply: https://www.hrpartnersks.com/jobs/1504-kepco-issll

The General Manager is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Cooperative by working with the Board of Trustees and Management to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies. This position is also responsible for administering all the Cooperative’s programs including policy administration, personnel management, strategic planning, human resources, operations, billing and finance. The General Manager will exercise high-level skills of problem solving and decision-making in matters which have a major impact on the on-going success of the Cooperative.

 

To Learn more, and to apply, visit: https://www.hrpartnersks.com/jobs/1527-doniphan-electric-cooperative-general-manager

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General Manager
Niobrara Valley Electric Membership Corporation
O’Neill, NE


The Board of Directors of Niobrara Valley Electric Membership Corporation is seeking a collaborative individual with a high level of analytical skills and broad industry knowledge to lead the cooperative into the future as their next GM. Niobrara Valley EMC has retained NRECA Executive Search to facilitate the search process.


Niobrara Valley is a member-owned, non-profit distribution cooperative that provides electric services to Boyd, Holt and Knox counties in Nebraska. Niobrara Valley has 2,733 members, with approximately 6,300 meters. The cooperative employs 22 employees.


Successful GM candidates will have a background working in an electric distribution cooperative, municipal or public power utility environment, with a strong focus on safety and an understanding of legislative issues at the state, regional and national level. If you are an analytical leader with strong decision-making skills and you understand the importance of collaborating with others, these attributes will set you apart from other candidates.


Candidates should have broad electric utility management experience and knowledge that includes such areas as finance; engineering, operations, and safety; a demonstrated ability to work through others, and a background in external involvement and leadership.


Niobrara Valley GM qualifications and competencies:
• Demonstrated leadership and management skills
• Industry knowledge and leadership with a focus on legislative issues that may impact the cooperative
• Strong understanding of financial matters
• Ability to implement initiatives such as AMI
• Strong communication skills with the board, employees, and members
• Strong knowledge of technology
• Collaborative
• Focus on developing others
• Understanding that safety is a top priority


A bachelor’s degree in business administration, electrical engineering, accounting and finance, or related degree plus a minimum of five plus years of experience in the electric utility industry with a minimum of one to five years of leadership experience is required; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

O’Neill is a friendly small community with well-regarded schools, a hospital, and approximately 3,700 residents. This area is known for great hunting, fishing, and is only an hour away from the Missouri River where people can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. O’Neill has a small airport and several golf courses in the area. It is also home to the O’Neill campus of Northeast Community College.


Niobrara Valley is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the NRECA defined benefit pension plan and 401(k) savings plan. The Cooperative also has an excellent PPO medical plan along with competitive vacation and sick time. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Interested parties should apply via the careers page at electric.coop with following: 1) Cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) contact information for 3 professional references. Applications must be received by May 31, 2021. If you have any additional questions, please contact Delaine Orendorff at delaine.orendorff@nreca.coop.
All replies are confidential.

BROWN-ATCHISON SEEKS GENERAL MANAGER 

The Brown-Atchison Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., Board of Trustees seeks applicants for a general manager. The successful candidate will replace the current manager who is scheduled to retire in January 2022. 

 

Brown-Atchison seeks a general manager who will bring compelling vision and strong leadership skills to ensure continued success and positive organizational progress. The general manager sets the professional tone for the entire organization and is expected to consistently elevate performance metrics, financial results, and service delivery for the benefit of members. He or she must also be an effective communicator who will work collaboratively and transparently with Brown-Atchison’s nine-member Board, employees, and members. The general manager will lead ab10-person workforce. 

The ideal candidate will be an experienced utility industry manager who can build upon Brown-Atchison's record of safety, reliability, and value. The Board seeks candidates who possess excellent people skills and a strong commitment to member service and the cooperative principles. Fully qualified candidates will possess a broad understanding and/or experience in power supply, finance and accounting, rates, engineering and operations, and Board relations. Candidates must possess unquestionable ethics and integrity. 

 

The cooperative offers a salary commensurate with qualifications and representative of the market along with a comprehensive benefits package. Interested parties should apply with the following: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) contact information for three professional references and submitted to Board President Kevin Gigstad at kevingigstad@gmail.com. Position will remain open until filled. 

  

THE CO-OP: Brown-Atchison is a member-owned rural electric cooperative headquartered in Horton, Kansas, that provides electric service to approximately 3,280 member-consumers in Northeast Kansas. 

Brown-Atchison has the unique distinction of being the first Rural Electric Administration (REA) financed project in the state of Kansas. In December of 1936, a representative from the REA in Washington, D.C., held a meeting in Horton to explain the benefits of forming an electric cooperative. The rural residents in the communities surrounding Horton were then surveyed to see who those potential users of electricity were in the area. The results were so positive that in early 1937 plans were submitted to the REA and the first power pole was erected and dedicated on November 10, 1937. 

 

Brown-Atchison serves three casinos and a school district. The co-op receives its power from Kansas Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (KEPCo), a not-for-profit generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative headquartered in Topeka, Kansas. KEPCo’s power supply resources consist of 70 MW of owned generation from Wolf Creek Generating Station, 30 MW of owned generation from Iatan 2 Generating Plant, 20 MW of owned generation from Sharpe Generating Station, hydro allocations consisting of 100 MW from the Southwestern Power Administration and 13 MW from the Western Area Power Administration, 1 MW of owned generation from Prairie Sky Solar Farm, and partial requirement power purchases from regional utilities. 

  

THE COMMUNITY: Brown-Atchison's headquarters are in Horton, Kanas, which has an estimated population under 2,000. The town is situated approximately 57 miles northeast of Topeka, Kansas, 64 miles northwest of Kansas City, MO, and 99 miles southeast of Lincoln, Nebraska.  

Horton offers a low cost-of-living, small-town atmosphere, good schools, a stable economy, a new aquatic park, and year-round activities at Mission Lake. 

Top 10 Reasons To Consider a Co-op Career

There are many ways to earn a paycheck, but some are more rewarding than others. Here are 10 reasons to consider joining the electric cooperative family.

10. Tech-focused

The electricity industry is at the leading edge of a global energy revolution. Rapid advances in renewable generation, energy storage and smart grid technologies will change the way we use electricity. If you work at an electric cooperative, you can be part of this once-in-a-lifetime industry transformation.

9. Business on a human scale

Cooperatives hold themselves to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity while still maintaining a close-knit, family-friendly working environment. Decisions are made locally by managers who know employees by name, not halfway across the country in some corporate headquarters. Their smaller size and local control also gives co-ops more flexibility to innovate and try new ideas to improve the service they provide.

8. Support a clean environment

Electricity is one of our cleanest energy sources, and as technology improves, electric cars, next-generation heating and cooling systems, home automation and other forms of environmentally beneficial electrification will reduce our reliance on less efficient forms of energy.

7. Retirement security

It might seem a long way off today, but we all need to plan for retirement. Co-op employees deliver a valuable service to their communities, and they’re rewarded for that dedication with outstanding retirement benefits.

6. National reach

America’s 900-plus electric cooperatives serve 47 states and 56 percent of our nation’s landmass. So whether you want to stay in your hometown or explore another part of the country, odds are good that there will be an electric cooperative nearby.

5. Stability

There are no guarantees in life, but some bets are safer than others. Electronics play a critical and growing role in our daily lives, and as our reliance on technology increases, so too will our demand for electricity. As long as we need electricity, we’ll need workers to ensure it is safe, reliable and affordable.

4. Principles, not profit

When you work for an electric cooperative, you’re not helping some out-of-towner get richer. You’re working to serve your friends, family and neighbors who collectively own the cooperative.

3. Join a global movement

As a member of the co-op family, you’re part of something much larger than yourself. The cooperative movement represents a human-centered, ethically driven way of doing business. More than 250 million people around the world earn their living working in cooperatives, and the cooperative economy generates approximately $2.5 trillion in global economic activity each year.

2. Competitive pay

You won’t get rich working for your local electric co-op, but you’ll enjoy excellent pay and benefits that can help you and the people you love achieve the American dream.

1. Build a stronger community

Safe, reliable and affordable energy is critical to the health and prosperity of a community. Electric cooperatives power our homes, schools, farms and businesses, and keep rural America connected to the global economy.