People’s Energy Cooperative (PEC) invites applications from qualified electric utility leaders for the position of Director of Engineering in Oronoco, MN and has selected Dairyland Power Cooperative to facilitate the search process.

PEC is a growing Touchstone Energy® electric distribution cooperative with nearly 25,000 services in Southeast Minnesota. For the past three years PEC won an award for being one of the best places to work in Southeast Minnesota. PEC’s mission is to bring value to our member-owners and communities by providing reliable electricity, superior customer service, and innovative energy solutions at fair and reasonable prices. Our vision is to be a trusted energy resource for our members, an employer of choice, and a respected business partner with our communities.

The Director of Engineering must be well-versed in PEC’s distribution system and its operation and is responsible for directing, planning, coordinating, engineering, and evaluating the system to ensure it meets standards and reflects the most efficient utilization of construction and operation methods, techniques, and equipment. The Director of Engineering also evaluates, enhances, and implements a comprehensive long-term reliability plan for the electric plant to ensure highly efficient operations and a high level of electric service reliability for our members.

The impact you’ll make in this role as Director of Engineering includes:

• Acting as an integral member of PEC’s executive team, reporting directly to the President and CEO

• Providing strong leadership and oversight to Engineering, GIS Mapping Technicians, Distributed Energy Coordinator, and Field and Staking team members

• Developing and recommending the annual department work plan and budget while monitoring for compliance and effectiveness and ensuring the President & CEO is kept up-to-date

• Directing and overseeing all engineering, GIS and SCADA systems, activities, and programs to obtain maximum productivity, effectiveness, and safety practices in the development and execution of work plans, strategic goals, and objectives

• Overseeing load, voltage, and power requirement and other operational studies and departmental work plans to ensure adequate system capacity, service reliability, and workplace and public safety

• Developing, implementing, evaluating, and reporting work standards for all phases of line construction and maintenance to ensure compliance with RUS engineering and construction standards

• Establishing and maintaining system performance criteria and metrics and then reviewing measures to determine alignment with system reliability and power quality goals

• Maintaining a current knowledge and understanding of RUS, NESC, and other applicable standards and regulations to ensure that the Cooperative’s distribution, and general plant facilities are designed, constructed, and operated in a safe and efficient manner

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role, PEC requires, at a minimum, the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Electrical Engineering or related field.

• Minimum of 10 years related work experience, five years of experience working for an electrical utility, and five years of progressive management experience preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.

• Willing to complete the NRECA Management Internship Program (MIP) within two years of hire.

• Thorough working knowledge of power system engineering principles, distribution system design, construction, and operations.

• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret relevant industry standards and regulations, such as the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and the Rural Utility Services (RUS) engineering and construction standards.

• Highest levels of ethics, authenticity, and integrity.

• Proven leadership skills, business acumen, and strong people management skills.

• Strong computer skills in all Microsoft Office products.

• Ability to develop and maintain good working relationships with the management team, employees, associated organizations, and professional service providers.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation skills.

With headquarters in La Crosse, Wis., Dairyland is a generation and transmission cooperative that provides wholesale energy for 24 electric distribution cooperatives and 17 municipal utilities in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.

At Dairyland, we know that happy employees are the backbone of any good organization. By offering an excellent compensation and benefits package, opportunities for career growth and a supportive environment, Dairyland helps ensure a quality business and premier workplace.

Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.