The return of students to school each August signals a new beginning. For those of you are headed off to college or a trade school, you’re hopefully giving careful consideration to your future career. I encourage you to include electric cooperatives.
Evolving technology is changing how energy is generated and distributed through the electric grid to homes and businesses. Within the electric cooperative workforce, new skills and experience are going to be needed to help co-ops meet shifting market and consumer demands. There are a lot opportunities along a variety of avenues.
Lineworkers are the most visible employees of the co-op, but their responsibilities go far beyond climbing poles and repairing lines. They are also information experts who can quickly pinpoint an outage using GIS tools and restore power quickly and safely.
Experts in information technology are increasingly important to safeguard the grid and protect sensitive data. Engineers provide ongoing expertise and guidance on the operations side of the utility, particularly as system upgrades and more renewable energy choices become available.
Professionals communication and member services help co-ops engage members through multiple platforms, keeping them informed of critical information in today’s 24/7 media environment. Financial professionals ensure the co-op is borrowing and managing its capital wisely.
A career with an electric co-op is different than a job with an investor-owned electric utility. We are seeking individuals who understand the co-op difference and appreciate our mission-oriented operating principles.
We have a strong commitment to the communities we serve. Our member-elected board of directors make important decisions with the good of our community first and foremost in their minds. Bottom line: we don’t just work here, we live here too.
Simply put, we believe cooperatives build a better world, and we are going to be looking for talented people to join us. To learn more about electric co-op careers, visit tipmont.org/about.
