Job Specifications
District Office: Manchester, IA
Work Location: Starting from company assigned vehicle.
Call Out Area: 20 - Langworthy
Residency Requirement: Must reside within 20 miles of Langworthy, Iowa.
Black Hills Energy is people powered and purpose driven. Our team uses the power of energy to improve life for over one million customers in 800+ communities across the West and Midwest. We seek talented, caring people who embody our core values and contribute to a culture of inclusion and growth. As an organization, we believe the best part of working on our team is our commitment to making tomorrow better than today—for our customers, communities and each other.
Position summary:
The Associate Operations Technician is a two-year development program which allows for entry into an Operations Technician role for an applicant who does not have the requisite experience. Once the training period is completed and satisfactory skills are demonstrated through Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) and the Operator Qualification (OQ) process, the Associate automatically moves into an Operations role.
If the candidate is already qualified for the Operations Technician position, they can begin at that level. The overall purpose of this position is to know and understand the principles of natural gas and distribution system to ensure safe delivery of natural gas from town border stations to the customers our company serves. Perform maintenance, repair, construction, and emergency activities to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the natural gas distribution system. May be assigned to perform maintenance and repair activities, construction activities, or a combination of maintenance and construction as directed.
Pay Range: Determined by the current Collective Bargaining Agreement
Associate Operations Technician: $27.85 - $30.70 per hour.
Operations Technician: $32.86 - $43.24 per hour.
Reporting Relationship: Gas Operations Supervisor
District Office Location: Manchester, Iowa
Essential Functions:
- Utilizes e¿ective verbal and written communication skills.
- Exercises e¿ective interpersonal skills with colleagues and customers.
- Follows all safety rules and keep work areas in clean condition.
- Displays excellent communication and interpersonal skills to develop working relationships with maintenance and operations personnel in a team environment.
- Has the ability to read meters accurately for proper customer billing.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Attend safety meetings and other employee training as assigned.
- May participate in community relations activities.
- Must comply with Company's Motor Vehicle Operation Policy and Procedure.
What Is Required:
Associate Operations Technician:
- High School Diploma or equivalent
- Must hold and be able to maintain a valid Driver's License upon hire.
- Ability to gain Commercial Driver's License (CDL) as part of future career trajectory.
- Inspector Joiner Certification - Ability to obtain and maintain within 1 year.
- Commitment to working safely.
- Resides within designated location in accordance with Article 21 of the collective bargaining agreement.
Operations Technician:
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Three (3) years gas operations or equivalent work (technician level) experience.
- Must hold and be able to maintain a valid Driver's License upon hire.
- Ability to acquire and maintain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) and/or Hazmat endorsement.
- Thorough knowledge of natural gas distribution system, policies, and procedures per company O&M manual.
- Good oral and written communications skills.
- Ability to work outside in all weather extremes.
- Ability to effectively communicate with customers.
- Ability to use hand tools, test equipment, CGI /gas detectors, pressure gauges, line locators.
- Ability to operate major equipment including trenchers backhoes, tapping, and stopping devices.
- Ability to read maps and prints, layouts and fabricate work.
- Ability to work/walking outside constantly lifting and digging.
- Must be team oriented.
- Demonstration of strong work ethic.
- This position requires driving responsibilities. You must hold and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record that meets company and insurer standards.
- This role will be required to travel up to 10% of the time.
What Is Desired:
- Gas Operations degree
- Team player mindset with ability to communicate effectively with peers and management
- Strong customer service focus
- Knowledge of principles of natural gas.
- Mechanical skills.
- Good decision-making skills.
- Creative thinking on own with little supervision.
- Decision-making skills related to safe operation of natural gas distribution system.
- Ability to maintain customer on our service program and to sell new products and services as they become available.
This description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, duties, and requirements for employees in this position. Job descriptions may and do change periodically. Where positions are covered by a collective bargaining unit agreement, the terms and conditions of the agreement will apply.
About our Company: We are a customer, growth and safety focused utility company that is dedicated to our communities. We improve life with energy as an energy partner of choice. Our diverse culture fuels unique perspectives, opening doors to new insights and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 3000 employees and serve 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).
Enjoy our Comprehensive Benefits Package! Annual discretionary bonuses, 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution), tuition reimbursement, generous paid time off benefits, including paid holidays and parental leave, company paid life insurance and disability benefits (short and long term), critical illness, accident & group hospital insurance, pet insurance, an employee assistance program and well-being benefits, and competitive medical, dental and vision insurance.
Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. If there is anything that may show up in these reports that may conflict with the position requirements, feel free to contact the Black Hills Energy recruiting team at [email protected].
Black Hills Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. If you require reasonable accommodation, please visit careers.blackhillsenergy.com for more information.
