Director of Engineering and Operations

Director of Engineering and Operations

People’s Energy Cooperative

Oronoco, MN

People’s Energy Cooperative (PEC) is seeking a professional, qualified, and engaged leader for the position of Director of Engineering and Operations (Director of E&O).  PEC has retained NRECA’s Executive Search Group to facilitate the search process.

People’s Energy Cooperative is a member-owned, distribution electric cooperative that provides safe, reliable, and affordable electricity and related energy services to 24,500 residential, business, and agricultural accounts spanning a service territory of 1,090 square miles in the six counties surrounding Rochester, MN.   PEC owns 29 substations, 2,965 miles of distribution line, 121 miles of 69 kV transmission line, and purchases most of its wholesale power from Dairyland Power Cooperative.  In 2019, PEC had revenue of about $49.5M with Total Utility Plant of about $168M.  PEC employs 62 dedicated professionals who are committed to providing exceptional service in a safe manner.

The Director of Engineering and Operations is part of a four-member senior management team that reports directly to the President/CEO.  The position is responsible for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the utility’s power system in a safe, efficient, and collaborative manner.  This position has direct supervision of four engineering/operation managers and is responsible for 33 department staff members.

Successful candidates must have at least 10 years of progressive experience, preferably with a distribution electric cooperative, and at least five years of supervisory experience.  Candidates must have broad utility management experience in electric utility engineering, construction, operations and/or maintenance.  A Bachelor’s degree in business administration, electrical engineering (Power System option preferred), or a related field is preferred.

Successful candidates will be: forward thinking; strategically focused; committed to employee and public safety; able to develop and maintain positive and effective relationships with co-workers, members, and the public; exhibit a leadership style reflecting integrity, respect, and flexibility; possess strong communication and problem solving skills to effectively interact with members and employees; able to successfully plan, manage, implement and monitor various projects/plans; and effectively supervise and lead staff in a collaborative, team-oriented environment. 

The Director of E&O is expected to serve as an ambassador for the Cooperative to ensure the promotion of goodwill between the Cooperative, its members, the community, and general public to exemplify that we are a trusted energy resource, respected business partner and employer of choice.

The Director of E&O is also expected to demonstrate a commitment to cooperative principles, our core values, and member service at all times working to provide quality, efficient, and courteous service in all work-related interactions to achieve the objectives of the Cooperative. 

PEC is headquartered in Oronoco, MN, in southeast MN.  According to the City of Oronoco website, Oronoco is a short five-mile drive to Rochester, a vibrant city of cultural and social diversity, fine dining, and shopping.  It is home to over 100,000 people, an international airport, and the world-renowned Mayo Clinic.  Combine small town values with Rochester’s proximity to the Twin Cities metro area (about 80 miles), for the best of both worlds.  

PEC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has NRECA’s defined benefit pension plan, in addition to a 401k savings plan.  The Cooperative also has excellent health and life insurance plans.  Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Applications are accepted at the careers page of electric.coop and should include the following: 1) Cover letter, 2) Resume, and 3) Contact information for three professional references.  Applications must be received by October 13, 2020.  If you have any questions, please contact Bob Matheny, NRECA Executive Search Consultant at  ExecutiveSearch@nreca.coop or (423) 605-2626.