Join our team at East River Electric Power Cooperative! Are you a skilled technician looking to grow your career in a hands-on, collaborative setting? East River Electric Power Cooperative is seeking a dedicated substation technician to join our transmission system team. In this position, you'll play a crucial role in the installation, maintenance, testing, and repair of our substation equipment and control panels. This position has a residency requirement to live within 35 miles of Madison, SD.

At East River Electric Power Cooperative we're dedicated to providing reliable and affordable wholesale power to our members across 40,000 square miles of service area. As a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative, we provide electricity to 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally-owned electric system serving eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Our members, in turn, power the lives of the member-owners in their service territories.

Our Cooperative Community

As a cooperative, we do things differently! The decisions we make are made with our members in mind. We've built our foundation on Touchstone Energy's four cooperative values: integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. These values represent the cooperative difference, which is why we value things like community outreach, teamwork, and work-life balance.

This incredible job opportunity awaits you at our main campus in Madison, South Dakota. Madison offers a warm and welcoming small-town atmosphere combined with modern amenities that make it the perfect place for you and your family. Take advantage of great resources like the state-of-the-art Madison Regional Hospital, experience the innovative campus of Dakota State University, enjoy a thriving community center, and more. With two stunning lakes nearby, recreational opportunities are abundant, and you'll be just a short drive away from many of eastern South Dakota's most popular attractions.

What You'll Accomplish

As a valued member of our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a difference every day. Your education, skills, and experience will be put to excellent use, contributing to our mission of delivering exceptional wholesale power to our members. You'll work alongside passionate professionals who embody the cooperative values of integrity, accountability, innovation, and commitment to community. We believe in investing in your growth and development, which is why we offer paid training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career. In this position you will:

• Perform the installation, updates, testing, and upkeep of substation equipment and control panels, making sure everything runs smoothly.
• Dive into data from electronic devices-like regulator panels and SCADA systems-to check that equipment is operating just the way it should.
• Operate heavy equipment and assist with underground facility locates, working indoors and outdoors in varied conditions.
• Maintain thorough records and reports, always in compliance with cooperative policies and regulatory standards.
• Perform oil testing and analyze the results to help maintain the quality of our equipment.
• Support inventory management and propose innovative solutions to improve operations and efficiency.
• Champion workplace safety by following established safety rules and fostering a safety-focused mindset every day.
• Support your coworkers, keep the lines of communication open, and help us achieve our cooperative's mission and reach our strategic goals.

Showcase Your Knowledge, Abilities, and Expertise. Do you have?

• An associate degree in electrical construction, automation controls, substation, telecommunications, or powerline
• At least two (2) years of related work experience (preferred)
• A Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL), or the ability to obtain a CDL
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
• Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office products and computer technology
• The ability to work collaboratively and build productive relationships within a team environment

Benefits that Matter

At East River, we value your well-being and want you to thrive. That's why we provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical insurance with employer contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Paid training and development opportunities
• Access to a wellness program and financial planning resources
• Retirement pension plan and contribution to a 401(k) savings plan
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• 9/80 work schedule, which gives you every other Friday off to encourage a work-life balance

Want to learn more about East River? Visit our website's career pages and hear what our current employees have to say.

Questions? Contact hr@eastriver.coop or (605) 256-4536.

Visit our Careers Page to apply. Applications accepted through January 18, 2026, with interviews expected to begin the week of January 26.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

About East River Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.

At East River Electric Power Cooperative we're dedicated to providing reliable and affordable wholesale power to our members across 40,000 square miles of service area. As a not-for-profit generation and transmission cooperative, we provide electricity to 24 rural electric distribution cooperatives and one municipally owned electric system serving eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota. Our members, in turn, power the lives of the member-owners in their service territories.

Connections working at East River Electric Power Cooperative, Inc.