Service Specialist 1 (74NE)

Black Hills Energy; McCook (NE); On-site; USD 35,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus program

401(k) with company match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off and holidays

Life insurance

Disability benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Pet insurance

Employee assistance program

Well-being benefits

Job summary

Black Hills Energy is seeking a Gas Operations Associate in McCook, NE to install, operate, and maintain a safe natural gas distribution system and support non-regulated appliance programs. The role requires travel up to 10% and a focus on safety and customer service.

Pay range is $25.63–$42.26 per hour, determined by the collective bargaining agreement. Reporting to the Gas Operations Supervisor. This position is full-time with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Must maintain a high regard for personal safety and the safety of assets and the public.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work from written verbal instruction.
• Ability to work with a team and follow schedules.
• Possess basic computer and math skills.
• Ability to work with flammable gas and liquids.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and driving record acceptable to the company.

Responsibilities

• Install, operate and maintain gas facilities.
• Perform customer service, installation and maintenance for pipelines, appliances, and related equipment.
• Sell, install and service non-regulated products and services.
• Maintain facilities and equipment, including pipeline right-of-way and related tasks.
• Locate and mark facilities per Damage Prevention Program and One-Call procedures.
• Perform pipeline patrols, leak surveys and inspections per procedures.

Skills

Customer service

Teamwork

Verbal communication

Math skills

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Secondary education or equivalent experience

Tools

Construction equipment

Job description

Location: Mccook, NE, United States
Job ID: 36541
Date Posted: Nov 3, 2026
Position will close at 12:00am CT on Nov 18, 2026

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

This important position will help the company deliver install and maintain a safe and reliable natural gas distribution system in addition to supporting customers within our non-regulated appliance repair and installation programs.

Pay Range: $25.63 - $42.26 per hour (Determined by the current Collective Bargaining Agreement)

Reporting Relationship: Gas Operations Supervisor

Essential Functions

• Responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of all gas facilities.
• Accomplish customer service, installation, construction, maintenance, testing and troubleshooting related to pipeline systems, measurement, appliances, and associated equipment.
• Responsible for sales, installation and service work of appliance in regards to the non-regulated products and services offered through the company.
• Responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of all facilities and equipment, including pipeline right-of-way, including, but not limited to excavation, repairing, coating and backfilling pipelines, concrete work, painting, building erection, weed control, etc.
• Locate and mark facilities per Company Damage Prevention Program and One-Call procedures prior to and during encroachments and excavations.
• Perform pipeline patrols, population density surveys, leak detection surveys and inspection per company procedures.
• Coordinate local Damage Prevention activities.
• Provide oversight and inspection to ensure asset protection and compliance with company procedures of excavation activities near pipeline facilities.
• Participates in quality emergency responder programs.
• Represent the Company during contacts with landowner/tenant, public official, emergency official and local organization (i.e. One-Call, Pipeline Group, Soil Conservation, etc.) meetings.
• Perform governmental compliance activities (PHMSA, State Agencies, EPA, USFS, etc)
• Perform mapping, record keeping and data entry duties per company policies.
• Identify report and correct safety and environmental concerns.
• Participate in the development of O&M Procedures, Site Specific Procedures, project scopes and work plans.
• Complete all applicable documentation and record keeping.
• Perform all work in compliance with Company Standards, procedures, regulatory and tariff requirements.
• Demonstrate performance toward operational excellence.
• Perform other assigned tasks as required.

What Is Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Must maintain a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company assets and employees, and the general public.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work from written verbal instruction.
• Ability to work with a team, take direction from supervisors, keep required job schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.
• Possess basic computer and math skills.
• Ability to work with and around combustible or flammable gas, liquids.
• Ability to interface directly with customers professionally providing a high degree of customer satisfaction.
• Ability to operate construction equipment.
• Achieve and maintain all Operator Qualifications and progression requirements applicable to the job classification.
• Required to carry a company-provided cell phone/pager and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.
• 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

• Secondary education or equivalent experience
• Experience working with a natural gas system preferred, but willing to train
• Knowledge and experience in safe handling practices of flammable gases, liquids, and high-pressure system preferred.
• Knowledge of company policies and practice, regulatory and tariff requirements desirable.
• Knowledge of National, State and local electrical codes desirable.

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 dedicatedto our communities. We improve life with energy as an energy partner of choice.Our diverse culture fuelsunique perspectives, opening doors to new insightsand possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 3000 employees and serve 1.3million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).

Enjoy our Comprehensive Benefits Package!

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.

Black Hills Energydoes 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 direct your inquiries to the Talent Team at [emailprotected] .

REQUESTING AN ACCOMMODATION

If you require reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or for any step in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to the Talent Team at [emailprotected] .

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Black Hills Corporation is 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. Read a statement from our CEO about our commitment. Read our Aff