Substation Technician II

Ozarks Electric Cooperative; Fayetteville (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Pension plan

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

9 paid holidays

Disability benefits

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Ozarks Electric Cooperative in Fayetteville, AR seeks an Electrical Technician II to install, test, and maintain substation equipment across multiple locations. You will perform routine inspections, calibrations, and metering tasks with close supervision while advancing in a structured technician program.

Emphasis on safety, certification, and reliable service to members. Ideal candidates have 3 years of related experience, a CDL, and foundational electrical theory knowledge.

Qualifications

• High school diploma with algebraic and geometric background required.
• Associate degree in Electrical Technology or completed OECC Part I.
• Part II of OECC Electrical Technician Program within 18 months (demotion if not completed).
• CDL required.

Responsibilities

• Installs, tests, and maintains substation equipment with minimal supervision.
• Conducts monthly substation inspections including infrared scans and samples.
• Tests LTCs, voltage regulators, reclosers, and capacitor banks.
• Installs instrument metering on live or dead services under supervision.
• Performs de-energized electrical connections and wiring between substation equipment.
• Assists in wiring control/communication equipment in a control house.
• Bypasses energized equipment for repairs under supervision.
• Diagnoses and repairs electrical and mechanical equipment; reports findings.
• Programs solid-state meters and AMR devices; supports power quality work.

Skills

Three years experience

Electrical theory

Mathematics for electrical work

Written and oral communication

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma with algebraic and geometric background

Associate degree in Electrical Technology or Part I OECC completed

Part II OECC Electrical Technician Program within 18 months

CDL

Tools

Pole climbing certification

Bucket truck operations training

Extendo-stick usage

Job description

Ozarks Electric, headquartered in Fayetteville, Arkansas with offices in Springdale, Arkansas, Stilwell and Westville Oklahoma incorporated in 1938, is a member‑owned electric cooperative, serving more than 80,000 meters across nine counties in Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma.

Ozarks provides to its employees: 100% paid medical/dental coverage for you and your dependents, a defined benefit pension plan and a 401(k) plan with employer match. We also provide paid time off, 9 paid holidays, disability benefits, life insurance and tuition reimbursement.

Job offers are contingent on passing a background check, proof of eligibility to work in the U.S., and passing a drug test. Ozarks does not accept medical marijuana cards because all our positions are considered safety sensitive.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: High school diploma with an algebraic and geometric background required. Must have an associate degree in Electrical Technology or have completed Part I of OECC's Electrical Technician Program or similar program. Must complete Part II of OECC Electrical Technician Program within 18 months (Failure to complete would result in demotion to Tech I). Must have CDL.

EXPERIENCE: Must have three years' related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have successfully completed pole climbing certification.

MAJOR JOB TASKS

• Installs, tests, and does maintenance on substation, large equipment, and special apparatus with minimal supervision
• Conducts monthly inspections of substations including, but not limited to, infrared thermal scans for hot spots, drawing oil samples for laboratory analysis, and downloading information from substation and metering equipment.
• Performs basic operational tests of LTC's, voltage regulators, three phase reclosers, and capacitor banks.
• Builds and installs instrument metering on live or dead services under close supervision.
• Makes common electrical connections properly on de-energized equipment.
• Assists in wiring connections between substation apparatus and control/communication equipment in a control house.
• Bypasses energized apparatus for repair and change out under close supervision.
• Diagnoses problems and makes repairs on mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Downloads and prepare reports from results of inspections and infrared scans. Makes recommendations for repairs or maintenance.
• Programs solid‑state meters and AMR devices.
• Assists in installing power quality monitoring and conducting power quality assessments in residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
• Installs and maintains all forms of substation communication to AMR, SCADA, and substation meters.
• Performs other such duties as requested and required by the position.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

The Electrical Technician II shall be required to perform any other duties assigned to fulfill the objectives of the Cooperative.

EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

• Members: Limited contact with members to install or remove power quality equipment. Answers occasional questions concerning OECC, if unable to do so, directs to the proper personnel.
• General Public: Answers occasional questions concerning OECC, if unable to do so, directs to the proper personnel.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to use a notebook computer in Windows environment and to retrieve data from various electronic devices. Must be able to operate company vehicles in unfavorable conditions. Must obtain CDL. Must progressively train in bucket truck operations. Must be able to use an extendo--stick in various applications. Must have valid driver's license without violation, which would prohibit insurability.
• Must have good understanding of electrical theory and practice. Must have good knowledge of electricity, electrical circuits, and electrical wiring. Must have good knowledge of NEC, NESC, OSHA, and RUS specifications related to electric service. Must have a good understanding of OECC safety rules and practices. Must be able to calculate from base measurements: amps, volts, kw, kwh, pf, kvar, and kvarh.
• Must be able to learn and perform first aid and CPR. Must have good written and oral communication skills with ability to comprehend equipment, software, and training manuals. Must be able to carry out instruction furnished in written, oral, and/or diagram form. Must be able to interpret maps, specifications, staking sheets, and complex electronic control diagrams. Requires ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability, fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry and the ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Occasional exposure to mechanical parts, high, precarious places, outside weather conditions, and close proximity to energized high voltage equipment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Requires excellent vision, upper body strength, and hand‑eye coordination. Must be able to lift and move 50 to 75 pounds. Must be able to climb and work off a 20-foot ladder. Must attend pole climbing and pole top rescue training. Must be able to walk and/or hike over rough and heavily forested terrain in unfavorable conditions.
• The physical activities and environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.

Ozarks Electric is an EOE/AA/W/M/VETERAN/Disability employer