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 As the electric industry continues to evolve with new ways to generate and deliver electricity, educated workers in the field and in the office are vital to the growth.
While some jobs may be open to high school graduates and those with technical or two-year degrees, other require four-year degrees, and, in some cases, a graduate degree.
Here are some of the careers available in the industry.
Lineworkers
Mechanics
Customer Service Representatives
Member Service Representatives
Administrative Assistants
Accountants
Engineers
Computer Programmers and Information Technology Specialists
General Managers
Operations Supervisors
Meter Readers and Meter Technicians
Surveyors and Stakers
Office Managers
 Lineworkers: Without these individuals, we wouldn’t be able to keep the lights on. Lineworkers build and repair power lines, as well as install transformers, transmission towers, poles, insulators and other critical components of the electrical grid.
Mechanics: Without these individuals, bucket and digger trucks would fall into disrepair, not to mention meter-reader trucks and the rest of an electric utility’s fleet.
Customer Service Representatives, Cashiers and Clerks: These individuals are the “front-line ambassadors” of an electric utility. They deal directly with customers. They handle requests for service and help answer customers’ questions. They also are responsible for collecting and processing payments, keeping records and generating bills.
Member Service Representatives: The role of these individuals may vary greatly from co-op to co-op. Some may handle the utility’s advertising, marketing and public relations. Others may be responsible for selling secondary services and other co-op business ventures, such as electric water heaters and electric thermal storage equipment, propane, Internet and cable TV.
Administrative Assistants: Every business needs someone to handle human resources, hiring and assisting the general manager or governing board with monthly and annual meetings and day-to-day tasks.
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 Accountants: These individuals are accountable for monitoring the money that comes in and out of an electric utility and for preparing annual budgets and long-term financial forecasts. They are the financial gatekeepers of a business.
Engineers: These individuals design power plants, additions to the grid, such as electrical lines and substations, and troubleshoot potential or existing problems to the delivery system. They also analyze and help correct consumer load problems.
Computer Programmers and Information Technology Specialists: These individuals are responsible for keeping the electric utility’s computers and databases functioning. They also can be called upon to generate complex reports to analyze trends in demographics, land-use and the overall consumer base. Some specialize in digitizing maps of the power company’s distribution system, making it easier for field workers to identify job locations.
General Managers: These individuals are responsible for the overall day-to-day operations of an electric utility. If the company is publicly-traded or a non-profit co-op, the manager may be hired and held accountable by a governing board of directors or trustees. If the company is operated by a municipality, the general manager may report to a government entity, such as a city council.
Operations Supervisors: These individuals may be responsible for lineworkers, including their safety training and continuing education. Operations supervisors also oversee emergency situations, such as power outages, and may be part of a larger regional group that plans for terrorist threats, environmental disasters or other large-scale catastrophic events.
Meter Readers and Meter Technicians: These individuals are responsible for collecting meter readers, so consumers can be billed. Technicians will program and test meters, so they can be installed by meter readers.
Surveyors and Stakers: These individuals help locate existing and new power lines and determine the proper equipment needed to deliver electricity to homes and businesses.
Office Managers: These individuals oversee office personnel, such as customer service representatives, cashiers and clerks, and provide them with training opportunities. They also assist consumers with questions about billing and services.
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