Substation  electrician

Application due date: January 25, 2026

Location: Elk River, MN (60-mile living radius of reporting location is required) 

Creating a better energy future. Join Great River Energy in creating smarter ways to power people’s lives — from small, everyday moments to the big, life-changing ones. As a consumer-owned electric utility, we are Minnesota's second largest based on generating capacity.

Summary:

Substation technician electrician performs and/or assists in the operation, construction/installation and maintenance of transmission substations, and associated equipment on the Great River Energy (GRE) system.

 Total Rewards:

A typical starting range for this position is $52.92 - $62.32 hourly. We offer market competitive base pay and adjust our offer accordingly based upon the value of the candidate’s knowledge, skills and experience. In addition, our Total Rewards strategy focuses on recognizing individual performance and rewarding business results. Our robust Total Rewards package includes exceptional benefits and retirement, a focus on continuous engagement, recognition, personal and professional development, and an emphasis on work-life effectiveness.

 Responsibilities: Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Perform and/or assist in the maintenance of substation apparatus such as circuit breakers, transformers, voltage regulators, reclosers, mobile substations, load tap changers, station batteries and chargers, capacitor banks, circuit switchers, motor operators, and associated equipment.
• Perform and/or assist in the installation, testing, checkout of new substation apparatus equipment such as circuit breakers, transformers, load tap changers, station batteries and chargers, capacitor banks, circuit switchers, motor operators, and associated equipment.
• Perform routine inspection of substations, switching stations, and capacitor bank equipment.
• Perform mechanical and electrical connections, vacuum oil processing, full battery of transformer and circuit breaker tests including controls.
• Develop and update maintenance procedures along with maintaining equipment records in area of responsibility.
• Perform all other related duties and special projects as assigned by the supervisor or foreperson.

Qualifications: Minimum education requirements include a two-year technical degree or diploma in electrical or computer or electronics related courses; or completion of a four-year IBEW Joint Apprentice Training Committee (JATC) program. Prefer a minimum of four years substation apparatus experience. Ability to obtain and maintain a Class A commercial driver's license (CDL) with tanker endorsement within the first twelve (12) months of employment is required.

Working conditions will be indoors and outdoors, sometimes in inclement weather conditions of extreme cold or heat. Schedules are either five 8 hour days or four 10 hour days and require the incumbent to live within a 60-mile living radius of the reporting location. There will be occasional travel and overtime. This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, lift to 75 lbs., climb, balance, work at heights and work with arms above your head occasionally and/or frequently. Ability to frequently and/or occasionally stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, twist and squat, work on even and uneven surfaces and ability to work occasionally in confined space areas. Ability to frequently push, pull, carry, grasp and finger objects. Subject to frequent vibration and hazards and on occasion exposed to fumes, dust or mist. Must be able to differentiate colors, speak and hear. This position is designated as a safety sensitive position for drug, cannabis and alcohol testing purposes.

Apply: Qualified candidates please apply at www.greatriverenergy.com (under the Careers tab) by January 25, 2026. GRE values diversity, equity and inclusion and we are an equal employment opportunity employer. 

About Great River Energy

Powering what’s possible Great River Energy is a not-for-profit electricity provider owned by our 26 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin for which we generate and transmit electricity. We provide wholesale electric service to our member owners who distribute electricity to approximately 660,000 member consumers - or about 1.7 million people. A diverse mix of generation resources - Our power plants generate more than 2,800 megawatts of electricity and several solar arrays capable of producing 650 kilowatts. In addition, we purchase wind and hydroelectric energy. Your electricity is delivered through power lines to you. Every time you plug in your toaster, television or other electrical device, a system of power lines goes to work to bring you the power you need. Our job at Great River Energy is to keep the lights on by providing a safe & reliable supply of electricity.

Connections working at Great River Energy