Substation Apparatus Technician/Electrician

Application due: September 2, 2026
Location: Elk River, MN
Type: Full Time
Level: Entry Level

About the role

As a substation apparatus technician electrician, you will assist in the operation, construction, installation and maintenance of transmission substations and associated equipment on the Great River Energy (GRE) system.

Great River Energy is a not-for-profit electricity provider owned by our 26 distribution cooperatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin. We generate and transmit electricity to approximately 660,000 member consumers — or about 1.7 million people. Our power plants generate more than 2,800 megawatts of electricity and several solar arrays capable of producing 650 kilowatts. We also purchase wind and hydroelectric energy.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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 months of employment is required.

Working conditions

• 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 living within a 60-mile radius of the reporting location.
• Occasional travel and overtime.
• 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 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.

Pay

A typical starting range for this position is $52.97 - $62.32 hourly. Market competitive base pay adjusted based on candidate’s knowledge, skills and experience.

Benefits

Our 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.