Dakota Electric Association is a member-owned, member-focused electric distribution cooperative, striving to exceed our member’s energy expectations in a changing world. We are an equal opportunity employer and we believe that diversity of ideas, perspectives and backgrounds are essential to our business. As a Dakota Electric employee you would be an essential worker that would have a hand in serving our members. For additional information about Dakota Electric please visit: dakotaelectric.com. 

Dakota Electric offers an extensive benefits package:

• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with an employer contribution of 6% of an employee's base wage, plus matching contribution up to 4%.
• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• HSA and FSA
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability
• Short-term disability and other voluntary benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Wellness reimbursement
• Vacation, sick and personal leave

Pay:

$95,000 - $118,700

Job Summary:

The Project Manager/Designer Level I is responsible for the design and project management of $1,000,000 of assigned construction projects for Dakota Electric Association (DEA) and others as needed.  To manage these projects, this position must coordinate the work of DEA employees, property owners, developers, outside engineering firms, government agencies, and contractors. The Project Manager/Designer Level I must also ensure the entire project is completed on-time, within budget, complies with DEA design standards and is functional when completed.  This position is responsible for representing System Design on the Cable Replacement Team, when assigned, and actively participating in other DEA teams such as Safety.  This position is responsible for ensuring quality map data for assigned projects.

This position is responsible for generator installations design and ensuring metering requirements are met per DEA specifications.  This position is responsible for evaluating and requisitioning approved street light material.  This position is also responsible for the coordination of all pole testing and replacement; and the tracking of dig-ins.

Responsibilities

1. Comply with established Dakota Electric Association safety and operating rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines. Be responsible for reporting any un-safe practices and or hazards to a supervisor, manager or Vice President.   Be committed to and actively involved in Dakota Electric’s safety programs, initiatives and performance.
2. Responsible for the electric system design, project management, and billing of all assigned projects between internal work groups and external entities, including system additions, changes and upgrades.  These may include the following:
   1. All assigned system improvements, cable replacements, road construction, street and security lighting, and other projects.
   2. All assigned residential construction projects, including street lighting. 
   3. All assigned industrial, commercial, agricultural, and multi-tenant projects including electric service applications, timing, temporary services, system integrity, load data, electrical requirement needs, metering requirements, damage disputes, material, inventory, cost analysis and billing, mapping, staking, and construction.
3. Analyzes and designs DEA's distribution system, making changes that are required to facilitate the installation of “campus style” or standard peak shave generators for DEA’s members. Makes a cost analysis of this work and advises consultants, members and DEA’s interconnection coordinator regarding required distribution facility changes.
4. Work with the Metering Manager and Meter Technicians to review one-line diagrams and metering provisions on all commercial, industrial, agricultural and multi-tenant housing to ensure all metering requirements are met per DEA specifications.
5. Processes all applications for irrigation installations, designing the electrical feed method, determining the contribution in aid to justify the necessary expenditure, billing, and monitoring the project to assure proper installation and completion, within the agreed upon timing.
6. Represents System Design on the Cable Replacement Team to prepare designs and estimates, monitor potential projects and make recommendations based on the construction budget.
7. Represents DEA at preconstruction and joint trench meetings with external contacts.
8. Responsible for joint use coordination on assigned projects for all utilities, including maintaining contact with telephone, cable TV, and gas companies to share engineering data and coordinate the use of joint trenches.
9. Responsible for updating Purchasing and others on material needs for assigned projects and communicating timelines for assigned projects.
10. Tracks project costs and timelines, and communicates results to each work group, and to update reports.
11. Provides projections by size, quantity, and location of all assigned projects, along with consequent mainline requirements for purchasing, budget, and work plans.
12. Participates on assigned commodity teams, including but not limited to street lights, transformers, cable and conductor. Evaluates equipment to determine the most suitable for use and makes recommendations to the material and standards committee.
13. Responsible for contracting and tracking pole testing, rejected poles, and ensuring poles are staked and replaced; maintaining accurate records, as assigned.
14. Provide assistance to staking and work order accountants for reconciliation between estimates and actual costs.  Reconcile reports for pole testing contractor costs, as assigned.
15. Responsible for doing damage assessments on all dig-ins and to follow up with line crews, locators and others, as needed, and maintaining accurate records for reporting to management and the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety.
16. Utilize existing systems to ensure quality map data on assigned projects.
17. Performs related work as apparent or assigned.

(All duties should be considered essential functions per the Americans with Disabilities Act.)

Education and Experience:

• Associates Degree, plus two years of technical training in courses relating to electrical technology, electrical distribution or project management.  Personal computer knowledge is required.  Mapping, human relations and communication course work are all desired. 
• A minimum of five years of electrical utility experience required in the design and project management, and layout of main feeder lines and distribution lines.
• This position has an expectation of continuing education in project management and job-related courses, including re-certifications.