OPERATIONS MANAGER – ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION
Are you an experienced electrical professional ready to step into a leadership role and make a lasting impact? Oconto Electric Cooperative is looking for a driven Operations Manager to lead a talented team while enjoying an exceptional work-life balance in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin. This rare opportunity is available due to an upcoming, well-earned retirement, allowing you to step into a stable, long-term leadership role with a respected cooperative. **Anticipated start date on or before May 5, 2025**
WHY JOIN US?
Oconto Electric Cooperative (OEC) is based in the heart of Northeast Wisconsin, in Oconto Falls. We’re just 30 minutes from Green Bay and legendary Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers! Beyond NFL football, this area offers a sportsman’s paradise with some of the best hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, and camping in the Midwest. If you love the outdoors and want a career that offers professional growth and an incredible lifestyle, this is your chance!
ABOUT THE ROLE
As our Operations Manager, you will:
- Lead and inspire a team of skilled union and non-union professionals, including line workers, ROW crews, mechanic, warehouse, staker, and an operations assistant.
- Ensure the safe, reliable delivery of power to our member-owners.
- Direct the construction, maintenance, and operation of our electric distribution system.
- Oversee power restoration during outages and emergencies.
- Provide training, development, and support to employees while enforcing top-tier safety standards.
- Manage the budget development and financial oversight for operations.
- Direct report to the CEO.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for someone who has:
- Ideally 10+ years of experience in electric distribution construction, maintenance, switching, and substation operations, though we encourage candidates with a strong track record in similar roles to apply.
- Journeyman Lineworker certification is a plus, though equivalent experience will also be considered.
- A high school diploma or equivalent; an AS or BS in a related field is preferred.
- Proven leadership experience, particularly in a supervisory role (e.g., Foreman or Supervisor).
- Strong knowledge of OSHA, electrical safety, and utility operations.
- The ability to work in all conditions, respond to outages, and lead with confidence and expertise.
- Experience supervising a union workforce.
- Knowledge in budget development and management.
- Familiarity with NISC – staking, mapping, outage management.
- A passion for the electric cooperative model and serving the community.
- Computer skills adequate to perform necessary tasks.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive salary
- R&S Pension & 401k
- Generous paid medical (75%)
- Vacation, sick days, and holidays
- Take-home truck
- Work-life balance – Enjoy NFL football, semi-pro hockey, baseball, arena football, and the outdoors when you’re off the clock!
- A team-oriented work environment where leadership is valued and career growth is supported.
- The opportunity to step into a leadership role at a stable and respected cooperative.
READY TO LEAD AND MAKE A LASTING IMPACT?
If you’re ready to lead, grow, and enjoy everything Northeast Wisconsin has to offer, we want to hear from you! Apply today and join a respected cooperative where your career and lifestyle can truly thrive.
OEC is a member-owned, not-for-profit, generation & distribution cooperative headquartered in Oconto Falls, Wisconsin. In 1937, the cooperative was formed to serve electricity in rural northeast Wisconsin. Currently OEC serves more than 10,000 members throughout Oconto, Marinette, and small portions of Shawano and Brown County.
- Stiles Hydro Electric Dam
- 1,500 miles of distribution line (50/50 OH/UG)
- 59 miles of sub transmission
- 10 substations
- 884 square miles of service territory
Oconto Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer that encourages all its employees to grow, learn, and expand their roles in ways they can be creative and best accomplish the cooperative’s goals and member’s needs. We assess qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Resume should be submitted to humanresources@ocontoelectric.com
Oconto Electric Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with Federal and State equal employment opportunity laws, qualified applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other protected group status.
Click here to view full nondiscrimination statement.