When you think about working for an electric cooperative, you might picture a lineworker climbing a pole or responding to an outage. While lineworkers are an important part of keeping the lights on, they are just one piece of the puzzle.

It takes a wide range of people and skills to power a cooperative. At Eau Claire Energy Cooperative, careers can include finance and accounting, human resources, communications and public relations, administrative support, member services, linework, fleet mechanics, warehouse, purchasing and procurement, engineering, operations, health and safety, GIS, information technology, and more.

One of the great things about cooperative careers is that there is not one path to get there. Some positions start with a high school diploma and on-the-job training, while others require a trade apprenticeship, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or specialized training. There are also internship opportunities for those just getting started.

And there are plenty of reasons to consider a cooperative career. Co-ops are local, community-focused organizations. The energy industry is always changing, so there is always something new to learn. Many cooperative careers offer competitive wages and excellent benefits, and the work is often challenging, meaningful, and different every day.

Curious about a career at a cooperative?

You don't have to wait for a job opening to learn more. Reach out to your local electric cooperative and start a conversation. Cooperatives may be able to offer tours, classroom presentations, job shadows, or opportunities to talk with employees about what they do.

You might be surprised by how many career opportunities are part of keeping the power on.

Interested in learning more about careers at Eau Claire Energy Cooperative? Contact us to start the conversation.