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Operations Manager

Minnesota Rural Electric Association, Pelican Rapids, MN, United States


Reliability starts with strong leadership.

Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC), a member-owned electric utility serving more than 30,000 member‑consumers in the counties of Otter Tail, Wilkin, Grant, Douglas, Clay, and Becker (service territory), is seeking an

Operations Manager

to lead system operations, outage response, and field teams in delivering safe, reliable electric service to our members.

This role provides leadership across system operations, outage response, dispatch, fleet, and field personnel while ensuring alignment with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and Cooperative priorities. The Operations Manager plays a critical role in supporting system reliability and delivering high‑quality service to our members.

Key Responsibilities

Lead construction, maintenance, and operation of the electric distribution system, including substations

Provide leadership and accountability for outage response and dispatch operations

Promote and enforce a strong safety culture in compliance with OSHA, NESC, and Cooperative standards

Oversee vegetation management and contractor performance

Manage fleet and equipment lifecycle, including planning, maintenance, and replacement

Support strategic planning and operational decision‑making

Lead and develop a team, including supervisory staff, to achieve high performance and accountability

Qualifications

Combination of education and experience equivalent to 10 years in electric utility operations, including progressive linework experience

Demonstrated leadership experience in an operations or field environment

Strong knowledge of electric distribution systems, construction practices, and system operations

Working knowledge of RUS, NESC, and OSHA standards

Effective leadership, communication, and problem‑solving skills

Valid driver’s license with ability to obtain and maintain a Class A CDL

Availability to respond to outages and emergency situations outside of normal business hours

Ability to lead during critical events and support system restoration efforts

Join a member-focused cooperative committed to safety, reliability, and service.

LREC offers a generous compensation package including fully paid single coverage health insurance premium, company 401k match and substantial paid time off, including front loading accrual. This position’s starting wage range, based on previous experience, is $130,000 - $145,000 with a training progression period and wage adjustments to conclude over 2 years. Job offer rates are determined based on the candidate’s specific education, experience, knowledge, skills, and in alignment with market data.

LREC is an equal opportunity employer (EOE).

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