Equipment Operator Groundman

Power Your Career. Empower Our Community.

Dakota Electric Association is more than an electric utility—we’re a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative serving over 117,000 members. Ranked among the top 25 electric distribution cooperatives in the nation, we put people first: our members, employees, and the communities we call home.

Join a team where your work truly matters. You’ll help deliver reliable energy while strengthening the bonds that make our cooperative thrive. Based in Farmington, MN, our culture is built on safety, reliability, and member-focused service. Founded in 1937, we are an organization guided by integrity, environmental stewardship, innovation, and a deep commitment to community.

Join our team as an Equipment Operator Groundman

In this role you will safely and efficiently operate a digger derrick and construction equipment, as well as provide labor in support of line construction and maintenance activities. You will provide skilled labor, technical knowledge, and dependable workmanship in the construction, repair, and upkeep of the electric distribution system. You will assist line crews by performing essential ground duties, preparing materials, operating equipment as qualified, and ensure work sites remain safe and organized. This position also involves after-hours and emergency response to help restore electric service promptly, efficiently, and in a safe manner.

Compensation & Benefits

- Starting Wage: $36.42/h - $50.59/h

We also offer a robust and competitive benefits package, including:

- 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with 6% employer contribution plus up to 4% match

- Medical, dental, and vision coverage

- HSA and FSA options

- Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance

- Tuition reimbursement and wellness reimbursement

- Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer time, sick leave, and personal days

Minimum Requirements

- High School education or equivalent required.

- Two years of experience in driving large trucks and operating equipment is required.

- DEA experience may be considered in lieu of equipment operating experience if all other requirements are met.

- Required to hold a current Class A MN commercial driver’s license (CDL) and health card.

- Must obtain CPR/AED and First Aid Certification within 6 months of employment, or the next available DEA offering.

- Must have a primary residence within a twenty (20) mile radius of Dakota Electric’s headquarters in Farmington, MN. New hires will have up to one year to meet the residency requirement.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with another utility or line construction contractor is preferred.

Responsibilities

- Responsible for ensuring that tools, equipment, and materials are sufficient to complete assigned work. Accounts for all material, equipment, and tools issued to crew personnel.

- Reports needed maintenance and repair on cooperative vehicles, tools, equipment, and the distribution system as observed.

- Works as an equipment operator during the construction and maintenance on DEA lines, substations, and equipment.

- Safely and effectively operate commercial trucks and related equipment in accordance with DEA standards and applicable regulations.

- Receives directions from the Crew Chief for daily assignments. Works closely with other crew members as an effective team.

- Attends safety meetings and seminars to enhance job knowledge.

- Performs groundman tasks, such as assembling construction units, preparing equipment and materials, spotting and identifying underground facilities, and assisting in all other ground work on a construction site.

- Complies with all traffic laws and regulations while operating company vehicles.

- Answers members’ inquiries effectively by providing accurate, meaningful, and courteous responses to questions in a timely manner. Responsible for reporting any un-safe practices and or hazards to a supervisor.

Working Conditions

The employee will spend approximately eighty percent of their time outdoors exposed to the outdoor environment and occasionally severe weather.

The employee may be exposed to chemicals and fumes such as paint from a spray can and exhaust from moving machinery at construction sites.

Physical Demands

Employee is required to operate vehicles that include, but are not limited to:

- Aerial lift

- Trencher

- Digger derricks

- Dump trucks

- Forklift

- Backhoe trucks

- Cable plow

- Wood Chipper

Employee uses a variety of hand tools, machines, and special equipment that include but is not limited to:

- Chain saw

- Air hammer

- Tree trimmer

- Boring tools

- Snowplow

- Crimping tools

- Hydraulic tools

- Compressor

- Torches

- Portable generator

- Shovel

- Variety of hand tools

Lifting & Carrying

Frequently to continuously uses hand tools weighing 10–50 lbs.

Occasionally (up to one‑third of the day) lifts and carries 10–50 lbs of cable equipment and tools.

Lifts conductor material weighing 50–100 lbs several times per week, typically with assistance.

Reaching

Regularly reaches below shoulder height.

Occasionally works at shoulder height.

Occasionally reaches above shoulder height.

Uses 8–12 ft ladders to access work areas.

Pushing & Pulling

Frequently pushes, pulls, and lifts while shoveling, pulling cables in trenches, loading or unloading poles or operating tools.

Climbing

Occasionally climbs out of trenches up to 4 ft deep, often daily during summer months.

Occasionally climbs ladders 8–12 ft.

Steps into and out of vehicles multiple times daily (10–20 times).

Twisting & Rotating

Performs frequent twisting and rotation of the hips, shoulders, and neck during shoveling and equipment operation.

Handling & Dexterity

Continuous finger dexterity is required for equipment and tool operation and cable stripping.

Uses firm grasping and gripping throughout the day when operating tools, crimpers, buckets, and shovels.

Stooping, Bending & Squatting

Frequently stoops, bends, and squats during daily tasks such as shoveling, and working on cables, conductors, and equipment; occasional short-duration squatting required.

Kneeling

Kneels frequently while working on underground transformers and related underground tasks.

Standing, Walking & Sitting

Stands for the majority of the workday while performing maintenance.

Walks approximately 30% of the day, often on uneven surfaces such as snow, ice, mud, or rough terrain.

Sits about 20% of the day while driving or completing administrative tasks (meetings, reports, timesheets).

Talking & Hearing

Communicates verbally while working independently or within a team.

Coordinates activities with coworkers and dispatch via two‑way radio.

Hearing is required to receive instructions and maintain safety around equipment and tools.

Vision

Must be able to read specifications, diagrams, maps, and part numbers.

Color vision (especially red, white, blue, and green) is essential for identifying electrical phases.

Depth perception is required continuously to maintain safe distances from energized conductors.

Foot Controls

Uses foot controls continuously while operating various vehicles and equipment, including digger derricks, backhoes, pickups, and forklifts.

All duties should be considered essential functions per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.