Site Engineer (Full Time)
Location: Palmer
Position - Status SITE ENGINEER - RFT Who can apply? MEA Employees & General Public
Posting Date September 15, 2026
Closing Date Open Until Filled
Department Engineering
Annually $101,961 Min DOE
Grade 11
Union Representation N/A
Hours of Work 8AM-5PM
Work Location Palmer, AK
PURPOSE This position designs and constructs transmission, distribution and switch yard/substation facilities. The position coordinates projects to ensure on budget and timely completion of reliable, high quality transmission and switch yard/substation facilities.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION 1. Review plans and specifications for project construction.
2. Monitor and report the progress of assigned projects relative to schedule and compares the results to current budget and work plan.
3. Prepare and maintain transmission, distribution, and substation unit cost data for various types of evaluations.
4. Evaluate the cost effectiveness of construction methods and schedules.
5. Review and make recommendations regarding special studies to support project selection and technical operation, as assigned.
6. Review design criteria for the facilities to be constructed.
7. Perform inspections of the work of technicians, contractors, subcontractors, and vendors/manufacturer's representatives on transmission and substation construction project sites.
8. Coordinate outage switching and clearance requirements with the appropriate power dispatch centers.
9. Review engineering, manufacturer and contractor submittals, specifications, and other written material to ensure conformance with project requirements.
10. Provide feedback and direction to consulting engineers performing engineering services for transmission, distribution, and substation projects.
11. Prepare contract documents and administers contracts for procurement of transmission and substation equipment and materials, engineering services and construction.
12. Prepare project and contract close out documentation.
13. Review and recommend contractor/vendor invoices for approval, within authorized limits.
14. Prepare construction change orders and negotiate the cost of change orders with contractors for transmission, distribution, and substation projects, within authorized limits.
15. Verify equipment acceptance tests in conformance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
16. Participate in external committee assignments on behalf of the Association.
17. Consult and coordinate with Federal, State and local agencies regarding location of facilities, construction methods and schedules to minimize conflict.
18. Provide technical assistance to member-owners and other concerned parties to resolve substation/transmission/distribution voltage/outage problems and recommends corrective action to be taken.
19. Provide direction and guidance to other employees in department to accomplish a task, goal, or solve a problem.
20. Review and makes recommendation for operation and maintenance practices and activities.
21. Promotes a safety culture in which safety is a value. This culture is based on joint and individual engagement, ownership, and accountability regarding job safety and responsibility to perform work safely and adhere to safe work practices.
22. Performs the essential functions of the position in a safe and efficient manner.
The above items are not intended to be all inclusive of the essential functions or requirements of this type of work as they are subject to change based on operating necessity. The employee will also perform other related business duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS Qualified candidates are required to have:
- A bachelors degree in electrical; or
- A bachelors degree in engineering (other than electrical) plus two (2) years of relevant experience.
- A valid drivers license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Associations Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Associations insurance carrier at standard group rates.
Preference may be given to candidates based on the following criteria:
- Completed the Fundamentals of Engineering Exam.
- Engineering experience in the design and construction of substations, system protection, distribution and transmission lines.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Support a culture of safety excellence through active involvement in safety improvement and promote a sense of shared responsibility for safety.
Advance knowledge of workflows pertaining to design,permitting, and construction.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, AutoCAD, and/or GIS software.
Knowledge of electrical system design analysis, spreadsheets, databases, creating and manipulating spreadsheets and word processing.
Knowledge of the FERC Accounting System and the ability to interpret the National Electrical Safety Code and other relevant codes and regulations.
Knowledge of substation operations and procedures, Association policies and procedures, and applicable codes and policies of local city, county, state, and federal regulatory agencies.
Knowledge of construction methods and standards, materials, and equipment used in electrical design and wiring, maintenance procedures and practices, and safety procedures and practices.
Skill in solving problems complex in nature.
Skill in organizing and managing projects.
Skill in effectively and professionally communicating with contractors, members, and/or other stakeholders.
Skill in communicating via writing and verbally with diverse audiences.
Ability to track costs, schedules and other data as necessary on projects.
Ability to effectively communicate through professional verbal and written communication.
Ability to solve problems based on facts and sound engineering judgment.
Ability to translate engineering knowledge into sound, economical design.
Ability to carry out several simultaneous projects through from inception to completion as expeditiously as practicable with limited supervision.
Ability to organize, coordinate and schedule various projects; interpret union contracts; prepare comprehensive reports; and supervise the work of others.
Ability to develop and document new procedures and techniques to assure quality and expedite response of service to internal and external customers.
Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to maintain confidentiality when necessary.
Ability to write a wide variety of detailed reports to management or the public about such complex issues as large line extension problems, various cost estimates, alternative line extension options, complex electrical problems, major accidents, etc.
Ability to represent the Associations interests at community council meetings and other venues.
Ability to facilitate cooperation between work groups and work functionally across all levels of the organization.
Ability to self-motivate improvement based on successes and failures.
Ability to analyze processes for efficiency and make recommendations for improvements.
Embrace and embody the Associations Core Values through decisions, actions, attitude, and behavior to directly contribute to the success of the organization.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; this list is not inclusive of all the physical demands that may be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical demand activity percentages:
- Major occurs 60% or more of work time.
- Moderate occurs between 20-60% of work time.
- Minor occurs less than 20% of work time.
Physical demand requirements:
- Ability to understand, read, and carry out written instructions.
- Ability to understand, read, and verify documents electronically, verbally, or hard copy.
- Major amount of communicating.
- Major amount of hearing and near/far seeing which requires a moderate amount of depth perception.
- Major amount of sitting, lifting up to fifty (50) pounds, and finger use.
- Moderate amount of standing, walking, kneeling, crouching, and handling of items.
- Minor amount of carrying/pushing up to fifty (50) pounds, crawling, turning/twisting, and bending at waist.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position primarily works in an office setting; however, this position may require fieldwork in variable weather conditions.
The incumbent must be able to work in variable weather conditions including, but not limited to rain, high winds, temperatures in excess of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, large amounts of snow, possibly over long periods of time and in darkness, etc.
This position is subject to insect bites and stings.
EMPLOYMENT STATUS This position is classified as an exempt, non-represented position; and therefore is not eligible for overtime compensation. All Association employees are expected to work widely varying amounts of time outside the normal shifts to assist in power restoration or other needs of the Association.
To apply, please visit to submit an application by the closing date.
Matanuska Electric Association, Inc.
163 East Industrial Way (P.O. Box 2929), Palmer, Alaska99645
Telephone: (907) 761-9218/ Fax:(907) 761-9264
Benefits Include - 401(k) matching 2%
- Medical, Dental, Vision insurance - $120/month for entire family
- Life insurance 100% paid by MEA
- Long Term Disability 100% paid by MEA
- Employee assistance program
- Paid time off starts at 3.385 hrs/wk
- 11.5 paid holidays per year.
- Retirement Defined Benefit plan/Pension
