Subtransmission & Distribution System Control Operator Apprentice

Salary Range - $37.37 -$46.71
Location - Kearney, NE Kearney Operations Center
Employment Type: Full Time
Posting Date: Tuesday June 30th 2026
Closing Date: Tuesday July 14th 2026

Position Summary

This position is responsible for critical tasks that ensure the safe and reliable operation of NPPD's jointly operated sub-transmission system (
Education, Training and Experience

Requires a technical school degree in a related electrical field, or a high school diploma/GED plus three years of related electrical experience.

Related Experience: Includes utility line work, substation operations, commercial, residential, or industrial electrical work, utility power plant operations, electrical engineering, telecommunications, electronics, utility system control, power system planning, and electric utility engineering technician roles.

A bachelor's degree in a related field may be considered as a substitute for up to three years of the required related electrical experience.

Other relevant work experience or demonstrated performance that shows the applicant has the skills and ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered in place of the specified education or experience requirements.

Applicants will be placed into the Sub transmission & Distribution System Control Operator Progression Program.

Licenses and/or Certifications

Must meet the probationary requirements of NPPD's Sub transmission & Distribution System Control Operator Progression Program and qualify as an Operator II within one year.

Must obtain NPPD switching and clearance holder certifications.

Must establish and maintain an acceptable NERC security background check.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Successfully complete per NPPD standards, classroom and on the job training to become System Control Operator ll qualified utilizing NPPD's Sub-transmission & Distribution System Control Operator Progression Program and Operator Training Design.

Coordinate, write, review, and execute switching of sub-transmission and distribution lines and associated substation equipment in a manner that will not jeopardize the safety of personnel and equipment by utilizing human performance tools and checks.

Evaluate contingency conditions, validate 115 kV line paths, and leverage arcing kVA studies and phase angle calculations to shape reliable switching strategies. During loop splitting operations, balance system voltage and VAR flow to reduce arcing risk, confirm that load shifts occur without violating equipment limiting factors, and is guided by historical load trends and seasonal load variation patterns.

Monitor line and substation equipment and react to changes in system requirements due to variations in system load conditions and other factors while ensuring they are operated within established limits and guidelines. This includes response to emergency conditions such as loss of transmission, sub-transmission, distribution lines, and/or substation facilities. Remain abreast of the status of the high voltage transmission system (NPPD and neighboring systems) that impacts the sub-transmission and distribution systems.

Assess and mitigate unplanned outages across the joint sub transmission and NPPD distribution systems by applying SCADA based fault interrogation, advanced outage management platforms, and real time telemetry to isolate abnormal system conditions and coordinate restoration strategies. Monitor statewide radio emergency traffic to detect emerging system events and verify field conditions, while issuing timely urgent customer notifications and completing high visibility tasks such as preparing outage reports and maintaining accurate outage detail tracking.

Verify that electronic switching maps within NPPD's outage management and SCADA systems are continuously updated, accurate, and fully synchronized with real world switch and device configurations.

Implement and optimize NPPD's distribution load control functions and associated settings to support efficient system performance and reliable load management.

Expected to live within 30 minutes of the Kearney Control Center, in the event of a call-in for emergency switching. This position is responsible for an extremely critical part of NPPD's operations and is expected to be available in the event of emergencies.

Accountable for other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies

Customer Focus
Employees & Teamwork/Diversity & Inclusion
Integrity/Excellence
Public Service/Environmental Stewardship
Safety
Salary Information - Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary range listed below, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range. Successful applicants will be provided more information regarding the incentive program at the time of an interview.

Pay Grade - 12 Hourly

Typical Pay Grade Starting Salary Range: $37.37 - $46.71

Travel Required: Up to 25% (With no or minimal overnight stays, less than 3 per month, typically within state of Nebraska) Travel required may fluctuate by business need. This is an estimate and will be discussed further with candidates that receive an interview.

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary and an excellent benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid medical, training opportunities and more.

Benefits

Customers around the state know what to expect from NPPD - quality, reliability and performance excellence. Our values also extend to the way we take care of our employees and their families. We remain on the leading edge by providing competitive benefits that respond to the diverse lifestyles of our people in an ever-changing world.

Salary

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary listed in posting, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.

Retirement Savings

NPPD employees may participate in two retirement plan options - a 401(k) plan and a 457(b) plan. Both plans allow for pre-tax or Roth contributions. After the first six months of employment, the 401(k) plan includes a generous matching contribution from NPPD. The five-year vesting period begins on an employee's hire date. Our retired employees are eligible for retiree healthcare benefits as well as a life benefit paid out to designated beneficiaries upon their passing.

Health & Wellness

At NPPD, we care about the health and wellness of our employees. We offer new teammates two competitive hospital / medical plan options to fit their lifestyle and family needs. We also make an annual contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts, which can be used to offset out-of-pocket expenses. Employees and their spouse are invited to participate in a variety of wellness initiatives offered throughout the year as a way to enhance their wellness, reduce health risks and promote healthy lifestyles.

Other Benefits

Employees earn vacation on a schedule commensurate with their years of service. We also offer paid holidays as well as personal and family medical leave, including birth mother recovery leave and parental child bonding leave. All full-time employees receive a life insurance policy equivalent to two times the participant's annual salary at no cost to the employee. NPPD also offers dental and vision insurance as well as personal accident, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, pre-paid legal/identity theft, and short-and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional benefits include college tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance and complimentary access to an Employee Assistance Program.