Transmission Maintenance Specialist I or IILocation: Fergus Falls
Salary grade 10 or 12
As a Transmission Maintenance Specialist I or II, you will administer assigned vegetation and/or asset maintenance programs, coordinate inspections, evaluate findings, plan corrective work, oversee contractors, and ensure work is properly documented through completion. The level offered will be based on the selected candidate's education, experience, and demonstrated ability to independently lead maintenance programs.
This position reports to Manager Engineering I, Transmission.
Key Responsibilities- Administer assigned transmission maintenance, inspection, asset, and vegetation management activities while promoting compliance with company and contractor safety requirements.
- Coordinate inspection scopes and schedules, review reports for completeness, resolve discrepancies, prioritize findings, and track mitigation activities through closure.
- Develop maintenance plans using inspection data, outage schedules, field input, regulatory requirements, asset conditions, customer considerations, and available budgets.
- Monitor project costs, productivity, risks, materials, contractor performance, and resource needs while maintaining accurate records and communicating progress to stakeholders.
- Plan and coordinate vegetation management activities, including routine clearing, hazard-tree removal, mowing, field audits, and chemical spray programs.
- Oversee tree, spray, patrol, audit, and maintenance contractors by defining work scopes, evaluating quality and productivity, verifying completion, reviewing invoices, and addressing performance concerns.
- Review inspection findings, photographs, test results, drawings, and field observations to assess asset conditions and prioritize deficiencies based on safety, reliability, criticality, and potential consequences.
- Develop scopes of work, work orders, material lists, procurement requirements, technical documentation, and corrective maintenance plans.
- Coordinate effectively with Engineering, Reliability Planning, Operations, Surveying, Land Rights, GIS, Supply Chain, Finance, joint owners, agencies, customers, landowners, contractors, and field personnel.
- Maintain awareness of applicable regulations, technical requirements, company standards, and industry practices, including NERC FAC-003, NESC, RUS, and ANSI standards.
- Identify conditions requiring engineering analysis and coordinate practical corrective solutions.
- At the Specialist II level, independently lead assigned programs from planning through execution and closeout, resolve complex field and contractor issues, contribute to budget planning and process improvement, and serve as a technical and program resource.
Minimum QualificationsTransmission Maintenance Specialist I- Associate degree or technical diploma in Engineering Technology, Utility Technology, Construction Management, Natural Resources, Forestry, Arboriculture, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and utility experience.
- Up to three years of relevant experience in utility vegetation management, transmission construction, inspection, maintenance, design, asset management, forestry, arboriculture, or a related field.
- Ability to review technical information, identify potential deficiencies, recommend actions using established guidance, and seek assistance when appropriate.
- Strong analytical, organizational, communication, documentation, problem-solving, and prioritization skills.
- Ability to coordinate assigned work and collaborate effectively with contractors and internal and external stakeholders.
Transmission Maintenance Specialist II- Associate degree or technical diploma in Engineering Technology, Utility Technology, Construction Management, Natural Resources, Forestry, Arboriculture, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and utility experience.
- At least three years of progressively responsible experience in utility vegetation management, transmission construction, inspection, maintenance, design, asset management, forestry, arboriculture, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience independently coordinating contractors, programs, work priorities, costs, and technical documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to evaluate complex findings, assess risk, establish priorities, recommend practical mitigation strategies, and resolve contractor or field issues.
- Ability to independently manage multiple work activities, exercise sound judgment, and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
Requirements for Both Levels- Ability to read and interpret inspection reports, work records, standards, specifications, maps, drawings, and other technical information.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and the ability to learn or use work-management, asset-management, inspection, GIS, and information-management systems.
- Ability to travel throughout the service territory, conduct field visits in varying conditions, and meet company driving requirements.
Preferred Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology, Utility Technology, Construction Management, Natural Resources, Forestry, Arboriculture, or a related field.
- Electric utility industry experience, particularly in vegetation management, transmission construction, inspection, maintenance, design, or asset management.
- For the Specialist II level, five or more years of progressively responsible related experience and demonstrated success independently leading a maintenance, vegetation management, inspection, or asset maintenance program.
- Experience coordinating field work and managing contractor performance, budgets, work quality, procurement or material needs, and corrective actions.
- Working knowledge of relevant utility standards and requirements, including NERC FAC-003, NESC, RUS, ANSI, environmental requirements, and company standards.
- Engineering or engineering technology education or experience for asset maintenance assignments.
- Forestry, arboriculture, or vegetation management education or experience for vegetation maintenance assignments.
- Experience with work-management, asset-management, inspection, GIS, PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, or AutoCAD applications, as applicable to the assignment.
If you are a safety-minded, collaborative professional who enjoys combining technical analysis, field coordination, and practical problem-solving, we encourage you to apply.
What We OfferWe believe employment is a partnership and we expect excellence from our talented employees. To support our employees and help drive their career experience and goals.
- Competitive wage & benefit package.
- The expected offer for base compensation for this role is $69,000 - $116,000 annually. The actual compensation within the compensation range will vary based on factors relevant to the position.
- Incentive plans
- Employee Stock Ownership options
- Retirement Savings Fund with employer match
- Health, disability and life insurance plan options
- Our employees are provided training and development opportunities each year, including education reimbursement. This includes safety - one of our values and key to our success - technical, compliance and developmental training.
- Career development is critical to our long-term success. Otter Tail Power employees have opportunities to participate in various leadership development programs, gain access to an a la carte online leadership course catalog, receive mentorship from current leaders and more!
- Mental health support from the experts at SupportLinc as well as competitive vacation and sick leave to ensure employees are at their best when they're working.
To apply, visit our careers page at www.otpco.com. Applications accepted through November 27, 2026.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship at this time.
