Utility Technician

Salary: $51.67 - $60.79 Hourly
Location : Rochester Public Utilities, 4000 East River Road NE, Rochester MN 55906, MN
Job Type: Regular FT
Job Number: 20260034
Department: Rochester Public Utilities
Opening Date: 04/27/2026


POSITION DESCRIPTION
The City of Rochester invites applications for:

Utility Technician
Rochester Public Utilities
The City of Rochester is committed to a community where all members feel a sense of belonging. We commit to recognizing the diversity of our community members, listening to ALL voices and providing equitable services to create an inclusive place to live, play and work.

We believe EQUITY should be at the center of all our work. We strive to represent our community in our teammates, as we know that diverse and inclusive teams are more innovative, and have an empowering impact on the work, progress and culture of our community.

It takes us all working together

Nature of Work
The Utility Technician is responsible for performing electrical installation, testing, commissioning, calibration, and maintenance of protective relaying and control systems and other utility apparatus in electrical substations and generation facilities. Duties also include, but are not limited to, testing and troubleshooting utility electrical equipment such as communication systems, transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, switching devices, station power equipment, metering, SCADA equipment, and wiring; and field operation of substation switching devices. Additionally, this position may provide electrical services for other RPU facilities or customer facilities as required.

Work Schedule - The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm. This position requires 100% in-person work and you may be called to work outside of regular working hours based on the needs of the utility.
Pay - $51.67/hour with advancement to $60.79/hour after 18 months. These figures are based on the 2025 contract and will be updated when the 2026 contract is implemented.

Benefits - This position is eligible for benefits offered by the City of Rochester. Please check out the benefits tab at the top of the page for more details.
To have your application considered for the first round of interviews, please apply by 12 May 2026 at 11:59 PM CST.

The City of Rochester will not sponsor or transfer visas for this position including F1 OPT STEM.

Please note that candidates may be required to complete a written, job-related assessment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The work below is representative of the scope of work performed within this job classification. Individual job duties will vary based on work assignment.
*Conduct substation protection systems maintenance and equipment testing in compliance with NERC requirements.

• Test, calibrate, troubleshoot, maintain and repair protective relaying equipment, control systems, communication systems, and substation monitoring devices.
• Compile and maintain test and maintenance records in various paper and computerized files and databases.
• Perform revisions and update record drawings.
• Recommend changes to procedures to ensure the reliability and security of substation equipment and protection systems.

*Perform or assist in construction, commissioning, testing, and maintaining utility systems and equipment

• Collaborate with Engineering in the preparation of commissioning, calibration, and testing procedures.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Lead Utility Technician to review project electrical diagrams, schematics, and controls logic.
• Collaborate with the SCADA Engineer in the construction, operations, testing, calibration, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of SCADA system components, communications processors, automations controllers, telemetry communication equipment, and similar equipment. Investigate and correct communication problems between protective relaying systems or between the SCADA Master Station and the field RTU's, RTAC's, and PLCs.
• Inspect and perform initial operation of new protection and control systems and substation equipment; identify needs and recommend modifications of the job or systems when needed.
• Assist Engineering in the preparation of specifications, project cost estimates, and acceptable vendor lists.

*Perform inspections and maintenance of substations and utility equipment.

• Inspect the operating condition of substations and all associated equipment; act on or report any conditions that require maintenance, repair, or attention.
• Monitor, program, and maintain load management field equipment.
• Complete assigned scheduled maintenance work orders: prepare reports of work activity as may be required.
• Maintain and update digital files, drawings, and other records pertaining to the Utility's protective relays, SCADA communications systems, field equipment, and other electronic equipment.
• Perform technical projects relating to calibration, troubleshooting and maintenance on protective relaying and control systems.
• Identify equipment and material needs and requisition items as required.
• Repair, maintain, and support calibration requirements of RPU electronic test equipment.

*Perform or assist other electrical workers in construction, testing, electrical repair, or replacement of utility equipment.

• Perform or assist in substation equipment construction.
• Perform or assist Sr. Substation Electrician with general electrician duties for RPU Water department and Facilities department personnel.
• Provide technical support for Electric and Water utility equipment including electronic components of relaying and control systems, communication systems, metering, equipment controllers, and load management.
• Assist Lead Plant Electrician and perform such duties with RPU Power Resources department.

*Perform field operation of substation equipment.

• Write and proofread switching procedures for the safe isolation of equipment.
• Perform switching duties as directed by the System Operations department or others.

Other Duties

• Test, troubleshoot and repair distribution transformers.
• Oversee and provide the on-the-job training to apprentices or other electrical workers. Provide written documentation as required.
• Install, troubleshoot or remove load management control equipment when directed.
• Respond to after-hours callouts.
• Inspect and care for vehicles, tools and equipment assigned to the crew.
• Prepare written requisitions for Stores materials. Receive and account for all materials issued from Stores and removed from service.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

* ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Associates degree from an accredited curriculum in Electrical Engineering Technology or similar discipline and eight or more years of combined experience in power system relaying, PLC's, electric equipment control and communication systems; maintenance, operation, and construction of utility or industrial electrical substations and associated equipment.

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job may also be considered at the discretion of the hiring supervisor/manager.
Special Training Relay and control theory and applications, substation equipment maintenance and operation, electric metering, and high voltage electrical safety.

Licenses and Certifications
Valid Minnesota driver's license class D.
Minnesota State Class A Journeyworker Electrician License
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Experience Additional two years of combined experience in power system relaying, control and communication systems; maintenance, operation and construction of utility or industrial electrical substations and associated equipment.

Proficiency in PLC programming, testing, and troubleshooting within industrial or utility environments.
Special Training
Electric revenue metering classes

Licenses and Certifications Minnesota State Class A Master Electrician License, or ability to acquire within one year.

If this work interests you but you are unsure if you meet all the job requirements listed above, please apply anyway! Your experience is likely more applicable to the role than you think, and the City is interested in candidates who can bring not only technical expertise but a variety of lived experience to the team.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
THIS POSITION MAY BE COVERED BY THE CITY'S RESPIRATORY PROTECTION PROGRAM (based on job assignment)
Employees in this position are required to use respiratory equipment and the City of Rochester will conform to all State and Federal requirements in administering this program.


THIS POSITION IS COVERED BY RPU'S AREA RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT In order to provide timely services, RPU has designated specific positions which must comply with an area residency requirement, based on job-related necessity where employees in such positions must reside within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location.

New Hires
Individuals hired for designated positions with RPU covered by an area residency requirement who do not meet this requirement shall be allowed no more than twelve (12) months, from their date of hire, in order to meet the thirty (30) driving mile requirement.

Current Employees RPU employees in designated positions covered by the area residency requirement and who reside at a location that allows them to report to work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified, prior to March 9, 2012, shall be deemed to comply with RPU's area residency requirement provided that they remain at their current address. If a current RPU employee in a designated position covered by the area residency requirement relocates, their new address/residence must be located within thirty (30) driving miles of their normally scheduled work reporting location and notice must be given to their immediate supervisor prior to relocating to ensure compliance with the area residency requirement.

Promotional Opportunities
Promotions to designated RPU positions covered by an area residency requirement shall be withheld from employees whose address/residence is located more than thirty (30) driving miles from the normally scheduled work reporting location of their new position, with the exception of employees who are willing to relocate within 12 months from date of promotion in order to comply with the thirty (30) driving mile area residence requirement; OR employees who immediately prior to their promotion were in a designated position and resided at a location that allowed them to report to work within thirty (30) minutes from the time notified.

Noncompliance with Residency Requirements In the event that an employee fails to comply with the residency requirement, the employee will be considered to no longer meet the minimum requirements of the position. In such instance, the City will take formal action, up to and including termination. An employee may be granted an extension if there is credible basis, as determined by the employer, for justification as to why the employee has failed to comply. Said basis shall consist of circumstances not caused or controlled by the employee.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRITERIA
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the following represents the physical and environmental demands for this position. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions with or without accommodation.


In consideration of the overall amount of physical effort required to perform this position, the work is best described as Medium Work to Heavy Work: Exerting from 50 pounds up to 100 of force occasionally, and/or from 20-50 pounds of force frequently, and from 10-20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.



Physical demands that may be required continuously (2/3 or more of the time), frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time), and occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time) are noted below:


Continuous demands: sitting, standing,
Frequent demands: lifting, walking
Occasional demands: climbing, bending, kneeling, crawling, and crouching



Sensory requirements necessary in the performance of the essential functions of this position include: sight, smell, hearing and touch.



Environmental conditions While work may be completed indoors with limited exposure to any elements, work in the performance of the essential functions of this job may include:


Extreme cold (below 32 degrees)
Extreme heat (above 100 degrees)
Noise (needing to shout in order to be heard)
Vibration (exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or whole body)
Exposure to dust/gas/fumes/steam/chemicals
Work outdoors (no effective protection from weather)
Walk on uneven ground (gravel, rocks, mounds, construction sites)
Work at heights (such as on scaffolding or ladders or aerial lifts)
Working around moving machinery (fork-lifts, excavation equipment, trucks, cranes)
Protective equipment required (respirator, mask, earplugs, gloves, eyewear, arc resistant clothing etc.)
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT AND RETIREMENT SUMMARY
01


By completing your application and supplemental questions you are attesting all information is true, accurate, and verifies your relevant education and experience. Your submitted materials will be used to determine your employment eligibility. Do you understand and agree with this statement?

• Yes
• No

02


Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status)?

• Yes
• No

03


Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

04


What is your preferred name?
05


Which of the following best describes your level of education in the electrical field?

• High school diploma or equivalent G.E.D.
• Less than 2 years post-secondary training
• Completion of a 2 year trade school program
• Completion of a 4 year apprenticeship program
• Completion of both a 2 year trade school and 4 year apprenticeship program
• None of the above

06


Other than your high school diploma, which of the following best describes your field of study for your program or degree?

• Electrical engineering
• Electronics technology
• Electrician
• A field of study closely related to the above
• My degree is in an area NOT RELATED to any of the above
• N/A - I do not have a degree

07


Which is your highest level of licensure with the options listed below?

• Master Electrician
• Journeyman Electrician
• Maintenance Electrician
• Lineworker
• Power Limited Technician
• N/A - None of the above

08


Tell us how your professional, educational, and lived experiences would help you be successful in this role. Be sure to include any certifications and/or experience you feel should be considered.
09


Which of the following best describes your years of full-time equivalent employment experience in power system relaying, PLC's, electrical control and communication systems; and/or general maintenance, operation, and construction of utility or industrial electrical substations and associated equipment?

• No experience
• Less than 3 years
• More than 3 years, but less than 6
• More than 6 years, but less than 8
• More than 8 years, but less than 10
• More than 10 years, but less than 12
• 12 or more years

10


Please indicate the primary type of facility your experience was utilized.

• Industrial
• Power Generation
• Commercial
• Residential
• I do not have experience in any of these types of facilities
• My experience is in a type of facility not specified above

11


What voltages did your electrical experience include? (select all that apply)

• I have no experience with any of these voltages
• 120/240 VAC
• 480/600 VAC
• 2400 VAC
• 13,800 VAC
• >13,800 VAC

12


Did your employment experience include working with any of the following? (Select all that apply)

• Protective relays
• Electrical and electronics theory
• Digital or Analog control systems
• Using computerized test equipment (oscilloscope, megger, digital multimeter)
• Reading and interpreting electrical and control schematics
• Reading and interpreting one-line diagrams
• Control logic and PLC systems
• Motor Control Center maintenance
• N/A - None of the above

13


Did your electrical history include training or experience in any of the following areas? (Select all that apply)

• Lock-Out Tag-Out procedures
• Coordination of Switching Orders
• Combustion turbine plant operations
• Hydro-electric operations
• Electrical switchboards, circuits breakers and exporting power to the grid
• NEC and NESC compliance work
• Compliance work for NERC requirements
• I have no training in or experience with any of these areas

14


CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: If selected as a finalist, are you willing to undergo a background investigation which may include, but not limited to, verification of employment and education records, identification verification, drier's license record, and criminal history.

• Yes
• No

Required Question