Designer

Designer Location: Amery, WI Onsite Flexibility: Hybrid Contract Details Position Type: Contract Contract Duration: 7 months (with potential to extend well beyond a year) Pay Rate: $26.00–$29.00 / Hour (USD) Shift / Schedule: Full-time. Hybrid schedule: in-office Tuesday–Thursday, remote Monday/Friday (if preferred). Option to work in the office up to 5 days/week; minimum 3 days in office required. Approximately 30% field work (varies by time of year). Overtime not expected; work-life balance emphasized. Travel Requirements: Local travel for field visits using personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement. Long-distance travel is possible; pre-approved and reimbursable. Mileage reimbursed. Hotels may be reimbursable if approved. Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time. Job Summary This role involves designing and managing electric distribution projects for new and existing customers. Responsibilities include customer interaction, project management, field assessments, and system design using a customized GIS platform (Smallworld). Tasks include transformer sizing, underground cable routing, and pole placement. The position involves collaborating with Operations and Distribution Engineers to ensure system reliability. The team includes 5 electric designers, 3 service designers, and 2 gas designers; this role will primarily support the electric side while collaborating with service and gas designers. The role primarily supports external customers — residential and/or commercial — with new service requests or modifications. The work environment is a hybrid of individual and team work in a collaborative office environment with idea sharing, along with a mix of field and office work. On-the-job training is provided, especially for proprietary systems, with proficiency expected in 6–9 months and full comfort with the role typically taking 2 years. Key Responsibilities Design and manage electric distribution projects for new and existing customers Interact with customers (residential and commercial) regarding new service requests or modifications Conduct project management across various customer projects simultaneously Perform field assessments at residential, commercial, and construction sites Perform system design using the client's Smallworld (customized GIS) platform Size transformers, route underground cables, and determine pole placement Collaborate with Operations and Distribution Engineers to ensure system reliability Check SAP for new customer contacts as part of daily workflow Conduct field visits or perform computer-based design work as required Attend weekly scheduling meetings (Monday/Tuesday) and team touchpoints (Thursday) Manage highly varied, day-to-day tasks, including changing priorities last minute to accommodate customers and/or high-profile or urgent matters Support the electric side of the team and collaborate with service and gas designers Effectively translate basic technical data to customers without prior knowledge in that area (explain concepts to the average layperson) Required Skills Strong communication skills — verbal and written Organizational and project management skills Basic electrical knowledge or background Familiarity with Microsoft Office Ability to effectively translate basic data to customers (average layperson) People skills and desire to learn; self-starter when required to work with limited supervision Adaptability, accountability, and independence Must have experience working end to end of an electric distribution project life cycle — not just a few parts Customer interaction experience; polished customer-facing communication skills Commitment to a long-term contract engagement Preferred Skills GIS or AutoCAD experience Electrical or utility background Experience working with customers in high-stress or high-demand environments Required Experience Experience managing various customer projects simultaneously Background in customer interaction or customer-facing roles Willingness to perform field work (comfort with field environments) Open to various backgrounds (e.g., construction, call center, public safety, etc.); no specific degree required Local candidates preferred (Wisconsin or Minnesota); willingness to relocate at own expense considered Work Environment / Physical Requirements Mix of field and office work; approximately 30% field work (varies by time of year) Field work includes visits to residential, commercial, and construction sites Safety gear will be provided: safety glasses, hard hat, safety vests, etc. Standard utility safety protocols apply Uses personal vehicle for field visits; mileage reimbursement provided May use pool/design cars if approved by managers No additional parking fees at the office Important Notes Candidates must be committed to a long-term engagement; frequent job changes (e.g., multiple roles under 6–12 months) are considered a red flag Pre-screening questions include: experience explaining technical or industry-specific concepts to non-technical customers; electrical or utility work experience; project management or coordination experience; previous experience working with various types of customers; willingness to relocate (if non-local); comfort with field work Interview format: in-person preferred; virtual (Teams) if needed. Typically one round, possibly two, with approximately 3 interviewers Non-local candidates must be willing to relocate at their own expense for the duration of the assignment Benefits Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans 401k Retirement Fund #J-18808-Ljbffr