Start your next career with Lake Region Electric Cooperative!
We are a member-owned, community-focused electric, natural gas, and energy services company. We work to efficiently deliver affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy to our members with over 30,000 services.
Located in Pelican Rapids, 45 miles SE of Fargo/Moorhead, we serve the heart of Minnesota lake country, including the counties of Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Wilkin and Wadena.
Vision: Leading, empowering, guiding members to use energy wisely to secure a better future for our families, our communities, and our world.
Mission: Provide our members with safe, reliable affordable energy, and lead by offering innovative services to grow the cooperative.
If you are ready to join a team that believes in their mission and takes pride in what they do for our membership, apply for one of our open positions today! Job offer rates are determined based on the candidate’s specific education, experience, knowledge, skills, and in alignment with market data.
The total compensation package for full-time employees includes:
Company Paid:
- Single Coverage, Medical Insurance
- HRA & HSA contribution
- 401k match and discretionary contributions
- Long-term disability insurance
- Life Insurance
Employee Paid:
- Medical Insurance for dependents
- Dental & Vision Insurance
- Flexible Benefit Plan
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Other supplemental benefit offerings
Value adds:
- Generous paid time-off accrual
- 10 paid holidays
- On-site fitness center
- Annual uniform allowance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
These positions will remain open for 30 days or until filled; however, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible as the review process will begin right away.
Careers
Drilling/Boring Machine Operator
Full-Time I Pelican Rapids, MN
Responsible for installing underground electric utility infrastructure by operating and maintaining horizontal directional drilling (HDD) equipment. Works closely with line crews to safely and accurately complete underground construction projects that support the cooperative’s distribution system.
This is hands-on, outdoor work requiring technical skill, teamwork, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to safety.
- Key Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain HDD equipment for underground utility installations
- Read staking sheets, assess soil conditions, mix drill fluids, and use electronic guidance systems
- Assist with underground plow, backhoe, and digger derrick operations to create trenches and bore paths
- Qualifications
- Minimum 2 years of experience operating horizontal directional drilling (HDD) equipment
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Class A CDL with tanker endorsement
- Experience operating underground digging equipment and related construction machinery
- Intermediate technology and computer skills
- Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities
- Schedule & Work Environment
- Standard work hours Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with overtime as needed
- Assistance required during major outages
- Physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions
This is a union position with a starting wage of $31.00–$38.00 per hour, based on experience, with a structured training progression and wage adjustments over 2–3 years. See details above regarding our competitive total compensation package.
👉View the full job description and apply below.
Apprentice to Journeyman Line Worker
Full-Time I Ottertail, MN
Power your career in Minnesota’s lakes country as a full-time Line Worker based in Ottertail, MN. Whether you are starting your career or already a certified Journeyman, this is an opportunity to grow your skills, work outdoors in one of Minnesota’s most scenic regions, and serve communities that rely on you every day. Candidates must live within a 20min commute of the facility (211 Main St East Ottertail, MN).
This position plays a critical role in constructing, operating, and maintaining overhead and underground electric distribution systems to ensure safe, reliable service to our members. Apprentices will progress through a recognized training program toward Journeyman certification while working alongside experienced crew members.
- Qualifications
- Graduate of a technical college line worker program and/or enrollment in a recognized apprenticeship program
- Journeyman certification preferred (for Journeyman applicants)
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Class A CDL to safely execute operation of all types of equipment including bucket & digger trucks, cable plow and backhoe.
- Knowledge of electrical systems, safety standards, and equipment operation
- Intermediate computer proficiency, with ability to use mobile devices and Microsoft Office products including Outlook.
- Schedule & Work Environment
- Standard work hours Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., with overtime as needed
- All employees are subject to call-out in the event of an emergency or other needed restoration of service.
- Position is required to be available to respond within 30min during a scheduled weekly on-call rotation, on average, every 4 weeks.
- Physically demanding outdoor work in varying weather conditions
This is a union position with a starting wage of $32.18/hr for Apprentice up to $50.95/hr for Journeyman, based on experience, with a structured training progression and wage adjustments over 6 month – 4 years. See details above regarding our competitive total compensation package.
If you’re ready to build a long-term career with a stable, member-focused cooperative, view the full job description and apply below.
Line Workers (Seasonal)
Temporary Full-Time I Pelican Rapids and Ottertail, MN
Each year, we offer recent graduates the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the electric utility industry through our Temporary Line Worker positions. These seasonal roles work alongside experienced journeyman lineworkers and equipment operators, supporting the construction, operation, and maintenance of electric distribution lines and substations.
Temporary Line Workers assist with a variety of field activities, including loading and unloading poles, pulling cable, setting overhead poles, digging holes and trenches, and supporting underground and overhead construction projects. This is physically demanding, outdoor work that provides valuable real-world experience in a team-based utility environment.
- For the 2026 season, five positions are available from mid-May through November:
- Four positions based in Pelican Rapids, MN
- One position based in Ottertail, MN
These positions are ideal for individuals who have completed, or are completing, a technical college lineworker program and are looking to build skills, confidence, and experience in the field. Requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Class A Commercial Drivers License.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions: Ability to work outdoors with great physical exertion. Frequently lift materials and equipment up to 50 lbs. Occasionally lift items weighing up to 100 lbs. Shovel dirt, work around noisy equipment.
Schedule: Capacity to work standard work hours, Monday – Friday 7:30AM – 4:00PM, and overtime as needed. Assistance will be expected during major outages.
The pay for this position starts at $24.00 – 25.00 per hour. Job offer rates are determined based on the candidate’s specific education, experience, and in alignment with market data.
👉 View the full position description and apply below.
Generator Technician (Seasonal)
Full or Part-Time I Pelican Rapids, MN
Our energy services team takes our vision of guiding usage of energy wisely to a different level. They offer products and services beyond standard electrical power lines. We are currently seeking candidates for small engine technician positions.
- Qualifications for the position include:
- Must be 18yrs of age and able to pass a MN-DOT physical, due to the requirement to use power driven hoisting & loading apparatus’ and motor vehicle’s to load and transport equipment.
- Intermediate computer proficiency, with ability to use Microsoft Office products.
- Professional, helpful, and courteous written and verbal communication skills.
- Ideal standard work hours, Monday – Friday 7:30AM – 4:00PM; willing to be flexible, as needed.
LREC offers a generous compensation package. The pay range for this position will be $20 – $22.00 per hour. Job offer rates are determined based on the candidate’s specific education, experience, knowledge, skills, and in alignment with market data.
Job offers are conditional upon successful completion of pre-employment screening which may include a physical examination, drug screening, background check, reference check, and motor vehicle record check as applicable to the position.
LREC is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, public assistance, age, marital status, familial status, or protected veteran status. To learn more, view your EEO rights under the law.
How to Apply
A completed application, which requires a signature via the application process, is only considered for the applied indicated position. Submit an application for each position to which you intend to be considered. A cover letter and resume may be attached during the online application process.
Contact Human Resources regarding the accessibility of our website, an accommodation request, or assistance needed in completing the application process, via email HR@lrec.coop, or phone 800-552-7658.
