Meter Technician Apprentice

Power Your Career. Empower Our Community.

Dakota Electric Association is more than an electric utility—we’re a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative serving over 117,000 members. Ranked among the top 25 electric distribution cooperatives in the nation, we put people first: our members, employees, and the communities we call home.

Join a team where your work truly matters. You’ll help deliver reliable energy while strengthening the bonds that make our cooperative thrive. Based in Farmington, MN, our culture is built on safety, reliability, and member-focused service. Founded in 1937, we are an organization guided by integrity, environmental stewardship, innovation, and a deep commitment to community.

Meter Technician Apprentice

Join the team that powers what matters. Program, test, install, and operate meters and load‑management equipment efficiently and effectively.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting wage: $44.57 per hour

We also offer a robust and competitive benefits package, including:

• 401(k) and Roth 401(k) with 6% employer contribution plus up to 4% match
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• HSA and FSA options
• Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance
• Tuition reimbursement and wellness reimbursement
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, volunteer time, sick leave, and personal day

Minimum Requirements:

• High School diploma or equivalent is required.
• A minimum of six credits of vocational school courses in electricity, electronics, or metering are required. Training and experience in electric metering may be considered in lieu of the required education.
• Must hold a valid driver's license

Responsibilities:

Physical Demands:

Occasionally the meter technician will carry on the job two #10 wire reels weighing up to 85 pounds each.

Occasionally, he/she will also carry voltage transformers (20 pounds), a 14-pound tool pouch, and/or meter boxes weighing 36 pounds each. The technician frequently will load meters, and electronic test equipment weighing from 20 to 50 pounds, into a truck.

The employee is frequently reaching below, above, and at waist level when pulling wire during a service installation, a DSM installation and when obtaining warehouse materials from shelves ranging from 8\" to 60\" in height. The employee is reaching and working below shoulder level frequently when installing and changing meters, working on DSM installations and when loading/unloading equipment into the truck.

When changing meters, the employee will be required to push and pull a two-wheeler carrying a load of meter boxes and equipment which may weigh up to 240 pounds. The employee is pulling wire and loading/unloading equipment daily.

Approximately 30 to 50 pounds of pressure is used on a frequent basis when closing the meter ring over the meter box. Occasionally, when meter installation and verification of transformer rated overhead services is required, the employee may have to pull oneself up into an aerial bucket.

On a frequent basis, the employee is required to climb stairs at residential and commercial sites.

Occasionally employees step 2 1/2 feet to the van platform and then into bucket and climb 2 feet to 30 feet on ladders. Also, on an occasional basis, the employee may have to climb into and out of holes at construction sites and climb steep inclines due to landscaping.

The meter technician is frequently twisting and rotating from the hips, shoulders, and the neck while changing and testing meters, climbing into van, and climbing into and out of a truck. Flexion, extension, and rotating of the neck are required when driving.

Employees are required to handle a variety of hand tools. Finger dexterity is required while using calculator, computer, VOM meter, and transmitter.

Firm gripping and grasping are used while crimping and wire stripping, tightening connections, operating levers on boom, toggle switches on van and rocker switches on testing equipment.

The meter technician stands, bending, and squatting when wiring a service, installing or changing a meter, and loading and unloading from two-wheeler to truck. Employees frequently bend and squat when getting into and out of a bucket and when troubleshooting.

The employee is frequently kneeling when wiring services, doing DSM troubleshooting, and installing and changing meters, when testing equipment, and when loading and unloading a truck.

The meter technician will walk approximately 40 percent of the day. The technician will stand 30 percent of the day when installing services and changing meters. The employee is sitting 30 percent of the day when driving and doing paperwork.

Talking and hearing are required to communicate in person, on the phone, and on the radio with employees, electricians and customers. Hearing is also used to listen for action of relays and radio signals.

Eyesight is necessary to see color coding on wires, peak alert signals, to read schematics and wiring diagrams, and operate computers. A technician uses eyesight while driving, wiring, installing and testing.

Working in a bucket extended to 30 feet is frequent. Occasionally a technician may be required to work from a ladder, on a roof, and on scaffolding.

The use of foot controls is required while driving.

All duties should be considered essential functions per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.