Entrylevel Operations Engineer Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

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Columbus, NE, US, 68602-0499

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) has an immediate opening for a Sub-Transmission Planning Engineer I/II/III located at the Columbus General Office in Columbus, Nebraska. Position closes September 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Central Time.

Position Summary

Position provides daily support for Operations, Maintenance, trending system performance and initiating actions to restore/improve system performance and reliability, troubleshooting off-normal system conditions, failure and root cause analysis, evaluating proposed configuration changes, recommendations to maintain asset value, and coordinating maintenance-related projects. Assignments are designed to develop general knowledge of professional engineering practice in the electric utility industry and introduce customer/supplier communication skills. In addition to the general engineering activities above, job-specific knowledge and expectations for this individual role will include:

Sub-transmission Planning: Develop short-term and long-term Subtransmission plans and provide operational support in the area of Subtransmission planning. These plans identify improvements required to serve projected load increases and help solve operational problems.

Education, Training and Experience

Level I to Level III is considered a progression and is approved by the appropriate manager. District engineering positions are managed under the Engineering Technical Career Path.

Level I:

Bachelor's degree in engineering from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited university or college is required, or Professional Engineering (PE) License and bachelor's degree in engineering from a non-ABET accredited school is required.

Entry-level position with assignments designed to develop a general knowledge of professional engineering practice in the electric utility industry and introduce customer/supplier communication skills.

Level II:

Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET accredited university or college, orProfessional Engineering License obtained by accredited examination.

Second-level position with assignments designed to develop competent technical knowledge within an engineering discipline, develop customer relation skills, and introduce project management skills.

Level III:

Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET accredited university or college, or Professional Engineering License obtained by accredited examination.

A fully competent engineer in conventional aspects within the specific discipline with expertise in specific areas of past assignments. Assignments designed to expand the areas of expertise within the discipline, develop project management skills, and develop a general knowledge of other disciplines.

Licenses and/or Certifications

Engineer III - Must have successfully passed the Engineering in Training (EIT) / Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination.

Level I:

Performs tasks of limited and specific scope under the direction of experienced personnel. Applies standard engineering practices and techniques utilizing prescribed methods in carrying out a sequence of related engineering tasks. Judgment is required on details of work, such as correlating data and recognizing discrepancies in results. Communicates with customers and suppliers as directed by supervision.

Level II:

Performs tasks of limited and specific scope under the direction of experienced personnel. Plans and conducts detailed phases of work in support of multiple assignments as well as managing assignments of moderate scope. Independently selects and applies standard engineering techniques and procedures utilizing prescribed methods in carrying out a sequence of related engineering tasks. Includes some complex features. Work requires a broad knowledge within the discipline and development of expertise in specific areas of work assignment. Judgment is required on details of work, such as correlating data and recognizing discrepancies in results. Communicates with customers and suppliers, as needed.

Level III:

Performs detailed development, planning, and implementation of numerous concurrent assignments of moderate scope. Performs work which includes a variety of complex features, such as unique operating conditions, conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of conventional materials or methods, or difficult coordination requirements. Performs as a consultant in technical specialties to determine and assess technical and economic feasibility and soundness of proposed engineering solutions as well as analysis of unusual operating conditions. Communicates with customers concerning needs and work status. Work generally requires a broad range of knowledge within the specific engineering discipline with expertise in numerous areas and general knowledge of other engineering disciplines.

Accountable for other duties as assigned. Core Competencies

Customer Focus

Employees & Teamwork/Diversity & Inclusion

Public Service/Environmental Stewardship

Safety

Salary Information - Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary range listed below, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range. Successful applicants will be provided more information regarding the incentive program at the time of an interview.

Typical Pay Grade Starting Salary Range:

Travel Required: Up to 25% (With no or minimal overnight stays, less than 3 per month, typically within state of Nebraska) Travel required may fluctuate by business need. This is an estimate and will be discussed further with candidates that receive an interview.

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary and an excellent benefits package including medical and dental insurance, 401K retirement plan, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid medical, training opportunities and more.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact Human Resources at Nebraska Public Power District.

Nebraska Public Power District is an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer who values the contributions of its diverse work force. We are only legally able to hire persons who are 1) a United States citizen or national, 2) a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or 3) an alien legally authorized to work in the United States.

Customers around the state know what to expect from NPPD — quality, reliability and performance excellence. Our values also extend to the way we take care of our employees and their families. We remain on the leading edge by providing competitive benefits that respond to the diverse lifestyles of our people in an ever-changing world.

Nebraska Public Power District offers a competitive starting salary with opportunities for growth. In addition to the base salary listed in posting, NPPD employees may also be eligible for our Annual Incentive Program (AIP) that may supplement total compensation at a level above and beyond the stated salary range.

Retirement Savings

NPPD employees may participate in two retirement plan options – a 401(k) plan and a 457(b) plan. Both plans allow for pre-tax or Roth contributions. After the first six months of employment, the 401(k) plan includes a generous matching contribution from NPPD. The five-year vesting period begins on an employee’s hire date. Our retired employees are eligible for retiree healthcare benefits as well as a life benefit paid out to designated beneficiaries upon their passing.

At NPPD, we care about the health and wellness of our employees. We offer new teammates two competitive hospital / medical plan options to fit their lifestyle and family needs. We also make an annual contribution to employee Health Savings Accounts, which can be used to offset out-of-pocket expenses. Employees and their spouse are invited to participate in a variety of wellness initiatives offered throughout the year as a way to enhance their wellness, reduce health risks and promote healthy lifestyles.

Other Benefits

Employees earn vacation on a schedule commensurate with their years of service. We also offer paid holidays as well as personal and family medical leave, including birth mother recovery leave and parental child bonding leave. All full-time employees receive a life insurance policy equivalent to two times the participant's annual salary at no cost to the employee. NPPD also offers dental and vision insurance as well as personal accident, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, hospital indemnity, long-term care, pre-paid legal/identity theft, and short-and long-term disability insurance plans. Additional benefits include college tuition reimbursement, relocation assistance and complimentary access to an Employee Assistance Program.