Work Order Coordinator - FreeState Electric Cooperative

Job Title: Work Order Coordinator
Job Classification: Nonexempt, Full-time
Reporting Relationship: Accounting Manager
Work Location: Topeka

Who We Are:

FreeState is the largest rural electric cooperative in Eastern Kansas, with more than 15,000 member-owners. It functions as a democratic, not-for-profit organization. We are controlled by our members who actively participate in setting cooperative policy and making decisions in the best interest of the cooperative. Unlike investor-owned utilities, our profits are returned to our members as capital credits.

FreeState offers excellent benefits including:

• Generous pension plan
• 401(k) matched savings
• Medical, dental and vision insurance paid for at 100% for individual coverage and 90% for family coverage
• Health savings account with an annual generous employer contribution
• Life insurance, long-term disability, paid time off benefits, including paid holidays, and so much more.
• On-the-job safety training, professional development opportunities and an employee focused work culture

Each of our positions has a designated salaryrange. This position's salaryrange starts at $50,008. Starting wage is based on knowledge, education and experience.

Primary Accountability:

The Work Order Coordinator is responsible for gathering and coordinating member information for all field service order requests. The Work Order Coordinator is also responsible for entering, dispatching, coordinating, and reviewing power outages by utilizing NISC software programs.

Essential Duties:

• Promptly and professionally answers member phone calls, responds to member emails, and assists members in person for all field-related inquiries.
• Initiates service orders for member requests including tree trimming, security lights, temporary disconnects, and line maintenance.
• Creates service orders for meter exchanges, meter removals, meter reseals, transformer exchanges, and voltage recorders, as needed.
• Answers power quality and blinking light calls, creates required service orders, and routes to appropriate personnel.
• Prioritizes and handles emergency hazard calls by ensuring that appropriate personnel are promptly notified with accurate information.
• Answers member inquiries for locating power lines and directs to appropriate resources.
• Reads AMI meters, as necessary.
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from Cooperative members regarding field-related processes and forwards to the appropriate personnel, if applicable.
• Enters, dispatches, coordinates, and reviews power outages by utilizing NISC software programs.
• Coordinates planned outages and provides notification to members.
• Communicates with field operations on dispatch radio.
• Gathers and coordinates member information for all field-related service order requests.
• Coordinates, reviews, and updates construction status for work plan activities, including reviewing staking sheets.
• Performs administrative tasks for field-related work orders as requested by Operations Department personnel.
• Prepares miscellaneous receivable invoices for new service construction fees and other construction-related costs.
• Prepares emergency hazard accident billing when damage occurs to Cooperative property.
• Collects property deeds from members, prepares right-of-way easements, creates check requests, and files executed documents with the appropriate county officials.
• Coordinates with Operations Department to provide updates regarding pending work order status.
• Processes new construction applications by collecting information, performing credit checks, assessing deposits or fees, processing service orders, and obtaining required documents.
• Composes and prepares correspondences, reports, forms, and letters, as needed.
• Reads and interprets system map to identify system locations.
• Prepares and submits Cooperative line extensions (EL) applications to the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) and other utilities, in accordance with required procedures.
• Adheres to Cooperative Rules and Regulations and provides related information to fulfill member requests.
• Presents a positive image of the Cooperative and displays a friendly, caring attitude.

• Performs additional duties as assigned by Management.

Qualifications:

• A High School Diploma or GED is required.
• Two (2) years of related experience and/or training, or a combination of education and experience is required.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• Knowledge and experience preparing, processing, and closing service orders.
• Knowledge and experience working with standard office equipment including computers (10-key and keyboard), copiers, printers and scanners.
• Ability to acquire, within a reasonable time span, a knowledge of Cooperative system geography, Cooperative mapping system, and service rules and regulations.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Must demonstrate proactive customer service and follow-up skills with the ability to maintain a professional relationship with members and staff.
• Ability to effectively communicate, present information and respond to questions, both verbal and written.
• Ability to analyze data or information by identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Ability to organize, multi-task, plan and set priorities for multiple projects with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work independently and in team settings.
• Ability to exercise good judgment with a strong attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across all levels of the Cooperative.
• Demonstrated poise, tact, and diplomacy with the ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and situations.

Physical Demands:

• Consistently sits for extended periods of time. Occasionally stands, walks, bends, stoops, squats lifts, unpacks, and moves up to thirty (30) pounds.
• Ability to perform finger and hand manipulation and perform repetitive motions to use a computer keyboard and telephone, as well as other office equipment.
• Ability to read computer screens, mail and talk on the phone.

Work Environment:

• Professional and deadline-oriented environment in an office setting.
• Regular, reliable attendance is required.
• Interaction with staff, members, contractors, electricians, and vendors.
• Must be able to report to their primary worksite after regular business hours, as soon as possible, in the event of an emergency situation such as electrical outages, inclement weather, etc.
• Ability to travel to attend meetings, trainings, workshops, and seminars, as directed.

How to Apply:

• If you would like to apply for this position, please visit https://freestate.coop/jobs to complete an Application for Employment.

Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required.

FreeState is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.