Applicants should apply by April 10, 2026 and attach a cover letter and resume.

Job Title:               Utility Designer                                        

Department:          Engineering

Reports To:           Staking Supervisor

SUMMARY

Responsible for processing work orders by inspecting the consumer's service facilities; designing and staking line extensions in the most efficient and cost effective manner; and by key punching their work orders into the computer.  Responsible for ensuring all constructed power lines meet quality standards, code compliance and safety requirements.  Also, responsible as Sam Houston Electric's field representative for purposes as required by the joint use and pole Inspection and Treatment Contracts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Processing work orders as required by service orders, by inspecting meter loops for compliance with National Electric Codes and Sam Houston Electric's specifications for overhead and underground facilities.

Scheduling appointments, meeting with members, developers, electricians and others to determine most economical placement of meter loops, to discuss service route, to secure right-of-way easements and to discuss various costs associated with service.

Drawing digital staking sheets and keypunching work orders into the computer

Performing line maintenance inspections as required by the line maintenance inspection plan, including preparing all reports and generating work orders as necessary to correct any deficiencies.

Designing and staking work orders as required by service orders and work plan projects according to Sam Houston Electric standards in compliance with applicable regulations.

Calculating cost of new service, and calculating the size of new service loads and facilities.

Inspecting completed work orders for design, installation, mapping accuracy, quality, safety and compliance with Sam Houston Electric's specifications.  Auditing the changes, reinspections.

Examining others utility company's work proposed, in progress, or completed that contacts facilities to ensure compliance with the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and Joint Use Contract.

Inspecting underground facilities designed by Sam Houston Electric and installed by developers to ensure compliance with Sam Houston's specifications.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associates Degree and one year experience in construction or engineering; or high school diploma general education degree (GED) and five years experience in construction or engineering; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Personal computer skills helpful.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.  Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

None

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate verbally by telephone, two-way radio or in person to co-workers, members, the general public and business associates.  The employee is frequently driving alone in a pickup for up to 200 miles per day to various job sites.  This also requires getting in and out of the vehicle frequently during the day.

Frequently walking, bending, standing and squatting while encountering various types of work surfaces such as grass, dirt, and concrete outdoors during all types of weather conditions, and indoors on carpet or tiled surfaces.  The employee is also occasionally exposed to physical hazards from electricity, snakes, dogs and insects.

The employee is occasional sitting at a work station viewing, editing or imputing data into a computer terminal as well as performing other tasks frequently with writing and drafting instruments which require hand, wrist and finger motions.

Occasional use of full body mobility to hammer stakes into the ground, cutting or removing brush while staking, utilize measuring devices for recording substantial distances (horizontal and vertical), gripping and maneuvering meter poles to determine sturdiness, handling tools and equipment during the course of an inspection.  The employee also occasionally climbs fences or walks across uneven and undeveloped areas to reach inspection locations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions.  The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.

Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Electric cooperatives were created to serve the best interests of their member-owners, and that's exactly what Sam Houston Electric Cooperative does. In the early 1930s, the vast rural areas of America did not have access to the wonders of electricity. During this time, less than three percent of rural America received the benefits of electric service. After the signing of the Rural Electrification Act on May 21, 1936, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the “REA Movement” spread rapidly throughout the nation. The stories of the early days of rural electrification are much the same…rural men and women petitioning, educating and organizing–for power. Sam Houston Electric Cooperative was founded Aug. 27, 1938, by a group of rural residents in Polk County. The first directors met, planned and created their cooperative. On May 16, 1939, they received a charter from the State of Texas, and Sam Houston Electric Cooperative Inc. was born. After obtaining an REA loan, the Co-op began construction of its first power lines, 242.86 miles, on Jan. 15, 1940, which would serve 661 members in Polk, San Jacinto, Walker and Liberty Counties. The power at that time came from Gulf States Utility C...ompany to a substation in Goodrich. By 1943, Sam Houston EC had 1,306 members. In 1951, that number jumped to 7,500 consumers and 2,300 miles of line. Today, Sam Houston EC maintains 6,000 miles of line serving more than 52,000 members in parts of 10 counties. Our members are our partners. We provide and maintain quality electric service at the lowest possible cost. Sam Houston EC’s mission, as stated by our Board of Directors, is to achieve member satisfaction by providing safe, reliable services at competitive prices and to improve the quality of life in the communities we serve, utilizing an exceptional workforce, while maintaining financial stability.

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Connections working at Sam Houston Electric Cooperative, Inc.