Spokesman-Jobs
Posted August 11, 2026.
www.kec.com
Project Engineering Assistant
Kootenai Electric Cooperative is located in scenic North Idaho, the heart of abundant recreational opportunities. Settled in a beautiful lakefront mountain setting, it is a favorite destination for tourists. Just outside our back door are national forests, lakes, rivers, and trails offering plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, boating/water sports, fishing, hunting, golfing, snow sports, and much more. The four distinct seasons offer recreational opportunities year-round. The Coeur d'Alene/Hayden metropolitan area also offers a variety of entertainment and shopping venues and is a short 45-minute drive to Spokane, Washington and access to domestic and international air travel.
The Project Engineering Assistant provides support and assistance to the Project Engineering Technicians.
Core Competencies
- Safety: Adhere to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, rules, and practices. Use of Personal Protective Equipment as required. Take individual responsibility in managing safety risks and reporting unsafe conditions or unsafe work practices. Respond positively to safety-oriented feedback. Contribute to a culture of safety.
- Quality of Work: Produce thorough, high quality work with minimal errors. Seek feedback, make corrections as needed. Identify problems and solve them. Strive to improve processes. Work collaboratively with team members to implement systemic changes.
- Productivity: Complete assigned work in a timely fashion. Utilize slow periods productively. Produce amount and volume expected, at accepted speed.
- Technical Skills/Job Knowledge: Demonstrate appropriate level of understanding of technical skills in area of expertise, technology, products, and/or processes involved. Perform assigned duties. Keep current on changes. Competent with all technology and industry best practices necessary to perform job. Maintains necessary certification(s).
- Communication: Oral and written communication clearly convey information. Keep others informed of activities and problems in timely manner. Listen well. Respond appropriately and respectfully.
- Teamwork/Ability to Work With Others: Demonstrate ability to work in positive manner with co-workers and/or customers with differing backgrounds, opinions, capabilities, etc. Willingly share skills, competencies, and knowledge with others. Establish and maintain strong, effective working relationships. Contribute effectively to group efforts. Promote harmony. Agree to disagree without damaging relationships.
- Accountability: Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality. Arrive on-time and be prepared to work. Accept responsibility for work and actions. Be reliable.
- Integrity: Demonstrate honesty, high ethical standards, and respect for all team members, co-workers, and KEC members.
- Professionalism: Always address internal and external customers with courtesy and respect. Dress in work attire appropriate to the position. Communicate business information in timely fashion, using means of communication appropriate to the situation.
- Support of Cooperative Goals, Policies, and Procedures: Support Cooperative goals. Adhere to all Cooperative policies and procedures. Understand that internal customer and external member focus is always top priority. Contribute effectively in support of that priority.
- Problem-Solving: Use sound logic and methodology to solve problems. Explore multiple sources for answers, as required. Able to identify hidden problems. Propose solutions.
Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions
- Assists with designing, surveying, staking, and planning for new member line extensions, maintenance requests, and capital projects to KEC and NESC standards.
- Inspects member-provided trench and conduit installations.
- Reviews trench inspection pictures and responds with necessary corrections as needed.
- Takes field measurements and makes field inspections.
- May create as-built staking sheets.
- Assists Project Engineering Technicians in providing line quotes.
- Applies for permits from railroads, governmental agencies, or other jurisdictions.
- May assists with coordinating subcontractors.
- Notarizes easements.
- Assists Project Engineering Technicians in field staking activities.
- Fields calls from membership or regarding construction or new services.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
- Education/Experience:
o High school graduate or GED equivalent.
o Associate's degree in related field preferred.
o Previous customer service experience preferred.
- Knowledge/Skill
o Knowledge of line construction specifications and processes and understanding of trenching and conduit safety.
o Qualified worker as defined by OSHA 1910.269.
o Strong understanding of agency processes (Idaho Transportation Department, local municipalities, etc.).
o Ability to read, write, calculate, and use office equipment such as a copier, computer, printer, and various software packages such as Microsoft Office and other job-related software packages.
o Ability to respond to and resolve difficult member inquiries and complaints.
o Ability to effectively communicate and elicit information from upset members.
o Ability to use logic and reasoning in recognizing solutions and conclusions to problems.
o Proficiency in KEC mapping and work scheduling programs.
o Understanding of KEC material and system operations.
o Valid Idaho Notary Public commission.
o Valid Driver's License.
o Ability to work in stressful situations.
o Ability to analyze information, interpret policies, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities with attention to detail.
Working Conditions/Hazards:
- Extensive travel driving to member locations. Work is completed in all types of weather.
- Must be available for unscheduled work.
- Travel may be required for training or other purposes.
Interested candidates must complete a KEC employment application at www.kec.com. Position will remain open through August 24, 2026.
Kootenai Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their disability or protected veteran status.
The Project Engineering Assistant provides support and assistance to the Project Engineering Technicians.
Core Competencies
- Safety: Adhere to all workplace and trade safety laws, regulations, standards, rules, and practices. Use of Personal Protective Equipment as required. Take individual responsibility in managing safety risks and reporting unsafe conditions or unsafe work practices. Respond positively to safety-oriented feedback. Contribute to a culture of safety.
- Quality of Work: Produce thorough, high quality work with minimal errors. Seek feedback, make corrections as needed. Identify problems and solve them. Strive to improve processes. Work collaboratively with team members to implement systemic changes.
- Productivity: Complete assigned work in a timely fashion. Utilize slow periods productively. Produce amount and volume expected, at accepted speed.
- Technical Skills/Job Knowledge: Demonstrate appropriate level of understanding of technical skills in area of expertise, technology, products, and/or processes involved. Perform assigned duties. Keep current on changes. Competent with all technology and industry best practices necessary to perform job. Maintains necessary certification(s).
- Communication: Oral and written communication clearly convey information. Keep others informed of activities and problems in timely manner. Listen well. Respond appropriately and respectfully.
- Teamwork/Ability to Work With Others: Demonstrate ability to work in positive manner with co-workers and/or customers with differing backgrounds, opinions, capabilities, etc. Willingly share skills, competencies, and knowledge with others. Establish and maintain strong, effective working relationships. Contribute effectively to group efforts. Promote harmony. Agree to disagree without damaging relationships.
- Accountability: Maintain excellent attendance and punctuality. Arrive on-time and be prepared to work. Accept responsibility for work and actions. Be reliable.
- Integrity: Demonstrate honesty, high ethical standards, and respect for all team members, co-workers, and KEC members.
- Professionalism: Always address internal and external customers with courtesy and respect. Dress in work attire appropriate to the position. Communicate business information in timely fashion, using means of communication appropriate to the situation.
- Support of Cooperative Goals, Policies, and Procedures: Support Cooperative goals. Adhere to all Cooperative policies and procedures. Understand that internal customer and external member focus is always top priority. Contribute effectively in support of that priority.
- Problem-Solving: Use sound logic and methodology to solve problems. Explore multiple sources for answers, as required. Able to identify hidden problems. Propose solutions.
Job Responsibilities/Essential Functions
- Assists with designing, surveying, staking, and planning for new member line extensions, maintenance requests, and capital projects to KEC and NESC standards.
- Inspects member-provided trench and conduit installations.
- Reviews trench inspection pictures and responds with necessary corrections as needed.
- Takes field measurements and makes field inspections.
- May create as-built staking sheets.
- Assists Project Engineering Technicians in providing line quotes.
- Applies for permits from railroads, governmental agencies, or other jurisdictions.
- May assists with coordinating subcontractors.
- Notarizes easements.
- Assists Project Engineering Technicians in field staking activities.
- Fields calls from membership or regarding construction or new services.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements
- Education/Experience:
o High school graduate or GED equivalent.
o Associate's degree in related field preferred.
o Previous customer service experience preferred.
- Knowledge/Skill
o Knowledge of line construction specifications and processes and understanding of trenching and conduit safety.
o Qualified worker as defined by OSHA 1910.269.
o Strong understanding of agency processes (Idaho Transportation Department, local municipalities, etc.).
o Ability to read, write, calculate, and use office equipment such as a copier, computer, printer, and various software packages such as Microsoft Office and other job-related software packages.
o Ability to respond to and resolve difficult member inquiries and complaints.
o Ability to effectively communicate and elicit information from upset members.
o Ability to use logic and reasoning in recognizing solutions and conclusions to problems.
o Proficiency in KEC mapping and work scheduling programs.
o Understanding of KEC material and system operations.
o Valid Idaho Notary Public commission.
o Valid Driver's License.
o Ability to work in stressful situations.
o Ability to analyze information, interpret policies, exercise sound judgment, and manage multiple priorities with attention to detail.
Working Conditions/Hazards:
- Extensive travel driving to member locations. Work is completed in all types of weather.
- Must be available for unscheduled work.
- Travel may be required for training or other purposes.
Interested candidates must complete a KEC employment application at www.kec.com. Position will remain open through August 24, 2026.
Kootenai Electric Cooperative, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their disability or protected veteran status.
