About Us

Who we are, how we operate, and our commitment to cooperative principles.

Founded in 1938, Salem Electric is a not-for-profit electric cooperative. Unlike investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives provide electricity to their consumer-members at cost. Reliable, renewable, electricity is distributed to members throughout our 17.5 square mile service territory.

Community Focused

Salem Electric is committed to the communities we serve by providing scholarships, heating assistance, donations, and electrical safety education. SE employees are members of your community who volunteer hundreds of hours annually to local organizations.
 

Goals

Five goals guide our business decisions.

SE’s Goals

• Reliable Service
• Good Customer Relations
• Good Employee Relations
• Financial Integrity
• Low Rates 
   

Cooperative Principles

All cooperative businesses adhere to seven guiding principles.

7 Cooperative Principles

• Open and Voluntary Membership
• Democratic Member Control
• Members' Economic Participation
• Autonomy and Independence
• Education, Training, and Information
• Cooperation Among Cooperatives
• Concern for Community
   

Employment Opportunities

Salem Electric is an equal opportunity employer and is dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis, including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual preference.

Salem Electric Has Openings for the Following Positions:

Member Services Manager

Position Overview

The Member Services Manager provides strategic direction and leadership to direct future initiatives and maintain organizational goals. Is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating department staff, developing and managing energy efficiency programs, and budgeting for the Member Services Department. Responsible for public relations for the co-op and oversees all external communication channels.

Essential Job Functions

• Manage the Member Services Department by analyzing and improving organizational processes, overseeing staff, and monitoring the quality, participation, and efficiency of programs.
• Oversee external communications for the co-op including newsletters, articles, social media posts, and outage communication. Develop strategies using public relations, advertising, programs, grass roots campaigns, and member education to address issues affecting the membership. 
• Represent Salem Electric and manage community involvement including school engagement, community outreach and education, sponsorships, events, and donations.
• Manage Salem Electric Member Assistance Programs (SEMAP and Round Up) as well as the energy efficiency programs and related budgets. 
• Respond to public inquiries, resolve complaints, and work to ensure positive member interactions that meet the co-ops goal of good customer relations.

Requirements

Associate’s degree required, Bachelor’s degree preferred in a related field such as communications, public relations, marketing, or business. Five years customer service and/or energy efficiency program experience, and three years supervisory experience, preferably in the utility industry.

How to Apply

Deadline to apply is Monday, October 25, 2021. Qualified applicants should email a resume with cover letter to jobs@SalemElectric.com, or mail to: Salem Electric, ATTN: HR Coordinator, PO Box 5588, Salem, OR 97304.

Safety Services Coordinator

The Safety Services User Group (SSUG) has an opening for a Safety Services Coordinator. Five participating electric utilities share the services of the Safety Services Coordinator who conducts various safety compliance and loss prevention duties and meets the prospective safety needs of each utility.

Position Overview

Under supervision of the SSUG (Blachly-Lane Electric, Douglas Electric, Emerald PUD, Lane Electric, and Salem Electric), the Safety Services Coordinator is responsible for developing and implementing safety training programs for the participating utilities. This position works to reduce or eliminate accidents and hazards, measured by incidence and severity of accidents, time loss hours, and worker's compensation claims.

This position is responsible for keeping member utilities informed of local, state, and federal rules and regulations as they relate to safety and health issues. Must have knowledge of OSHA requirements. Also responsible for providing and sharing information among utilities, and ensuring that utilities are in compliance with record-keeping requirements.

Responsible for coordinating and participating in scheduled safety committee meetings for each utility as well as joint meetings for the Safety Services User Group. This position creates and delivers programs that create awareness, motivation, and accountability that contribute to a safe working environment. This position is expected to participate in training and development courses as well as regional and national safety meetings as authorized to keep knowledge current.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Must have a passion for promoting a culture of safety in the workplace
• Must have experience developing and presenting safety topics
• Must be familiar with electric utility operations, be a skilled trainer, and an effective speaker
• Must possess excellent communication skills and the ability to evaluate, organize, and communicate technical information in easy-to-understand language
• The qualified candidate must have familiarity with safety accreditation programs

Education

• Associates Degree or certification in safety or a related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years’ experience working for a utility, or in a commercial or industrial setting. Utility experience is preferred.
• Three to five years’ work experience preferred with safety, loss and accident prevention, safety education, and accident investigations.
• Must possess a comprehensive knowledge of safety, accident and loss prevention, safety equipment, training methods, statistical procedures, and record keeping requirements.

Job Location and Work Environment

• Position is based in Salem, OR and requires frequent travel to participating utility locations as well as travel to off-site trainings as needed.
• Part office, part field conditions.
• Must be able to carry training equipment and materials to job site.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.
• This is a full-time, non-union position working approximately 40 hours per week.
• Time is split equitably between five participating electric utilities.

How to Apply

Position is open until filled. Qualified applicants should email a resume with cover letter to jobs@SalemElectric.com, or mail to: Salem Electric, ATTN: HR Coordinator, PO Box 5588, Salem, OR 97304

Reasons to Consider an Electric Cooperative Career

• A Paycheck with a Purpose—An electric co-op is a different kind of business. We’re built and led by the members we serve. We provide affordable, reliable energy that is critical to our community. 
• We’re Local—We serve our neighbors, family, and friends. Our members have a voice in how the co-op is run, and we make sustainable investments in the community we share. We support local businesses and organizations, and create jobs and economic activity here at home. 
• We’re Looking Ahead—Advances in energy technologies and opportunities will change the way we use electricity. When you work at an electric cooperative, you are part of a team that creates innovative, sustainable energy solutions for the people in our community. 
• We Put People First—We respect diversity and transparency–it makes us stronger. We hold ourselves to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity, while maintaining a friendly work environment. 
• We’re Part of a Movement—When you work at Salem Electric, you’re part of something bigger: Our co-op requires a variety of skill sets across all education levels. And while we’re focused on our local community, you’ll join and collaborate with a national network of nearly 900 cooperatives in 48 states. 
• We’re Invested in You—We support your professional growth, development, and success with internal and external training opportunities. Co-op employees deliver a valuable service to our communities, and they’re rewarded for that dedication with competitive pay, health insurance, and retirement benefits.

Service Territory

Salem Electric has a defined service territory shown in gray and located within the boundary line on the map below. To start service or determine if a specific address is served by Salem Electric, please contact our office during business hours at 503-362-3601.

Meet Your Board of Directors 

Salem Electric board members support the work of the general manager and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. Directors are elected by the membership and serve three-year terms. Contact Us

Board meetings are held monthly and members are welcome to attend. Dates of upcoming board meetings are posted on our Meetings, Events, and Closures page, and both the Board Meeting Summaries and Minutes of Board Meetings are available for view.

Meet the Management Team

We’re here for you. Salem Electric's management team has over 96 years of dedicated experience working for Salem Electric. We love our co-op and we hope you do too.