When members ask Central Rural Electric Cooperative to build power to a new home, upgrade an existing service or start a new project, there’s a good chance the first employee they’ll meet in the field is an engineering services technician.
While linemen often receive the most visible recognition for bringing power to life, much of the work occurs long before construction begins.
Technicians serve as a vital bridge between members, operations, engineering, contractors and multiple outside agencies. Their role is to plan and design both overhead and underground electric lines, determine pole placement and routes, and select equipment. They ensure every design meets safety codes, cooperative standards and long-term reliability goals.
“Our goal is to meet the members’ expectations and needs,” said Bill Edwards, engineering services technician. “We work to find a balance between what’s best for the cooperative and what the member wants.”
The process begins with an initial call to Central’s member services team, one of the most critical steps in starting a project. From there, the technician meets with the member to discuss expectations, property layout and possible service options. Members often appreciate having a voice in the design, but that collaboration can also take time.
“We work with members to design their service, navigating factors like cost to find the best overall solution,” Edwards said. “I’m always upfront about the process and work to help members understand their options. There’s a lot of discussion with members while deciding.”
Once a direction is chosen, the technician designs the project, ensuring everything is ready before the job is released to construction. Once construction is complete, designs are sent to the GIS team and finally to accounting, all before a member ever sees a bill.
From the first call to completion, a typical residential project can take two to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of the job. Their work is far more involved than simply placing stakes in the ground.
“Our technicians do a lot of work before linemen ever see the project,” said Cortney Branham, director of engineering services.
Technicians coordinate with members, developers, electricians, counties, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, turnpike authorities and other agencies, especially in high-growth areas.
Their work includes everything from residential services and small commercial projects to designing for bridge movements, road upgrades, lighting additions, water pumps and even large-scale housing developments.
Every design must consider vegetation, terrain, flood zones, environmental challenges and long-term maintenance. Technicians must design and plan lines while considering access so linemen can safely maintain lines for decades to come.
“We’re always thinking about how linemen will get to it in the future for updates or maintenance,” Edwards said. “Erosion happens and terrain may change, and we have to plan for that.”
Technicians also handle easements, OKIE 811 locates, and, in some cases, must work with environmental studies for larger projects.
Since the cooperative added its fiber subsidiary, the role has grown even more complex. Every new electric job is now designed with fiber in mind.
“We plan every pole or underground job so fiber can be safely attached,” Edwards said. “We’ve strengthened materials to handle the extra weight. Fiber clearance has made a big difference in how we design.”
During major storms and widespread outages, the role of technicians shifts quickly. While linemen work to restore power, technicians assist behind the scenes, helping to evaluate damaged infrastructure, redesign services when poles or lines must be relocated, and coordinating with other departments to ensure repairs meet safety and reliability standards.
Storms often add complexity and urgency, but the goal remains the same: restoring safe, reliable power as efficiently as possible.
Despite the complexity, Edwards says the best part of the job is meeting with members.
“I like to meet and talk with the members and help exceed their expectations,” Edwards said. “It’s a great job. I love the design work and solving challenges. Even while I’m on vacation, I’m looking at power lines and wondering why they were designed a certain way.”
Next time you see a line crew building a new service or restoring power, remember there’s a team working behind the scenes. Planning, designing, coordinating and preparing every detail to make the lights come on safely for years to come.