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Benton PUD offers rewarding careers for individuals interested in the electric utility industry. As an innovative public utility, we recognize that our success is a direct result of the commitment and talents of the people who work for us. Joining our team means working alongside dedicated colleagues who are committed to providing exceptional service to our customers, embodying the spirit of "People with energy, working for you."
We take pride in our team and encourage you to consider Benton PUD as a top choice for your career.
Our workforce is composed of a diverse range of professionals, including line workers, administrative support, IT specialists, mechanics, substation electricians, customer service representatives, accountants, and engineers. Many of our highly skilled workers are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local No. 77, which shares the rich heritage of the utility.
- Review and search job descriptions to learn more about the wide range of positions we rely on to power our work and our community.
- View current job openings we are currently looking to fill.
- If you are interested in working for us but there isn't currently a suitable opening for you, we encourage you to subscribe to a job interest card.
There are six values which describe the culture and character of Benton PUD. These values demonstrate “how" Benton PUD approaches its list of “what” to do for the near future, and our employees exhibit these values in their work.
- Safety
- Integrity
- Excellence
- Forward Focus
- Mutual Respect
- Teamwork
- Medical (PPO or CDHP)
- Dental
- Vision
- Employee Life and AD&D Insurance
- Dependent Life Insurance
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS)
- 457 and 401(a) Deferred Compensation Plans with Company Contribution
- VEBA Health Reimbursement - to reimburse yourself for medical expenses or save for the cost of medical at retirement
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Health Care Spending Account
- Dependent Care Spending Account
- Personal Leave - accruals increase with years of service, starting at 168 hours per year
- 11 paid holidays
- New Year's Day
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- Up to 5 Floating Holidays
- Safety Incentives
- Wellness Incentives
- Alternative Work Schedules
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Community Engagement
- Casual Work Attire
At Benton PUD, we are proud to invest in our employees. We provide the following career development programs:
- Safety Training
- Leadership Training
- Educational Reimbursement
- District Training
- Apprenticeship Programs
* Some of the described benefits may not apply to temporary or on call positions.
The Central Washington Public Utilities (CWPU) group is comprised of the following seven public utilities: Benton County PUD, Douglas County PUD, Ferry County PUD, Franklin County PUD, Grant County PUD, Okanogan PUD, and Pend Oreille PUD. The CWPU’s have established a self-insured Trust under rules of RCW 48.62 and WAC 200-100 for Local Government Self-Insurance Health and Welfare Program Requirements for the administration and claims payments of medical and dental benefits. These utilities are organized through an Interlocal Cooperation Agreement under the provisions of Chapter 39.34 RCW as the Central Washington Public Utilities’ Unified Insurance Program (CWPU UIP) for the purpose of joint purchase for medical, dental, and life and long-term disability insurance benefits for employees of the public utility districts.
Regular Trustee meetings are scheduled quarterly on the fourth Wednesday of the first month of each quarter. Special Trustee meetings may be called for by the CWPU UIP Chair as needed. Agendas for upcoming meetings will be made available to the Board of Trustees and interested members of the public at least 10 days prior to the meeting date or as otherwise required by the Open Public Meetings Act. Agendas may be sent by electronic mail and shall also be posted on the CWPU UIP (Grant PUD) website. Meetings may be held in person or via conference call as determined by the Board of Trustees.
For meeting notices, agendas, minutes, and financial reports, and related interlocal agreements and trust declarations, visit the CWPU Unified Insurance Program website.
Apprenticeship provides an opportunity for people to get experience and instruction gaining the practical skills and knowledge to become a competent craftsworker. Individuals hired into a Benton PUD apprenticeship position that have no prior experience in a utility related position often have, depending on their position of interest, past commercial electrical experience or have attended a "line or climbing school" such as those listed below.
If you are at least 18 years old, a high school graduate or certified equivalent, and looking for a challenge and have the right set of skills and abilities, you could be eligible to apply for one of our apprenticeship programs. Opportunities for apprenticeship positions will be added to the Current Job Openings. We are dedicated to increasing the number of women and minorities in our apprenticeships and providing equal opportunity for all qualified applicants.
Lineman Apprentices are usually hired as a Pre-Apprentice and may work in that capacity for up to one year. This time allows an individual to work with a crew in the field everyday to help determine if they will be a successful Apprenticeship candidate. This year does not count toward their necessary hours to complete the Apprenticeship program and, once a full year is completed, a Pre-Apprentice must be prepared to accept a Lineman Apprentice position or separate employment from the District. The Lineman Apprentice program is typically 3 years long (6000 hours) of on-the-job and supplemental training. Lineman Apprentices attend Saturday School at Columbia Basin College from October through January and spend 10 days at Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Oregon (5 days during their third year).
Meterman Apprentices are typically hired from within but that is not a requirement. Potential candidates will have to pass a pre-qualifying test on electrical theory and math. The Meterman Apprenticeship is 3 years long (6000 hours) of on-the-job and supplemental training. Meterman Apprentices attend classes on Wednesday evenings from September through April, which are usually held alternately between Pasco and East Wenatchee. They also attend a week long Meter School held in Seattle annually.
Substation Electricians in Training complete a one year in-house on-the-job training as well as additional outside trainings as necessary. Candidates for this position must have successfully completed an inside electrician apprenticeship.
Those who complete any of the three above programs then must pass the Journeyman test administrated by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW) Local 77 proving their qualifications as highly skilled journey-level workers in their trade. All our apprentices are required to join the IBEW Local 77 and maintain that membership during their career at Benton PUD.
The Tri-Cities metropolitan area consists of Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland, Prosser, Benton City, and Finley and has a population of over 300,000. The Tri-Cities is a great place to raise a family, work, continue your education, or retire. Tri-Citians enjoy an excellent school system, minimal traffic congestion, low crime rate, annual precipitation of less than eight inches, plentiful indoor and outdoor recreational activities, and many regional attractions. Housing ranges from established neighborhoods to newly constructed developments. Residents have the option of living in the country, next to a golf course, right along the river, overlooking wine vineyards, near shopping, or even in the downtown area next to their favorite café.
For more information on the Tri-Cities visit:
- Tri-Cities Visitor & Convention Bureau Inc. - Relocation Services
- Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC)
- Kennewick School District
- Richland School District
- Pasco School District
- Columbia Basin College
- Washington State University Tri-Cities
Benton PUD is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity at all levels in the utility. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, citizenship, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or marital or protected veteran status, and the presence of any sensory, physical or mental disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a disabled person, on the job injuries, age, pregnancy status, domestic partner status, genetic information or any other legally protected status (unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification). We’re building a workplace that supports diversity and reflects the multicultural community we serve.
View our Equal Employment Opportunity Posters.
View our policy on Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Disability and Accommodation Request/Grievance Procedures.
If you would like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email dunlapk@bentonpud.org. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment process, please contact Karen Dunlap at (509) 582-1270 or dunlapk@bentonpud.org.
To request an accommodation, please visit our ADA Reasonable Accommodation page.
We promote a drug- and alcohol-free workplace and integrate safety into all aspects of our daily operations.
careers@bentonpud.org
(509) 585-2291
How do I apply for a job at Benton PUD?
Benton PUD accepts applications for posted positions through our online system. We do not accept applications or resumes submitted by mail, fax or email (unless necessary for an alternative application process). View our current openings and click the "Apply Now" button.
Does the PUD make reasonable accommodations for applicants?
Yes. Benton PUD provides equal opportunities to qualified applicants with disabilities and disabled veterans. This includes reasonable accommodations for optional alternative application methods if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our online application system as a result of your disability, as well as reasonable accommodations for interview and test processes. If you require an accommodation to apply for a position with Benton PUD in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, please learn more or submit an accommodation request form as soon as possible on our ADA Reasonable Accommodation page.
Do I have to register to view current job openings?
No. You can view current openings without registering. However, you must register in order to apply for a particular position.
What if I don't have a resume?
If you do not have a resume to upload which will pre-populate many fields in the online application, you can continue the process and manually enter the fields. If you do not have a resume and want to create a resume, the nationwide US Employment Service, WorkSource provides online resources to get started. There are also several free resume builder services available on the internet. You can go to any search engine and type “free resume builder” to get a listing of the websites that provide this service.
What if I don't have a computer?
If you don’t have computer access, there are community agencies that provide access to computers such as your local library and WorkSource.
Is an email account required?
Yes. To apply for a job using our online application process, an email address is required. Using an email address is the best way for Benton PUD staff to communicate with you and let you know we have received your application for a specific job, tell you about job opportunities, and the status of your position.
What if I don't have an email account?
If you do not have access to email and want to establish an email account, there are several free email services available on the internet. You can go to any search engine and type “free email” to get a listing of the websites that provide this service.
What happens to my application after I send it?
Provided you meet the minimum qualifications and screening criteria, your application information is forwarded to the appropriate hiring manager. If selected to interview, typically applicants are contacted within two weeks of the closing date for a position. Although the hiring process typically takes four to six weeks, it may take longer due to a variety of factors.
Will I get a confirmation email?
Yes. If you used the online application process, you will receive an email immediately after submitting your application. You can also view your application status under “Update My Info” then “Application History.”
Can I submit a resume without applying for a job opening?
No. You should submit your resume when applying online for a posted position. Including your resume when creating an application makes it searchable by our recruiters, much in the way your resume can be searched by key words on monster.com, careerbuilder.com, or similar sites. While this is a handy tool, our recruiters may not always search the database when recruiting to fill specific jobs, so be sure to apply to any specific jobs for which you are qualified and want to be considered.
Does Benton PUD require background checks for positions?
All offers made are conditional upon verification of the information provided on the application and successful completion of a comprehensive pre-employment background check. Click here for more information about background checks, including what you can do if we find something negative in your background check.
Does Benton PUD require testing for positions?
Specific positions at the District are subject to successful completion of the following pre-employment tests, screenings and requirements:
- Pre-employment Department of Transportation (DOT) drug and alcohol testing*
- Pre-employment physical
- Credit check
- Aptitude/skill testing
- Possession of a valid Washington State Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or driver’s license
- Safety Performance History
- Proof of journeyman status in the applicable craft
*For the positions requiring pre-employment drug testing, satisfactory completion of such tests is a condition of employment for all prospective employees who have been extended a conditional offer. Evidence of alteration or dilution of samples is equivalent to a failed drug test.
What if there isn't a closing date on the job posting?
The position is considered open indefinitely and can be closed at any time. It is recommended that you apply for positions as soon as possible to avoid missing an opportunity.
Which internet browsers work best with the online application process?
For the best application experience, Benton PUD recommends that you use Firefox, Chrome, or Edge.
I'm not able to upload my resume, what should I do?
Resumes must be in a searchable format such as a Microsoft Word document. You cannot upload a file in a non-searchable format such as a PDF.
I'm not able to read or update the fields on my application, what should I do?
Try using a different browser, such as Firefox, Chrome, or Edge.
I'm getting an error message, what should I do?
Clear your internet browser cache by going to the “Tools” option on the toolbar and selecting “internet options.” From the “general” tab in the window, select “delete files” and click “OK.” Repeat this step, but check the box “delete all offline content” and then click “OK.” Then, close all of your browser windows, open a new browser window, and try again.
What if I have more questions?
Call Benton PUD Human Resources at (509) 582-1270 or email us at careers@bentonpud.org.