When you flip a light switch, charge your phone, or power up your computer, there’s a complex electrical system working behind the scenes to deliver reliable electricity. One of the key professionals responsible for keeping that system running is the substation electrician.
Substation electricians work in electrical substations, which are facilities that help transfer electricity from power plants to homes, businesses, and industries. Their primary role is to install, maintain, test, troubleshoot, and repair the equipment that controls the flow of electricity across the power grid.
Located across Basin Electric’s service territory, TSM outposts play a critical role in ensuring reliable power delivery to members. The outposts serve as home bases for specialized crews, including lineworkers, substation electricians, substation system protection technicians, and telecommunications technicians, who maintain and support the cooperative’s transmission infrastructure.
As a lead substation electrician, his responsibilities go far beyond working on electrical equipment. “I coordinate the activities of a substation electrician crew, schedule outages, and work closely with supervisors to lead construction and maintenance projects,” Fitzwater says. “I also coordinate the commissioning and testing of substation equipment and oversee periodic substation inspections to identify potential problems or safety hazards.” Every project requires careful scheduling of both personnel and equipment to ensure jobs are completed safely and efficiently.
As part of his role, Fitzwater checks contacts on a motor-operated switch.
At Basin Electric, reliability is a core value, and for Fitzwater, it is one of the most important parts of the job. “Every piece of equipment in a substation plays a critical role in delivering electricity,” he says. “When equipment fails unexpectedly, it can impact service for the members who rely on that power. That’s why regular inspections, testing, and maintenance are so important.”
Because electrical systems are complex, unexpected issues can arise any time. Working closely with relay crews and engineers, the team helps identify root causes and develop solutions that keep the system operating. The goal is always the same: ensure electricity is delivered safely and reliably to our members without interruption.
Technology continues to improve the way substations operate and how maintenance is performed. Over the years, Fitzwater has seen significant advancements in equipment design. “We have new breakers that utilize mixed-gas technology, which eliminates the need for traditional tank heaters,” he says. “In cold climates like Wyoming, this improvement reduces maintenance requirements and increases reliability during winter months by removing a common point of failure.”
Other technological improvements have also changed the industry. Modern transformer gas monitoring systems now provide real-time data that can help identify developing issues long before they become serious problems. Upgraded relay systems offer enhanced diagnostics and troubleshooting capabilities, allowing crews to respond more quickly and accurately when issues arise. These innovations help improve reliability and give technicians better tools to maintain the system.
Preventive maintenance also plays a major role in achieving reliability. “Routine testing, inspections, and maintenance help identify potential concerns before they become equipment failures,” Fitzwater says. “Taking the time to address small issues today helps prevent larger problems down the road.”
For Fitzwater, the reward comes at the end of every day. After the planning, inspections, testing, construction, and maintenance are complete, there is satisfaction in knowing the power being generated is reaching the people who need it. “Our communities, farms, businesses, and families depend on reliable electricity every hour of every day,” Fitzwater says. “Playing a role in delivering that power safely and reliably is more than just a job. It is a responsibility the team and I take seriously, and it motivates us every day.”
Basin Electric wants all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, or who needs other assistance or accommodations, please contact us at 701-223-0441. Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed or provide your contact information, and a Basin Electric Human Resources representative will contact you. Basin Electric is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer regarding race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and veterans status.
