Lane Electric Staff Q&A With Engineering Technician Shelby Sanford

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Shelby Sanford has been a valued Lane Electric team member for more than six years. In that time, she has held four different positions.

Most recently, Shelby has served the cooperative as an engineering technician, known as a staker. In this role, she’s responsible for technical duties required in the design and preparation of work orders, service orders, service requests, easements, and agreements associated with extensions and maintenance of the transmission and distribution system.

Was Engineering Technician Always Your Goal?

“During my first year at the cooperative, I attended the Northwest Public Power Association’s two-day course on operating an electric utility, which started me on my journey.

From there, I wanted to learn as much as possible about Lane Electric’s construction and how we deliver power to our members. I kept requesting training and asked a ton of questions. The engineering department and our linemen are some of the best teachers and love to pass on their knowledge. My previous roles as a member services representative and joint use specialist/operations representative gave me the foundation to transition into staking.”

Utility staking is the process of marking the physical locations of new utility lines and structures on the ground.

“It is a critical part of construction that ensures utilities are installed correctly,” Shelby says.

Joint use refers to partnerships with cable and telecom companies and municipalities that attach to Lane Electric utility poles and pay a fee to the utility for infrastructure use.

What Do You Like Best About Your Current Position?

“In this position, each day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn. One day, you can be up in the South Hills trying to devise a plan to underground our power lines, and the next day, you might spend out in Oakridge working with contractors and electricians to bring power to homes being built. It’s always different.”

Are There Any Job Highlights You’d Like To Share?

“As a staking technician, you get to see places in our service territory that you didn’t know existed. Providing rural power has its challenges, but I feel we are lucky to work in the Pacific Northwest environment.

I’d encourage our youth to explore career paths in their local utilities. There are some great opportunities to give back to your community and provide vital services. Lane Electric also offers some great scholarship opportunities.”