Job Description

The Board of Directors of Clearwater Power Company (CPC) in Lewiston, Idaho seeks a visionary electric utility leader with strong interpersonal communications skills to become their next CEO due to an upcoming retirement.

The CPC Board has retained NRECA Executive Search to facilitate the search process.

About Clearwater Power Company

Clearwater Power is a member-owned electric cooperative that provides power to over 11,000 meters in 11 counties in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Its 3,000+ miles of power line stretch across nearly 5,000 square miles of service territory crossing farm ground, forests, canyons, rivers and steep hillsides serving approximately three and a half customers per mile.

Headquartered in Lewiston, ID where the Snake and Clearwater rivers meet, the cooperative employs 43 full-time staff, has a total utility plant of approximately $102 million and recently generated more than $23 million in operating revenue. Clearwater Power also has construction offices in in Ahsahka and Princeton, ID.

Similar to most distribution utilities in the Pacific Northwest, the majority of the cooperative’s fuel mix is from hydro power.  CPC purchases its power from Bonneville Power Administration as a member of PNGC Power.

The CEO of Clearwater Power reports to a 7-member Board of Directors and is responsible for providing strategic vision, operational leadership, and fostering a culture of excellence within the organization.

The Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate for the CEO position at Clearwater Power will have a proven track record of success in the electric industry, strong leadership skills and a commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering work environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.

Leadership Competencies

• Vision and Strategic Orientation: Takes a broad-scale, long-term view, that focuses on the future needs of the organization and members.
• Lead Change and Manage Risk: Ability to lead change and manage risk incorporating high levels of accountability across the organization.
• Organizational Design: Builds an organizational structure that aligns roles and responsibilities with the values and strategic priorities of the organization
• Exceptional Communication Skills: Effective communicator with high interpersonal and relationship-building skills who can partner effectively with the Board, leadership team, and employees while supporting mutual understanding
• Positively Influence and Motivate Others: Persuades and motivates others towards an outcome consistent with the organization’s mission, vision, and values
• Relationship and Team Building: Creates and fosters constructive working relationships and cohesive teams
• Strong Focus on Safety: Upholds and provides focus on the safety standards of the cooperative.
• Analytical Thinking and Decision Making: Thinks systematically, conceptually, and analytically to determine effective solutions that will enable the co-op to achieve desired goals
• Commitment to Cooperative Values: Acts in ways that puts the cooperative’s values and principals above one’s own personal needs.
• Integrity and Courage: Consistently conducts themselves in a professional and ethical manner of the highest regard.
• Strong Focus on Financial Issues: Fluent with financial metrics and have a detailed understanding of the key financial opportunities as well as financial risks and budget process.
• Understanding of Power Supply Issues: Experience in fostering collaborative and sustainable relationship with a power supplier.

Experience and Expertise

• A Bachelor’s Degree is required
• An advanced degree such as an MBA or graduation from the NRECA MIP program is a plus
• Education or Experience in Accounting & Finance, Engineering or Business is preferred
• A minimum of 6 years of progressively responsible leadership experience is required
• At least 6 years of electric utility experience is required
• CEO experience is preferred but not required
• As Clearwater Power operates a propane subsidiary, an understanding of the dynamics of running a subsidiary is helpful
• Experience in and/or understanding of regional issues related to CPC’s power supply is valuable

Our Location

Lewiston, ID with almost 35,000 residents, is the ninth-largest city in the state and serves as the anchor city in the Lewis-Clark Valley in northern Idaho.  The city's proximity to the Port of Lewiston, Idaho's sole inland seaport, facilitates intermodal transportation, linking river, road, rail, and air channels, bolstering its role as a regional economic and transportation hub.

Nestled within a 30-mile radius of the city are several colleges and universities, including Lewis-Clark State College, University of Idaho, Washington State University, and Walla Walla Community College, each offering diverse academic programs and opportunities for higher education.

The area boasts a diverse landscape characterized by forests, fertile agricultural land and picturesque waterways, attracting visitors year-around and providing ample opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing, and water sports.  Lewiston’s strategic location fosters a robust economy centered around agriculture, paper and timber products and light manufacturing, while also serving as a hub for healthcare, retail, and professional services.

Our Benefits

We are committed to providing our executives and our employees with an attractive and competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life, 401(k) match, NRECA Retirement and Security Plan (R&S) plan, short and long-term disability, paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO).
Clearwater Power Company is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer.  Race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other applicable status protected by Federal, State or Local law are not taken into account in any employment decision.