Your pathway to a stable career could start at Black Hills Energy. Recessions can cause drops in construction, sales and other types of businesses. However, people have to heat their homes. They have to have lights. They cannot get by without electricity or natural gas.
Black Hills, based in South Dakota, serves 1.2 million customers in eight states, including Northwest Arkansas. The company has been in business since 1883 when it started serving electric customers in Deadwood, S. D.
“ A utility company is stable,” said Rich Davis, Black Hills Energy Manager of Community and Government Affairs for Arkansas.“ We don’ t lay off a lot of people. We have people coming up for retirement that have been here 35 to 40 years.”
Even with the replacement of retiring workers, hiring at Black Hills is growth driven, Davis said. Entry-level jobs can lead to a career in the company’ s safety, regulatory affairs or pipeline maintenance departments. Other career paths include geographical information system operators, project managers, gas center workers, supervising agents, or subject experts in a call center.
A Black Hills customer care center is located in Northwest Arkansas, one of three in the company. One is scheduled to close with some jobs moving to Arkansas.
The call center is an enjoyable place to work, said Kim Hankins, Operator Support Supervisor.“ Everyone in the company helps create a family atmosphere,” Hankins said.
Hankins started 10 years ago as a part-time worker at the drivein window where customers pay bills. After deciding the seasonal job could be a career, she became a full agent answering phone calls from customers. She earned promotions to a team leader and floor supervisor.
“ I’ ve gained knowledge and experience,” Hankins said.“ I’ ve developed my leadership ability and learned to be creative, and how to think outside of the box.”
“ Don’ t be afraid to start at the bottom and work your way up,” Hankins said.“ You gain a lot of experience that way.”
Angelle Johnson manages the call center, and also has been working for the company for 10 years. She brought experience to the company, having worked in a call center in her native New Orleans. She also worked in human resources and cost control before returning to the call center.
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“ You have to have skill in dealing with the customers,” Johnson said.“ You have to have charisma,