Flathead Electric Cooperative's Board of Trustees is accepting applications for a District #8 representative to fill a vacancy. The selected representative will serve until the 2026 annual meeting at which time a Trustee from District #8 will be elected by the members. Online applications will be accepted through November 21 at 5 p.m. 

Candidates must be members of Flathead Electric Co-op and reside in District #8, which includes the larger Bigfork area. Review the FEC District Map

As per Board Policy, a selection committee consisting of three Trustees and three members at-large from District #8 will make recommendations to the Board on an interim Trustee from the submitted applications. Subsequently, the Board will make a final choice to fill the position by January 12, 2026.  

Qualifications 

Per Article VI, Section 3 of the FEC Bylaws, any person shall be eligible to become or remain a Trustee who: 

• Is a member of the Cooperative and is not otherwise disqualified; 
• Maintains primary residence within the district which he or she represents; and 
• Is a natural person. 

Disqualifications 

Per Article VI, Section 4 of the FEC Bylaws, a member shall not qualify for the office of Trustee or shall become disqualified to serve as a Trustee if: 

• The member has been an employee of the Cooperative for any length of time within the immediately preceding seven (7) years; 
• The member or a member of his or her immediate family is, or becomes, an employee of the Cooperative; 
• The member or trustee fails to attend two (2) monthly meetings of the Board in a calendar year without approval of the Board; 
• The member or trustee has a conflict of interest which includes but is not limited to situations in which the member or trustee: 
  • Is employed by, is an agent of, or is an immediate family member of an employee or agent of the Cooperative; 
  • Is employed by or materially affiliated with any other Trustee; 
  • Regularly and directly competes with the Cooperative or any entity that the Cooperative controls or in which the Cooperative owns a majority interest; 
  • Owns an interest greater than 10% or holds a management position in a business wherein more than ten percent (10%) of the goods or services sold are sold to the Cooperative or one of its subsidiaries, or combination thereof.
• The member or trustee has been declared incapacitated or of unsound mind by a final order of the court;
• The member or trustee has been convicted of a felony; or
• The member has an immediate family member who is currently serving as a trustee.

Position Summary 

Interested parties should carefully review the following FEC Board Policies to ensure they can meet the expectations of serving as an FEC Trustee: 

FEC Board Policy “B” Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Trustees

FEC Board Policy “C” Code of Ethics & Standards of Conduct 

FEC Trustees must be willing and able to give the time to prepare for and attend monthly and other meetings of the Board; state, regional and national association meetings; and Trustee training and education. The Trustee must be able to devote the necessary time to attend meetings and participate in discussions as needed by the Cooperative. 

Each FEC Trustee is expected to attain their Credentialed Cooperative Director Certificate (CCD) within 18 months of being elected. 

For questions, please contact Cindy Crosswhite, Executive Assistant, at 406-751-4444 or by email: [email protected].

As a cooperative, Flathead Electric is owned by the members who get their power from our Co-op, which includes everyone in the Flathead, Libby and Cooke City areas of Montana. That means the employees are members and own the cooperative too. We treat every member like family and friends, because they are.

For 85 years, Flathead Electric Cooperative has been an employer of choice in Northwest Montana. As part of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), Flathead Electric provides competitive pay, exceptional benefits including a retirement plan, a matching 401K, and generous health/dental/vision/disability insurance. We try to incorporate fun into our workdays, host employee family events throughout the year and provide opportunities for our employees to help the Board of Trustees shape the future of the Co-op by participating on exploratory advisory groups an, innovative pilot projects.

We believe in hiring the best and promoting from within. Flathead Electric provides on the job training and offers an education reimbursement program for those employees wishing to better their education to pursue opportunities at our Co-op. Flathead Electric is an equal opportunity employer. Flathead Electric Cooperative does not discriminate in employment on account of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, political belief, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service, or retaliation.

Some positions are “safety sensitive,” some require a CDL, and all have access to confidential member information at times. Therefore, we screen our applicants thoroughly. All employment offers are contingent upon passing a limited background check and a drug screening appropriate for the position. Once hired, employment is subject to a one-year probationary period, during which time employment may be terminated with or without cause and with or without notice.

By submitting this application, the applicant affirms that information provided is true and complete information, no requested information has been concealed, and Flathead Electric Cooperative is authorized to contact references provided for employment reference checks. If any information provided is found to be untrue, or concealed, employment may be denied or terminated.