Operations Instructor/Sr. Operations Instructor
Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.
Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.
Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.
The job summary below and responsibilities reflect the Operations Instructor level role. The successfully chosen candidate will be placed at a level that is commensurate with their skills and experience as different skills and/or experience will be required at the Instructor or Sr Instructor levels.
Position Summary
The Operations Instructor is responsible for the analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of operator training. Delivery of training occurs in a variety of settings with other instructors and other groups in accordance with the accredited training processes and all-applicable codes and regulations. The Instructor evaluates trainee performance on-the-job and in the simulator when applicable. Implements SAT process for the Operations training programs. May include initial and continuing training for all Operations personnel. Additional responsibilities include training program maintenance, CAP management, and support of the Operations group's day-to-day activities.
Essential Responsibilities
- Analyze and design training for all operations training programs including non-licensed operator, licensed operator, Shift Manager and Shift Technical Advisor training.
- Develop and conduct training in the classroom and/or simulator for all operator training programs including non-licensed operator, licensed operator, Shift Manager and Shift Technical Advisor training. Develop and administer examinations for all operator training programs.
- Pursue qualifications to support the various operator training programs such as general instructor, simulator booth operator, SRO Certification, and simulator floor instructor. Once qualified, maintain SRO Certification to support instructional needs.
- Assist with self-assessments and other evaluations of the various operator training programs.
- Assist with in-processing for the large number of contract employees for plant outages.
- Support plant refueling outages by transitioning to the plant staff during lengthy outages.
- Function as a member of the site Emergency Response Organization (ERO)
Operations Instructor Level ($84,900-$120,567)
Minimum Requirements
- Candidates should possess expertise/familiarity with power plant operations. Technical expertise in another discipline, such as electrical and mechanical maintenance, health physics or chemistry is beneficial.
- Candidates must have demonstrated an ability to interface well with people, communicate effectively, and express ideas clearly, concisely, and accurately both orally and in writing.
- Candidates must be able to effectively present training material to various class sizes with varied entry-level knowledge.
- Organizational and administrative skills are required to the extent needed to produce, maintain and deliver accredited performance-based training.
- Applicants must be self-motivated, and able to work independently and in teams with minimal supervision. Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, is required.
- Candidates must satisfy all Company and Nuclear Regulatory Commission security requirements.
Preferred Requirements
- RO or SRO license or SRO Certification is preferred.
Sr Operations Instructor Level ($97,600-$138,600)
Minimum Requirements
- Diploma or GED, plus, Associate's degree or equivalent experience required. Military or commercial nuclear experience is considered equivalent on a 1:1 basis. Bachelor's degree preferred.
- RO or SRO license/SRO Certification.
- 5 or more years of work experience related to plant operation, including 3 years of training related experience. Any combination of instructional or work experience related to the operation of a commercial or military nuclear facility; military or commercial instructor, public education or college/technical school teacher, or qualified in-plant trainer.
- National Academy of Nuclear Training (NANT) instructor qualification or must be qualified within 1-year of assignment.
- Must be familiar with SAT principles and applicable regulatory requirements associated with licensed and non-licensed operators.
- Must be familiar with requirements to maintain accreditation of the operator training programs.
- Ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear power plant required.
Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.
Our Values
Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe
Our Employee Commitments
- Work that makes a difference
- A team you can count of
- Opportunities to grow
- Rewards that help you thrive
Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.
Non-Bargaining
The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $84,900.00 to $138,600.00 per year
This position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental Leave
Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.
In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Deadline to Apply: 11/01/26
EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)
All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.
Accessibility Statement
Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.