At GVEC, we know our employees are our most important resource. Recruiting and hiring at GVEC —finding the right people to join the Cooperative team — isn’t always easy, and it’s a job we don’t take lightly. However, we believe getting the right person into each position is worth the time and effort. The reason is simple: People who are committed to their job—who get a sense of fulfillment from the work and from serving others—make a positive difference not only for GVEC, but also for the members and customers they serve in the Guadalupe Valley.
What Does Recruiting and Hiring at GVEC Look Like?
When we search for and recruit people for positions at the Cooperative, there are a number of specific factors that we consider. For one, we want people who view serving others as a “calling”—individuals whose mindset is focused on being part of something larger than themselves.
Recruiting and hiring at GVEC is also about looking for people who are highly motivated and generally optimistic in their outlook. We want self-starters who understand that, although individual positions have special areas of focus, everyone at the Cooperative works toward the common purpose of meeting the needs and improving the lives of those we serve. We want people who understand and take seriously the fact that every member of GVEC’s team has an impact on both external and internal customers. And we also look for people who value being part of a highly adaptable workforce that evolves and grows according to the development of our Cooperative.
What Do We Want Prospective Employees to See in GVEC?
Another important part of recruiting and hiring at GVEC is assuring that prospective employees know what the Cooperative offers. If you take a job with us, you’ll receive broad support from your Cooperative family. We’ll be there to help you in maintaining a proper mindset and in growing both personally and professionally.
This is why, a few years ago, we implemented specialized training for all GVEC staff that focuses on effective communication and gaining a better, more empathetic understanding of coworkers, members and customers. We want to make sure we never fail to recognize that those we work with and serve are human beings with unique backgrounds, experiences, thoughts, needs and feelings. Every part of our team, from entry-level positions and linemen to senior management executives, has attended these trainings and participates in ongoing employee development exercises. And if you come to work here, you will, too.
Attracting Top-Notch Employees Requires a Top-Notch Employer
We realize that the job-seeker/prospective employer relationship isn’t a one-way proposition. In this day and age, job seekers have more options and greater leverage in the job market than ever before. Finding the right people to serve means making sure GVEC is a place where people want to work. That means—among other things—creating and maintaining a positive, supportive work culture, and offering competitive wages, along with an enticing benefits package that provides a measure of security for the employee and his/her family.
Health Insurance and Other First-Class Benefits
Our employee-based health insurance options offer a great example of our efforts to build a competitive benefits package as part of the process of recruiting and hiring at GVEC . We offer a choice between traditional or high-deductible plans. The high-deductible plan features a health-savings account employees can draw from to pay out-of-pocket medical expenses—tax-free—in conjunction with a percentage of coverage until reaching a specific threshold. After that point, 100% of all remaining health-insurance expenses are covered for the remainder of the calendar year. After offering the high-deductible option for a few years now, we’ve found that, depending on individual circumstances, many employees and their families can save significant money on healthcare expenses with this plan compared to a traditional plan.
Additionally, our 401(k) retirement program stands above many offered by other employers, with employer matches that are second-to-none, and outstanding growth potential. And of course, we offer paid vacation and sick leave, along with other perks that set us apart from many employers.
Our optional employee wellness plans adds to the positive, supportive work culture we mentioned. These plans include things like our free annual health fair, free flu shots for employees and their families, and “Lunch-and-Learn” sessions. Also part of that positive culture are events we hold employees can participate in, including opportunities to volunteer and give back to our communities.
Apply for Careers at GVEC
At GVEC, we take our responsibility for finding the right team members seriously. We believe every position, even those filled by someone never seen by the public, has a primary purpose of benefiting and providing value to you, our member and/or customer. If you’re interested in joining a team of people dedicated to serving the communities in Schertz, Seguin, La Vernia, Gonzales, Cuero and surrounding areas with electricity, internet, solar and electrician services, or AC/heating, look for us on Indeed and LinkedIn. You can also find information about current job postings on our Facebook (@GVECsocial) and Twitter (@GVEC_Tweets) pages or by visiting jobs.gvec.org.
