Northern Wasco County People's Utility District has been recognized as one of The Oregonian's Top Workplaces for 2025, marking the first time the utility has received this prestigious regional honor, the Oregon PUD reported on Sept. 29.
NWCPUD ranked 20th among small employers in Oregon and Southwest Washington, with 115 total organizations earning recognition across all size categories.
The Top Workplaces award is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a confidential third-party survey administered by Energage LLC.
The survey measures the employee experience across key themes including engagement, alignment, empowerment, respect and support, growth opportunities, and whether employees feel fairly valued. An impressive 84.3% of NWCPUD employees participated in the survey.
"Being named to The Oregonian's Top Workplaces list for the first time is a tremendous honor, and it reflects the dedication of our entire team," said Roger Kline, General Manager and CEO of Northern Wasco County PUD. "This recognition comes directly from our employees, which makes it especially meaningful. Our mission has always been about serving our customer-owners with reliable, affordable power, and that starts with creating a workplace where our employees feel valued, empowered, and motivated to give their best every day."
NWCPUD employees gave particularly high marks in several key areas, with 98% believing the organization is going in the right direction, 95% saying they would highly recommend working at NWCPUD to others, and 93% feeling their job makes them part of something meaningful.
Additionally, 91% of employees reported having the flexibility needed to balance work and personal life, and an equal percentage said the organization does an excellent job prioritizing employee well-being.
This recognition builds on NWCPUD's commitment to workplace excellence. In 2024, the utility was named one of Oregon Business magazine's "100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon," ranking 21st among large organizations.
The consistent recognition demonstrates NWCPUD's ongoing dedication to fostering a positive workplace culture while delivering quality utility service to the community. "Our employees are the foundation of everything we accomplish," added Kline. "As we continue to grow and evolve to meet the energy opportunities ahead, having a strong, motivated team is essential. This recognition validates our commitment to creating an environment where people can thrive while serving our community."
Another PUD in Oregon -- Tillamook PUD – was also included on the Oregonian's Top Workplaces for 2025. It ranked number 13 in the small employers category.
