Introduction:
As the quantity of operating assets under the Standard Solar/Vigilant Energy Management portfolio continues to grow, so to have the needs for diligent system monitoring, work order management (reactive and preventative) and O&M contractor management. The O&M Manager oversees these processes and provides leadership to the SSI/VEM O&M staff (Operations Associate(s), Operations Analyst(s) and O&M Technician(s)).
Job Summary:
The O&M Manager is currently responsible for managing the timecards of all O&M Staff (Operations Associate(s), Operations Analyst(s) and O&M Technicians). The O&M Manager manages 3rd party O&M provider contracts and project deliverables. Additionally, this position effectively manages O&M budget expenditures in terms of reactive and preventative service work. The O&M Manager is responsible for managing DAS configuration and operational on boarding of new and existing assets. Additionally, the O&M Manager oversees daily, monthly and yearly production output of operational assets and is the main point of contact for downtime reporting and major system event response. This position oversees the CRM platform for internal work order management as it relates to reactive and preventative maintenance activities for all SSI Assets. This position interfaces with Construction and Engineering departments to effectively manage incoming operational SSI Assets by reviewing commissioning documentation, configuring DAS and SCADA platforms and providing technical monitoring expertise on all operational assets. The O&M Manager utilizes expertise in remote monitoring and workflow management to increase overall asset performance and capacity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Manage, prioritize, and organize the day to day responsibilities for a team of operations analysts, technicians and third-party O&M providers.
- Oversee the reactive and preventative maintenance processes and schedules for operational assets by reviewing, approving , and providing technical feedback on preventative maintenance activities.
- Organize and prioritize work with a team of direct reports to ensure photovoltaic system uptime at guaranteed levels.
- Monitor solar photovoltaic operational assets in real time at varying granularities via DAS & SCADA programming, relay programming (Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Eaton products) and Human Machine Interface (HMI) platforms
- Review and approve corrective action plans developed by the team to address active outage events and major reactive issues related to the operational optimization of the solar photovoltaic facilities.
- Prepare and submit service and production reports for generating assets to provide to management and asset stakeholders.
- Develop departmental standard operating procedures for analysts and technicians to ensure best practices.
- Train operation and maintenance analysts in general workflow, department standard operating procedures and technical concepts.
- Analyze system outages and electrical anomalies through multiple DAS/SCADA platforms.
- Create and oversee action plans and schedules with several parties (contractors, utilities, and field technicians) for emergency repair work and preventative maintenance schedules.
- Recognize emergency situations at solar facilities and respond to those situations in a manner that effectively reduces system downtime, reduces revenue loss and prioritizes on-site personnel safety.
- Train and develop SOPs for departmental staff in remotely operating protective relays and reclosers.
- Manage remote devices, including but not limited to site cameras, tracker controllers, transformer monitors and relays/reclosers.
- Manage and assist in reviewing commissioning deliverables of new assets and provide technical comments on thermal imaging reports, IV curve trace reports and insulation resistance test reports.
- Develop and manage department wide Emergency Response Plan (ERP) for onsite and offsite personnel to follow in the event of emergency situations.
- Manage weekend coverage conducted by Vigilant staff members (management of process, schedule & emergency response).
- Work directly with and in the support of the Director of Asset Management on miscellaneous projects and initiatives as they arise.
Manager Responsibilities:
The O&M Manager currently is responsible for the day-to-day activities for (3) direct reports. The number of direct reports is subject to change depending on the growth of the organization and team.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- BS/MS with knowledge and interest in the renewable power industry.
- Must possess current valid license to drive or otherwise provide own transportation.
- Ability to travel to jobsite to help facilitate work order close outs as needed.
- Must successfully pass background check and pre-employment drug testing.
- Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer.
- Experience with the operations and reporting of various Data Acquisition Systems (DAS)
- 2+ years of experience in the operations and maintenance of solar Photovoltaic (PV) generating facilities.
- NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification is preferred.
- Experience managing a team is preferred.
Position Routinely Interfaces with:
- Customers and the general public
- Vigilant Department
- Sales and Business development team
- Construction and Engineering departments
- All employees, including Senior and Executive Management
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Conducts work in both a field-type environment or in a professional office setting with local travel to jobsites to conduct inspections. Physical working conditions may involve the following:
- Lifting up to 50 pounds.
- Extended periods of sitting, walking, standing, reaching, and/or bending.
- Extended periods of reading fine print on a computer or in paper-based format.
NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Routine aspects of this position may require the following non-physical demands:
- Analytical and logical reasoning.
- Problem solving and researching skills.
- Time management and organizational skills.
POTENTIAL HAZARDS:
Routine aspects of this position may place the incumbent in situations where they may be susceptible to potential hazards from the following:
- Trips, slips and/or falls while on customer property.
- Chemical abrasives used in office and kitchen cleaning.
- Lifting items up to 50 pounds in weight.
- Other hazardous conditions on customer premises, not otherwise defined here.
POTENTIAL CAREER PATH:
Upward
- Assistant Asset Manager
- Asset Manager