Working under the guidance of the Director, Field Operations Region 5, the Solar Site Supervisor oversees the day-to-day operation and maintenance of a 240 MW ac (321 MW dc) solar farm in Falls County, Texas. This position is a full time - non-exempt "hands on" assignment that will oversee operations of True North Solar, with the possibility of additional plants or phases being added in the future.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Perform O&M tasks in strict compliance with the company’s environmental health & safety programs, policies, and procedures, as well as Federal, State, and local regulations and permits.
- Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate performance of employees.
- Responsible for technician development, growth, and facilitation of long-term succession planning within the area of responsibility.
- Establish & maintain a workplace culture that is dedicated to safe work practices, continuous improvement, quality workmanship, and effectiveness at all levels. This includes holding oneself and others, including contractors and visitors, accountable for safety in everything we do.
- Maximize solar electric production reliability and availability through effective maintenance planning & coordination. Forge effective business relationships with suppliers, vendors, contractors, landowners and the community.
- Ensure prudent O&M practices are employed while optimizing O&M costs. Manage expenditures in support of delivering upon the company’s financial expectations for the project.
- Support unscheduled events such as outages or corrective maintenance activities to minimize the impact to the company & others, including on-call support.
- Work collaboratively with corporate engineering, management & others to employ best practices across the Avangrid fleet of assets, including gas, biomass, wind, and other solar sites.
- Lead the development & execution of site-specific O&M procedures with input from subject matter experts. Establish training requirements & ensure all personnel receive training & qualifications commensurate with their job.
- Provide field support for operation of the facility control and communications infrastructure, including but not limited to the DCS (Wonderware or similar), SCADA, inverters, switchgear, and solar generation forecasting systems.
- Support construction & projects teams: develop a punchlist of incomplete or otherwise unacceptable items and coordinate with others to ensure all items are resolved prior to turnover to commercial operations. Assist in mechanical and commissioning walk-downs.
- Administer warranty on behalf of Company for new equipment in compliance with contracts.
- Coordinate maintenance activities with Trading, NCC, off takers, transmission operators, contractors, and others as appropriate.
- Assist RD in developing necessary goals, objectives, and priorities as appropriate to create & sustain a world-class solar generation facility.
- Be innovative - solve problems where limited standardization & procedures exist.
- Operate and maintain solar equipment along with associated infrastructure including substation, collection, and transmission systems.
- Read schematics and proficiently troubleshoot complicated mechanical, electrical problems as well as PLC issues or inverters.
- Perform mechanical and electrical component repair or replacement of parts to correct malfunctions following all manufacturers' requirements.
- Perform preventive maintenance in accordance with OEM maintenance manuals.
- Adhere to effective internal controls.
- Perform data collection and prepare reports to meet plant reporting requirements.
- Perform various retrofits and design modifications.
- Perform various QA/QC functions, compile and submit supporting documents of items found.
- Develop and oversee budget plans annually.
- Responsible for project scope, schedules and budgets.
Requirements
- Two-year college or technical school certificate; or 2 or more years of related experience or power industry training; relevant military experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- O&M experience in utility size wind or solar power plant operations & maintenance (nameplate rating 1 MW or greater)
- Valid Driver’s License.
- Successful completion of the EEI screening test
- Advanced computer skills utilizing word processing, e-mail, spreadsheet, management & reporting systems, including the use of diagnostic and troubleshooting tools.
- Ability to work independently, in adverse weather conditions, and safely around low and medium voltage.
- Ability to effectively interact with public, community leaders, and off taker representatives as the "face of Avangrid" while demonstrating the ability to be innovative. Ability to solve problems where only limited standardization & procedures exist.
- Strong understanding of safety laws, environmental regulations, labor law, contract administration, claims avoidance, insurance, and permit compliance
- Must live in vicinity of the area of operation
- Due to the nature of solar, much of the maintenance may require working at night. Ability and willingness to work swing shift and work evening, nights, or early morning is essential.
- Ability to work in extremely adverse weather conditions
- Willing to work overtime on holidays, weekends, and on short notice participating in an on-call schedule.
Preference may be given to candidates with the following:
- Utility size Solar Energy O&M experience
- High voltage switching & maintenance training and experience
- Experience with developing & maintaining CMMS (maintenance database)
- Supervisory experience
- 4-year accredited college degree
- 4 or more years of related experience or power industry training
- Relevant military experience
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, references, drug screen, verification of legal right to work in the U.S., and in some cases, a credit check. A credit check will be administered when a prospective employee will be working in Finance, Accounting, Treasury or where duties may involve handling of funds, accounts, or cash. Avangrid is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Mobility Information
Please note that any applicant who is not a citizen of the country of the vacancy will be subject to compliance with the applicable immigration requirements to legally work in that country.
AVANGRID’s employment practices and policies are geared to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. At AVANGRID we provide fair and equal employment and advancement opportunities for all employees and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.
