Site Lead Technician

General Description:

The Site Lead Technician is responsible for the on-site operations, maintenance, repairs, and replacement of equipment at one of EDPR NA’s operating wind-energy generation sites. You will lead all areas of plant operations as directed by the Operations Manager and will work closely with external contractors, Central Maintenance, Performance Analysis, and other internal departments as needed.

Main accountabilities:

• Provide leadership to a team of up to 10 Field Service Technicians to include planning and executing work schedules, mentoring, coaching, and evaluating performance
• Responsible for facilitating training requirements such as tasked based certifications, safety training, and compliance training
• Ensure proper operation and maintenance of wind turbines and associated wind plant equipment including substation and tower switchgear
• Proactively look for improvement opportunities to job appropriate processes and procedures
• Effectively gather information regarding turbine performance/issues. May diagnose, recommend, and implement solutions up to intermediate routine issues.
• Comply with all pertinent environmental health and safety programs
• Act as a safety role model, encourage and recognize others completing safe acts and intervene when unsafe acts are being practiced
• Perform a variety of administrative duties satisfying both internal and external reporting requirements. Administrative responsibilities include but are not limited to reviewing timesheets, plan of the day (POD) reports, reviewing work orders, SAP processing, fault reports, offline turbine reports, QA/QC inspections reports, and engineering cases.
• Identify gaps in safety standards and safety risks in the environment
• Implement effective risk mitigation and provide recommendations to higher level technical staff and management
• Demonstrate and promote integrity, strong initiative, and a no-compromise focus on safety and quality of work on a continuous basis
• Read schematics in order to troubleshoot complicated mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic problems with variable pitch, speed control systems, and components
• Perform mechanical and electrical component repair and replacement of parts to correct malfunctions in accordance with all pertinent manufacturers' requirements
• Perform preventive maintenance in accordance with OEM maintenance manuals
• Review completed service checklists for accuracy and maintain punch list for future work activities
• Adhere to effective internal controls
• Perform data collection and prepare reports in order to meet reporting requirements
• Perform QA/QC inspections in accordance with applicable SOP
• Engage appropriate internal and external resources to correct performance issues
• Ensure that reliable electronic communication is maintained between the turbines, substation, site office, and home office
• Facilitate periodic equipment inspections and reporting
• Additional duties as required

Direct reports: up to 10

Travel: Minimal, as needed

Minimum qualifications:

• 1 years of college or technical school education, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• 2 – 5 years relevant experience in wind energy or a related industry
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office software, SQL Server software, facility management and reporting systems, and computerized diagnostic and troubleshooting tools
• Familiarity with maintenance and electronic testing equipment (e.g., voltage testers, amp clamps, oscilloscopes, megohmmeters, infrared testers, hydraulic torque equipment, alignment tools, various hand and power tools) and with heavy equipment required for facility maintenance
• Working knowledge of crane and rigging
• Experience with power plant operations and maintenance, wind plant operations, and turbines (including turbine power converters specifically), high-voltage switching, and post-operational repair, and maintenance of turbines preferred
• Competency in Analytical Problem Solving, Strong Communication, Customer/Partner Relationships, and Technology Expertise. (Preferred)

Behavioral requirements:

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and possession of a valid driver’s license
• Ability to work around low- and medium-voltage equipment
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally to other operational sites within the US and Canada as needed
• Ability and willingness to respond to site emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as needed

Physical demands & working conditions:

• Sitting/Standing/Flexibility: Ability to frequently perform physical tasks including standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, bending, twisting, squatting, and reaching approximately 75% of the time while on wind farm sites. Ability to stand and sit for 8 or more hours when in an office environment.
• Walking: Ability to walk .25 to .5 miles per day, including across unpaved and rough surfaces when on wind farm sites
• Speech/Reading: Ability to speak, read, and write English proficiently and deliver a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form

• Lifting: Ability to frequently lift items weighing up to 50 pounds
• Climbing:
• Ability to climb turbine towers
• Weight, including harness and tools, must be in accordance with the weight limit as specified by the ANSI Fall Protection Standards
• Vision/Hearing: Ability to interpret and follow a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form
• Tolerance to Extreme Weather Conditions: Ability to work in adverse weather conditions 25% of the time while on wind farm sites
• Safety: Ability to understand and communicate safety precautions when necessary

Preferred

Required