Lead Solar Technician

Lead Technician, Utility Solar

Job Category: Operations

Location: Bethel, NC

Join one of the largest renewable owners, operators and developers in the U.S., delivering innovative, renewable power solutions that accelerate the world towards a sustainable, low-carbon future. With current U.S. assets under management valued at $20 billion and over 190 utility-scale renewable energy generating facilities located across 34 states, Brookfield Renewable U.S. offers a multitude of career opportunities. Our dynamic organization is focused on our mission to optimize and drive value across our renewable energy portfolio, advancing the transition to a sustainable, clean energy future. Our value also extends well beyond the clean energy we produce. From our extensive renewable power fleet, we make positive economic, social and environmental impacts in the communities where we live and work.

Brookfield Renewable U.S. attracts high-performing individuals who are driven to make an impact in a fast-paced and collaborative environment. We encourage collaboration across all levels of experience to promote learning, generate best ideas, and deliver quality results, with the aim for growth and career development. We offer unparalleled opportunity to lead and manage one of the largest renewable energy businesses with decades of history, while contributing to the global need for sustainable energy.

Lead Technician, Utility Solar

The Lead Solar Technician will be responsible for the on-site operations, maintenance, repairs, and replacement of utility solar field equipment at a Brookfield Renewable operating solar-energy generation site. You will also perform Lock out Tag out (LOTO), Tail Board meetings, and job-specific documentation that is required to conduct solar maintenance safely. Additionally, you will perform inspections of equipment, tools, and facility for compliance.

Main Accountabilities

• Accountable for a safe job site and comply with Brookfield Health, Safety, Security and Environmental procedures
• Promote integrity, strong initiative, and a no-compromise focus on safety and quality of work on a continuous basis
• Ensure proper operation and maintenance of solar field equipment and associated solar plant components including inverters, tracker systems, transformers, PV panels, substations, switchgears, access roads, fences, and security systems
• Supervise a team of technicians to execute preventative and corrective maintenance
• Proactively look for improvement opportunities to job-appropriate processes and procedures and communicate through appropriate channels to implement improvements using the Management of Change Protocols
• Read schematics in order to troubleshoot complicated mechanical and electrical, problems with inverters, tracker control systems, PV panels, and components
• Perform mechanical and electrical component repair and replacement of parts to correct malfunctions in accordance with all pertinent manufacturers' requirements
• Effectively gather information regarding solar performance/issues
• Diagnose, recommend, and implement solutions up to intermediate routine issues
• Act as the Brookfield Renewable representative for the site to all employees, partners, visitors, regulatory bodies, landowners, and the general public
• Seek assistance when encountering issues outside the trained skill level to ensure success in the resolution
• Manage subcontractors in the execution of building & grounds maintenance, vegetation control, snow plowing, module washing, etc.
• Implement effective risk mitigation and provide recommendations to higher-level technical staff and management
• Perform preventive maintenance in accordance with OEM maintenance manuals
• Perform data collection and prepare reports in order to meet reporting requirements
• Work with and respond to control center when necessary
• Perform QA/QC inspections in accordance with applicable SOP
• Ensure that reliable electronic communication is maintained between the solar field, substation, control center, site office, and corporate office
• Facilitate periodic equipment inspections and reporting
• Document all work performed using computer-based service reporting procedures
• Adhere to effective internal controls
• Additional duties as required, such as permit compliance obligations
• Attend OEM equipment training, including travel requirements
  
  
  

Travel: ~10%

Qualifications

• AAS degree in Electrical Technology or equivalent
• Must have experience in operating personal computer with technical proficiency of standard business software. Experience with SCADA and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems is highly recommended.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical fundamentals (single craft journeyman skills) such as electrical measurements, control circuits, and solid-state theory application.
• Minimum four years of experience in solar facility maintenance and repair or electrician.
• Knowledge of electrical testing and equipment used at solar facilities including but not limited to; IR equipment and IV curve tracing.
  
  
  

Behavioral Requirements

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle and possession of a valid driver’s license
• Ability to work in adverse weather conditions
• 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 work overtime on holidays and weekends and to work on short notice as needed due to on-call scheduling
• 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 solar farm sites; ability to stand and sit for 8 or more hours when in an office environment
• Walking: Ability to walk up to a few miles per day, including across unpaved and rough surfaces when on solar farm sites
• Speech/Reading: Ability to speak, read, and write English proficiently and deliver a variety of instructions furnished in written verbal, diagram, or scheduled form
• Lifting: Ability to frequently lift items weighing up to 50 pounds
  
  
  

Vision/Hearing

• Safety: Ability to understand and communicate safety precautions when necessary
• 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 solar farm sites
  
  
  

Budget: $40.00-44.00/hr.

Bonus: 10%