Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Manager

Headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Sun Tribe is one of the fastest growing clean energy companies in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Thanks to an experienced, in-house team of engineers, analysts, technicians and electricians, Sun Tribe O&M is able to provide best-in-class technical asset management and operations & maintenance ("O&M") services for our client-partners across a growing portfolio of over 100 operational sites throughout the region.

The Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Manager will be responsible for managing the daily operations for a team of O&M Technicians and Electricians as well as occasionally supervising subcontractor partners. This position requires a variety of skills to manage aspects of solar PV system O&M, including preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, corrective repairs, and special projects.

The O&M Manager reports directly to the Director of Operations and Maintenance and supervises a team of field technicians and electricians. It is expected that this position will require approximately 20% office work and 80% field work (day travel).

• Fosters positive working relationships with all internal and external stakeholders including project teams, asset owners, client partners, facility hosts, subcontractors and equipment manufacturer representatives.

• Fosters a sense of trust and reliability on behalf of all asset owners and/or owner representatives by providing timely and accurate communication about site issues.

• Proactively engages in communication with site hosts and provides appropriate lead time for site visits as required.

• Supervises a team of O&M Technicians and Electricians to accomplish assigned Work Orders.

• Completes detailed scheduling, planning and assignment of Work Orders.

• Coordinates service visits with site host representatives to obtain building access and minimize the impact to the facility staff.

• Ensures all field personnel have the appropriate understanding of scope, tools, materials, and equipment to complete assigned tasks.

• Ensures team members have all standard materials and spare parts.

• Promotes adherence to all safety plans, guidelines, and site requirements.

• Identifies safety hazards and recommends appropriate controls for upcoming Work Orders.

• Reviews service reports submitted by team members for completeness and quality assurance.

• Periodically inspects work vehicles and tools for cleanliness and operability.

• Provides continuous support for all direct reports by setting clear performance goals and creating detailed plans in support of those goals.

• Assists in the collection of key project information to include drawing sets, equipment manuals, specification sheets and commissioning documents for new sites.

• Supports regularly scheduled calls with asset owner partners and provides updates on operational status, site issues, risks, outages and pending resolutions as needed.

• Completes preventative maintenance inspections (PMIs) in according to the O&M agreement.

• Recommends corrective maintenance and facilitates the completion of repairs and/or system upgrades as approved by asset owner.

• Troubleshoots system outages, faults, or other abnormal conditions, either remotely or on site, and formulates a recommendation for corrective actions.

• Periodically oversees subcontractors utilized to perform assessments, inspections, corrective maintenance, or other specific scopes of work.

• Facilitates warranty equipment replacements and submits claims for reimbursement from OEM.

• Degree required: Associate’s Degree or comparable years of experience is required

• A minimum of five years’ experience installing, troubleshooting, and/or maintaining commercial or utility-scale solar PV equipment is required

• Demonstrate company core values

• Advanced knowledge of electrical principles, maintenance procedures and documentation

• Experience with the National Electric Code as it pertains to solar PV system design

• Experience in leading small teams in industrial settings

• Strong computer skills

• Honest, reliable, self-aware and conscientious

• Strong interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written

• Strong planning, organization and prioritization skills

• Electrical license preferred

• NABCEP PV Installation Professional, PV Inspector, and/or PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist Certification preferred

• Valid driver’s license required

• Some evening and weekend work is required

• Must be on-call to address delays, emergencies, bad weather, and other issues at the jobsite

• Requires approximately 20% office work and 80% field work (day travel)

• Must be able to traverse and inspect all areas of jobsite in all types of weather; this may include walking, climbing, reaching, bending, crawling, or stretching

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds at a time

• Require travel to worksites and projects as needed

• Exposure to characteristic construction site dangers

• O&M Technician

• O&M Electrician

This position is considered Full-Time Salaried, Nonexempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws which means that you will be eligible for overtime time pay for hours worked in excess of 40 in a given workweek.

Sun Tribe offers all full-time employees:

• Health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)

• Life insurance

• 15 company holidays, similar to Virginia State holiday schedule

• Paid maternity/paternity leave

• Paid Time Off

• 401(k) with 4% employer match

• Discretionary Bonus Potential

• $600 annual health & wellness reimbursement

Please submit your resume and relevant project experience via our application portal. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Even if you do not meet every listed qualification, we encourage you to apply. We prioritize talent, passion, and drive over what looks good on paper. If you're on the fence, we encourage you to hit the apply button and highlight what draws you to Sun Tribe.

Sun Tribe is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, family medical or genetic information, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Sun Tribe complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Sun Tribe operates. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Sun Tribe O&M is a drug-free workplace. Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check, drug screening, and employment eligibility verification through E-Verify.

Read more about our company values and about Sun Tribe O&M at https://suntribesolar.com/operations-and-maintenance/