Senior Site Operator - Wind

RWE Clean Energy, LLC, Mojave, CA

Functional area: Operations & Maintenance

Remuneration: Exempt

The Senior Site Operator is responsible for the on-site generation of renewable energy at all plants in their geographical region portfolio. The Senior Site Operator will be responsible for operating, maintaining and monitoring wind assets and energy infrastructure projects through close collaboration with RWE Clean Energy operators, engineers, asset managers, project managers as well as on-site subcontractors.

The Senior Site Operator will be responsible for performing, supervising, and/or coordinating the daily operation, planned and corrective maintenance, and event response for RWE Clean Energy’s assets according to applicable contracts, agreements or procedures. They will be responsible for operating one or more plants (home base), as well as responsible for performing, supervising, and coordinating all operations, maintenance, and event responses at all other plants that they may be assigned to in the region. Additionally, they may be responsible for coordinating, supervising, and monitoring third party contractors on-site. The Senior Site Operator will furthermore be responsible for ensuring all operations and maintenance activities in the region are performed in accordance with industry best practices, industry best safety practices, RWE Clean Energy procedures, plans, and guidelines as well as all pertinent laws and regulations.

• Plant Maintenance – Supervise and coordinate maintenance, and repair of plant components including BOP “Balance of Plant”; troubleshoot and resolve problems that may arise. Perform preventive/predictive maintenance, as required by applicable contracts, agreements or procedures, to ensure long term profitability, plant reliability and risk minimization.
• Plant Operations – Oversee production of renewable energy at all plants in a particular region, ensuring that plants operate within design parameters in a reliable, safe and efficient manner. Monitor production to ensure plants are meeting performance expectations. Coordinate and resolve operational abnormalities.
• Technical Expertise – Stay abreast of regulations, codes and standards as they relate to the industry. Develop relationships with suppliers that result in beneficial synergies.
• General – Manage contractors as required, act as local RWE liaison, develop long range plans and work with local civic groups as required.
• Technical Support – Perform operational analysis as required to support Asset Management and Project Development. Create, review and distribute daily, weekly and monthly operational reports.

Education:

• 2 year technical degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience:

• 3-5 years’ experience in troubleshooting and maintenance, or supervising maintenance of medium voltage, high voltage, collection, transmission and substation systems
• 5-7 years’ experience in power plant operations environment
• Prior supervisory experience is a plus
• 5-7 years’ experience in a related renewable energy field

Job Skills:

• Excellent technical, analytical and communication skills, strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel
• Knowledge of power generation equipment and technologies
• Ability to work within tight deadlines
• Ability to multi task
• Unrestricted Driver’s license in good standing
• Ability to climb wind turbines

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to perform fine motor tasks, such as screwing or unscrewing nuts and bolts, while reaching around and over objects
• Must be able to lift and carry twenty-five (25) pounds with one hand up to fifteen (15) feet
• Must be able to lift up to fifty (50) pounds from ground to brow height
• Must be able to step or climb up onto a platform at a height of thirty-five (35) inches, with or without support
• Must be able to lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds for up to fifteen (15) feet
• Must be able to military, belly, or back crawl up to fifteen (15) feet to access the nose cone area of wind turbines
• Must be able to lift and transfer up to fifty (50) pounds to a thirty-five (35) inch platform
• Must be able to climb wind towers on a daily basis. During this task, employee must be able to open/close hatch doors and identify potential safety hazards.
• Must be able to crouch, kneel, or ½ kneel for up to five (5) minutes at a time to perform maintenance tasks in low areas
• Must be able to sit, walk or stand for long duration of time
• Must have the ability to identify and distinguish colors
• Must be able to transfer fifty (50) pounds from a thirty-five-inch platform to the floor
• Must be able to maintain a personal weight limitation of 270 lbs
• Must be able to balance: (1) work in closed and small swaying areas on top of and within wind towers, and (2) walk across small surface areas to access areas within wind turbines

Pay range: The annual base salary range for this position in California is $87,500 - $131,100 . The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S. locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but is not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.
RWE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
For 125 years RWE has been the source of energy for millions of people across the globe. Now we’re making all that energy green. This decade alone we’re investing €50bn into renewables and will be carbon neutral by 2040 – ten years earlier than most other global targets. This is a chance to play a key role on our journey.
Join our renewables specialists, working across the clean energy spectrum to grow our operations to 50 GWh by 2030 – with some of the world’s largest on and offshore wind farms and industry-leading hydrogen initiatives. We’re also considered innovators in solar development including floating photovoltaics and agri-photovoltaics. Or add your expertise to our supply and trading operations, brokering renewable electricity, green gas, commodities, and CO2 emission allowances from one of our advanced energy trading floors.
We look forward to meeting you!