Solar Operations Manager

Summary

Summary/Objective

JERA Americas Inc. is a very fast-growing Energy company that is focused on supporting the successful operations of the parent company, JERA Co. Inc., in Japan, and expanding the JERA business in the USA, including power generation with renewables, alternative fuels, power generation fuels purchase and sales, and alternative Green fuels production, sales and use.

This role will report to the CPGO Renewables Operations Manager and will be responsible for managing and supporting operations & maintenance for multiple solar generation sites with priority to safety of all personnel and equipment. This includes taking the new sites from construction to commercial operations as well as managing the day-to-day operation, maintenance, fiscal and administrative functions of the sites.  Provide operations support for regulatory and statutory compliance. In addition, this position contributes to the group’s involvement with asset acquisition transition efforts.

Position Description

Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
•    Ensure plant solar operations are completed in a safe and efficient manner
•    Strong experience in solar plant operations and maintenance activities to include oversight of preventative, correct, and balance of plant maintenances 
•    Manage, develop and assess project operations and maintenance budgets and schedules
•    Supervise site personnel including subcontractors and consultants to ensure quality and conformance to specifications, budgets, schedule and corporate policies.
•    Manage programs for solar site equipment inspection and maintenance program 
•    Responsible for assisting implementation of maintenance management system and processes to include parts/equipment/tools procurement, and warranty management
•    Responsible for all solar day-to-day operation, maintenance, fiscal and administrative functions of the site and for achieving company and group activities
•    Support power plant performance teams with site performance, technical and equipment failure diagnostics, and root cause analytics 
•    Manages all areas of responsibility consistent with federal, state, and local regulations as well as environmental requirements; company policies and procedures; company’s annual operations plan; legal and contractual requirements; and good wind and solar industry practices while operating in a clean, safe, efficient and economical manner
•    Takes all necessary actions to protect the facility’s’ operating permits
•    Carries out all responsibilities under environmental legislation; develops and ensures adherence to proper procedures to prevent environmental spills; monitors, records, any non-compliances, and environmental spills; ensures proper training of personnel on transportation of dangerous goods; promotes awareness for the environment and the requirements of environmental compliance
•    Provide technical support for the design, construction, or commissioning of solar and wind farm projects
•    Supervises site environmental and NERC compliance
•    Approve, or as required submits for approval, documents and procedures that will be used on the sites    
•    Utilizes a computer-based automated maintenance management system to: organize equipment commissioning, operations and maintenance files; to identify trends; to take corrective action; and to maintain equipment performance by maximizing plant capacity factor, availability, performance and efficiency
 

Position Description Continued

Competencies

• Team coordination and collaboration
• Must demonstrate a strong solar technical and managerial capability Ethical Conduct and understands and practices discretion and respects confidentiality
• Likes to see projects through to completion

• Self-motivated learner and strong desire to constantly improve
• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with a track record of success coordinating with other renewable energy professionals and cross department team members.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, with the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve technical issues while adhering to local, State and Federal regulations.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines while complying with local, State and Federal regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including technical and non-technical staff, vendors, and service providers.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

•    Bachelor's degree in engineering, technical management, or a related field.
•    Minimum of 5 years of experience in solar operations management, or other related industrial setting.
•    Knowledge and experience utilizing SCADA, HMI, CMS and other computer applications for operations and maintenance.
•    Strong knowledge of inverter operations and maintenance
•    Direct experience in vegetation management and managing 3rd parties
•    Experience managing and administering warranty programs at the site level 
•    Knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulations related to physical and cyber security in the power generation sector.

Preferred Education and Experience

•    7+ years experience in operations/asset management of renewable solar power plants and a working knowledge of wind and battery storage technologies 
•    5+ years coordinating 3rd party vendors to accomplish solar facility operations, performance, and safety goals at a power plant

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

•    Excellent written and oral communication skills
•    Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills
•    Time management skills
•    Teamwork management across departments and organizations
 

Qualifications Continued