FSE Tech I

General Description:

The FSE Technician I will provide hands-on technical support to operating and newly constructed wind farms, taking direction from the Field Support Engineer. You will provide technical support to multiple wind farms within a specific region and may travel to other regions as needed to support technical operations.

Main accountabilities:

• Work with site personnel, Field Support Engineer, Regional Operations Manager, and Performance Engineering Team to maximize plant availability, efficiency, and other performance metrics
• Provide engineering support to on-site staff for issues relating to overall facility and individual turbine operational performance; facility infrastructure, including substations, collection systems, communication systems, and roads; and administration and oversight of service provider agreements
• Provide hands-on technical troubleshooting support to operating wind farms in order to address faults and other non-routine conditions
• Perform turbine QA/QC inspections and detailed technical audits
• Train site personnel to perform turbine QA/QC inspections
• Perform detailed maintenance inspections (e.g., boroscope)
• Provide technical support for new project mechanical completion and commissioning
• Provide technical and QC support for CIMs and major retrofits
• Provide technical oversight of OEM and service providers prior to warranty expiration
• Provide technical support and assist (hands on) with replacement and repair of major components
• Assist in ensuring compliance with safety and quality requirements and best practices
• Monitor facility operating statistics in comparison to expected performance
• Identify and address positive and negative operational trends
• Collaborate with Energy Assessment and Performance Management staff to ensure proper equipment operation and maximize facility performance
• Support commissioning of new wind farms
• Act as on-the-ground point of contact for operational excellence, best practices, and standard operating procedures programs
• Perform root cause analyses
• Participate in technical and health & safety audits and reviews
• Support Development and Construction teams on wind farm engineering issues
• Provide post warranty technical support and identify retrofits to improve performance and reliability of the WTG’s
• Work with Central Maintenance to determine alternative replacement part compatibility’s and specifications
• Additional duties as required

Direct reports: None

Travel: up to 25%

• High School diploma or equivalent; completion of one or more turbine technical training courses preferred
• 3+ years relevant experience in wind energy, including experience with SCADA systems; some installation, commissioning, main component replacement and service experience preferred
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office software

Behavioral requirements:

• Strong interpersonal skills and high attention to details
• Written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to perform duties independently and remotely as needed
• Ability to manage facility emergencies at all hours
• Ability to quickly learn new software programs
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed up to 25%

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 scheduled form

· Lifting: Ability to frequently lift items weighing up to 50 pounds

· Climbing:

o Ability to climb turbine towers in excess of 100 meters in height to access the work area

o Weight must not exceed 275 pounds, excluding equipment/gear worn when performing job-related tasks, to be in accordance with 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