Career Map: Site/Plant Manager

Wind plant managers and their teams control the systems that generate and distribute electric power produced by wind power. They direct all wind plant operations for maintenance and repair, performance, and profitability. They manage all wind plant employees, contractors, and equipment support teams, and are responsible for insuring the smooth operation of wind plant activities. Wind plant managers collaborate with the Vice President of Operations, turbine service personnel, utility companies, and wind farm contractors to ensure the proper and safe operation of the facility They support and maintain public and landowner relationships,  and address community, local government, and regulatory body concerns.

The wind site manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the wind plant from a planning, logistics, and execution perspective. They manage maintenance schedules and unexpected maintenance needs, respond to changes in energy demand, address system faults and plant start-up after system fault. The plant manager may also serve as the on-site personnel manager facilitating on-site trainings, environmental safety & health (ES&H) training, personnel scheduling, and service optimization.

Wind site managers are typically responsible for the following:

• Lead operations and maintenance to insure work is carried out using prudent and safe utility practices
• Coordinate maintenance, performance and warranty work for turbine and plant operation
• Support and assist wind power plant operations and maintenance activities.
• Coordinate and schedule outages
• Administer contracts and manage certain on-site contractor activities
• Conduct and coordinate maintenance activities at wind farm facilities  such as road repair, snow removal, and related activities
• Support and maintain local public and landowner relations, addressing concerns at community, local governmental, and regulatory body meetings
• Maintain regulatory compliance with all operational federal, state, and local regulations and associated permits, including all applicable safety, health, and environmental regulations
• Work with VP of Operations to implement, manage, update, and maintain wind farm procedures, site policies, training programs, and work practices, and develop and administer approved safety programs and related equipment
• Oversee and administer site computer hardware/software systems including the predictive maintenance and work asset management systems, such as SCADA
• Implement company procedures to assure compliance with internal controls
• Establish and monitor spare parts for turbines and related support infrastructure, and manage warehouse and inventory program
• Report wind farm generation, turbine performance, and maintenance issues to management
• Assist with the development, implementation, and compliance with established operating budget.

Wind site and plant managers have a deep knowledge of wind turbine design, system operation, system, subsystem, and component diagnosis and repair. They are familiar with environmental safety and health requirements for confined spaces, electrical and elemental exposure, working at heights, chemicals and lubricants, and mechanical procedures. They have an understanding of resource monitoring systems as well as grid monitoring systems and environmental management plans.

Additionally, wind plant managers should possess the following skills:

• Communication skills. Wind plant managers must have strong oral and written communication skills in order to build and maintain relationships with on-site personnel, company executives, and local community members and agencies. They must also provide status and issue reports at the wind plant in a clear manner so that appropriate responses can be coordinated.
• Detail oriented. Wind plant managers must monitor complex controls and intricate machinery to ensure that everything is operating properly.
• Dexterity. Wind plant managers must use precise and repeated motions when working in a control room.
• Interpersonal skills. Wind plant managers must have excellent interpersonal skills so they can work with other managers, technicians, and contractors. They also must establish positive relationships with local community members, and regulatory agencies.
• Management and leadership skills. Wind plant managers should be able to successfully lead and manage personnel and plant operations.
• Mechanical skills. Wind plant managers must know how to work with machines and use tools. They must be familiar with how to operate, repair, and maintain equipment.
• Physical strength and stamina. Wind plant managers may be required to climb turbine towers in excess of 80 meters tall, lifting heavy equipment, and performing other physical tasks.
• Problem-solving skills. Wind plant managers must identify and quickly solve problems that arise with equipment or controls, ensuring that wind energy production is minimally interrupted.
• Safety awareness. Wind plant managers should have a heightened sense of safety awareness, continually assessing and mitigating risks for themselves and their employees. While performing the duties of this job, workers are regularly exposed to situations such as moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; particulate matter; and outside weather conditions.  The employee may be exposed to risks of electrical hazards and hazardous chemicals.
• Vision. Wind plant managers require specific vision abilities including close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Work remotely. Wind plants are often in remote locations. Wind plant managers should be comfortable performing duties independently and remotely.

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Site/Plant Manager