Solar Operations & Maintenance Vegetation Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title: Solar O&M Vegetation Manager

Reports To: Regional Manager Solar Operations

Direct Reports: No Functional Unit: Asset Management & Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt Position Type: Full-Time

Office Location: Remote

Location: Eastern Region

THE COMPANY

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 6.2 GW of utility-scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our Vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our Mission is that as North America’s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our employees, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation. Corporate Offices in Denver, New York and Charlotte, we are where renewable meets reliable. See www.onwardenergy.com for more information.

THE CHALLENGE

This position reports to the Solar O&M Manager. The Solar O&M Vegetation Manager will manage the various components of the PV power plant vegetation management program as they relate to day-to-day maintenance at PV plant sites. This overall objective will be achieved by meeting the following plant objectives: health and safety performance, environmental stewardship, employee training and development, quality control, work management system, performance management, vegetation maintenance, evaluation of reliability improvements and technology, process development and oversight, budget development including oversight and adherence.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the highest level of health and safety practices.
• Ensure a safe work environment by strict adherence to company protocols.
• Attend, train, and participate in and pass all assigned training in safety, environmental and other areas as assigned.
• Responsible for personal safety, quality, and schedule adherence.
• Comply with Job Hazard Analysis, Pre-Job Brief, and Lock-Out-Tag-Out procedures.
• Understanding of electrical safety and arc flash standards.

• Responsible for all plant personnel, policies, and programs. Examples include employee morale, staffing levels, training efforts, and safety issues.
• Create training programs to address skill gaps in employees.
• Assists in the hiring of site personnel and conducts employee performance reviews based on job descriptions to determine the competency, knowledge, and contribution of the site maintenance personnel.
• Ensures compliance with environmental and NERC standards and applicable governmental regulations.
• Ensure adherence to company and department policies and procedures.
• Responsible for operating the Plant within an approved budget.
• Provide input for material and parts forecasting for corrective and preventive maintenance.
• Maintain accurate timekeeping for associates.
• Ensures compliance with all contracts including LGIA, CUP, and PPA contracts to protect the long-term interests of the company.
• Plan, organize, and manage the operation of company-wide vegetation management programs
• Primarily directs the development of unit-based quantification of vegetation management program
• Performs repairs and maintenance on equipment used in performing vegetation management including but not limited to tractors, mowers, skid steers, weed eaters, sprayers, saws, and other equipment as necessary.
• Incorporates routine spraying and chemical treatment into the overall management program.
• Direct and oversee service contracts concerning VM. Monitor work quality and quantity, and compliance
• Monitor contractors’ work associated with substation and R/W mowing, chemical application, and other VM-related activities
• Plan for future requirements and staffing needs with respect to our VM program(s).
• Manages the plant programs based on best practices in the PV industry, with an emphasis on planning/scheduling and preventive/predictive maintenance.
• Monitors and manages the use and inventories of spare parts, maintenance supplies, equipment, tools, and reordering as necessary.
• Manages the use of the CMMS at