Construction Manager

Ecotal; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ecotal is seeking an experienced Construction Manager to act as an owner’s representative on utility-scale solar and BESS projects across Ontario. You will oversee EPC work, maintain safety and quality records, and report progress to the owner weekly.

The role focuses on repowering, module replacements, and retrofit work, with field inspections, documentation, and commissioning oversight. Strong communication and knowledge of OHSA requirements are essential, along with the ability to travel

Qualifications

• 8+ years of construction experience with 3+ years on utility-scale solar, BESS, wind, substation, or similar electrical projects.
• Ability to read drawings and spot field problems in solar/BESS contexts.
• Knowledge of OHSA, Ontario Reg. 213/91, and inspection processes.
• Proven clear, direct communication and ability to document and report.
• Valid driver’s license and legal entitlement to work in Canada.

Responsibilities

• Oversee EPC field work on sites and verify alignment with drawings and specs.
• Review EPC schedule and progress data; maintain daily logs and weekly status reports to owner.
• Monitor safety practices, quality records, and raise concerns early.
• On repowers, supervise outages, isolation, and lockout/tagout procedures.
• Review EPC submittals, RFIs, change requests, and progress claims.
• Support commissioning and handover, witness tests, and track punch lists.

Skills

Construction oversight

Solar + BESS project experience

OHSA & Ontario regulatory knowledge

Clear communication

Driver's license & work eligibility in

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Construction Manager to act as an owner’s representative on utility-scale solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects. The owner’s EPC contractor builds the project and runs the site. You are the owner’s eyes and ears: you oversee the work, report on progress, and recommend improvements. Our current focus is solar repowering: module replacement, structural racking upgrades, and DC conductor and breaker replacement. The role also covers new-build solar and BESS and smaller retrofit work.

There are two sides to the job. On the field side, you inspect work, coach crews, and respond when something goes wrong. On the paperwork side, you keep the safety program, training records, and incident documentation current and defensible. Both matter.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Site oversight. Observe the EPC’s work on site and confirm it matches drawings and specs.
• Progress reporting. Review the EPC’s schedule and progress data. Keep daily logs and photos, and report status, risks, and open issues to the owner every week.
• Safety and quality. Observe the EPC’s safety practices and quality records. Raise concerns early.
• Operating sites. On repowers, watch outages, isolation, and lockout/tagout.
• Document review. Review EPC submittals, RFIs, change requests, and progress claims.
• Commissioning and handover. Witness key tests, track punch lists, and confirm turnover documents.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• 8+ years of construction experience, including 3+ years on utility-scale solar, BESS, wind, substation, or comparable electrical projects.
• Solid understanding of the solar and BESS construction sequence and of electrical systems through MV, with the ability to read drawings and spot problems in the field.
• Working knowledge of the OHSA, O. Reg. 213/91, and Ontario inspection processes.
• Clear, direct communication, clean reports, and the confidence to speak up.
• Valid driver’s license and legal entitlement to work in Canada.

NICE TO HAVE:

We will teach you the rest.

• Owner’s representative, owner’s engineer, or construction oversight experience
• Solar repowering or retrofit experience, or BESS construction experience
• PMP, P.Eng., C.E.T., or a construction management or engineering degree or diploma
• Working at Heights, JHSC Certification, Standard First Aid/CPR, and electrical safe work
• training (CSA Z462 or NFPA 70E)
• Experience with the local utility and IESO connection process
• Experience working with First Nations and Indigenous communities on project engagement
• Fluency in French, an asset on some Ontario projects

THE WORK ITSELF:

This is field work.This is site-based work at project sites across Ontario, outdoors year-round. On repowers, parts of the plant may be operating around you. Expect some long days, some weekends, and travel between sites and to owner and utility meetings.

Not sure you check every box? If you have real MV transformer time and you are careful with your hands and your paperwork, we want to hear from you.