Operations/Wind Turbine Technician

ATCO; Medicine Hat; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ATCO’s Forty Mile Wind facility near Medicine Hat, AB, seeks an Operations Technician responsible for directing work priorities, preventative maintenance, and technical support across wind, solar, and associated infrastructure. The role collaborates with Operations, Engineering, HSE, and Accounting to ensure safe, efficient facility operation and compliance with codes.

The position requires hands-on leadership, the ability to manage multiple asset classes, and readiness for on-call standby, with

Qualifications

• Electrical Technology Diploma or related certification.
• 5–7 years of related experience.
• Valid Alberta driver’s license (minimum class 5).
• Wind energy and/or solar industry experience preferred.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee inspections and maintenance of wind/solar assets and facilities.
• Supervise third-party electricians and technicians.
• Direct crew priorities and ensure safe, compliant operations.
• Coordinate with engineering, operations and HSE on projects and maintenance.
• Develop site-specific operating procedures and safety plans.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Leadership

Multi-tasking

Education

Electrical Technology Diploma

Electrician

Power Systems Electrician

Tools

MAXIMO

Job description

Description

The Operations Technician is primarily responsible for managing and directing work priorities and executing the required preventative/predictive maintenance and overall responsibility for the facility control. Maintains a good working knowledge of all electrical components and control systems and understands the principle of operation and control of all production and process facilities to provide technical assistance, remedial repair and the necessary record keeping.

Additional responsibilities regarding Operational excellence include the development and execution of SSOP’s, JHA’s, Safe Work agreements and following all Health, Safety and Environmental policies and objectives. Completion of all core training, EnPower Management System manuals and Standards or Code specific training.

This position works collaboratively with Operations, Administration, Operational Support, Engineering, Commercial Operations, HSE, Compliance, and Accounting.

All duties and responsibilities will be performed in accordance with established health, safety and environmental principles, corporate policies, practices and procedures and applicable government legislation.

The role is based out of the ATCO Forty Mile Wind facility close to Medicine Hat, AB and also covers the Empress Solar project. May be called upon to support other ATCO facilities as needed. Some periodic travel is required for training, corporate functions and site support beyond Forty Mile and Empress Solar facilities. Must be available on call for standby duty as designated, as well as being reasonably available to attend sites after normal working hours, when necessary.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibility Area #1 – General Operations

• Perform regular inspections of all facility equipment and assets, reporting findings to appropriate personnel for corrective actions. Including wind turbines, solar panels, solar trackers, solar inverters, civil infrastructure, facility buildings, vehicles, equipment, substation, metrological towers, etc.
• Maintain database of inspection records and corrective repair actions for all assets. Ensuring ensure all equipment records are kept current (MAXIMO), part inventories and replacements are maintained.
• Perform and direct multi-disciplined technicians and contractors performing, preventative maintenance, inspection, repairs and upgrades to facility equipment and assets. Including, civil, electrical, network, security, mechanical, HVAC, vegetation management, wildlife management, etc.
• Assist Facility personnel with troubleshooting, make recommendations that will improve and maintain plant efficiency, safety, and operations.
• Develop site specific procedures for all electrical equipment.
• Perform and direct others in the installation and maintenance of all high voltage electrical devices including completing electrical switching and isolation to ensure safe work for employees and equipment.
• Prepare, recommend, and implement site specific preventative maintenance program.
• Complete necessary repairs on all assets as needed.
• Physically and mentally fit to climb to heights greater than 100m, to perform inspection, maintenance and repair of wind turbine components, metrological towers, etc. as needed.
• Manage facility electrical drawings.
• Work with engineering and operations support personnel on O&M and capital projects.
• Participate in various internal and third-party audits.
• Champion for Warranty and claims with Vendor.
• Participate in Facility design reviews.
• Support and assist with MOC process.
• Monitoring Provincial Electrical Safety Codes. Inform Management of changes to the code and provide recommendations to ensure compliance to code.
• Be aware of maintenance costs to ensure facilities are on budget as set out in the business plan.
• Assist in the development of 3-year maintenance and business plans.

Responsibility Area #2 - Health, Safety and Environment

• Maintain the highest standard of safety by ensuring all policies and procedures are followed in relation to operations and maintenance tasks, ensure equipment is properly prepared for maintenance i.e. LOTO and provide suggestions and/or improvements to the above.
• Understand and follow emergency response plans, and participate in any training requirements.
• Conduct pre-job safety meetings and issuing of Safe Work Agreements.
• Conduct JHA’s and circulate for approval.
• Vetting of electrical SSOP · Work closely with the Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) group to ensure compliance with government and company regulations.

Responsibility Area #3 - Regulatory, Procedures & Standards

• Ensures compliance with the AESO rules, Canadian Electrical Code, Alberta Provincial Regulations, Code for Electrical Generation Facilities, Local Electrical Code requirements, and standard industry practice.
• Be an active Participant in EnPower measurement and integrity group. Ensure regulatory compliance with all required legislation.
• Perform and direct the writing and implementation of site-specific operating procedures and job hazard assessments related to electrical devices.

Responsibility Area #4 - Customer Service

• Assist in the Project Execution, Engineering and Construction groups with the review of proposed systems, changes to existing systems, and the electrical inspection of new facilities. Make recommendations for improvement to all groups.
• Work with engineering and operations personnel on O&M and capital projects.
• Provide industry leading customer service to ATCO’s external customers.
• Represent ATCO’s core values within the communities and industries we serve.
• Support all internal customers including Operations, Accounting, Engineering, Project Execution, and Commercial Operations.
• Maintains good company relations with landowners, service companies, customers, and government agencies.
• Assist Facility personnel with troubleshooting, make recommendations that will improve and maintain plant efficiency, safety and operations.

Responsibility Area #5 – Leadership

• Supervision of third-party Electrical Technicians or junior Technicians.
• Directs and supports the needs and priorities of the crew/operations group.
• Provide electrical training as required.
• Ensure ongoing performance contributes to Business Unit and organizational results.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Seeking individuals with one or more of the following certifications; Electrical Technology Diploma, Electrician, Power Systems Electrician or Instrumentation and Control Technician, Interprovincial Journeyman Status preferred.
• Wind Energy and/or Solar Industry and/or Substation operation experience preferred.
• 5 to 7 years of related experience is a minimum requirement.
• Must have a valid Alberta operator’s license (minimum class 5).
• Completion of all required training modules and on-the-job training as identified in department progression standards.
• Advanced knowledge of current on-site electrical equipment and associated systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task.

We would like to thank everyone for their application; however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a Security Clearance Check.

ATCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.