Lead Wind Technician

ALLETE Clean Energy is seeking a Lead Wind Technician for their Condon, OR wind farm. The role involves leading field activities, instructing on wind turbine maintenance, and ensuring safe operations of high-voltage systems. Responsibilities include managing day-to-day operations, developing procedures for continuous improvement, and maintaining relationships with stakeholders. The position requires hands-on work at the site, making it a non-remote job.
About the position

ALLETE Clean Energy (ACE) specializes in developing, acquiring, and managing clean and renewable energy projects. This position is based at our Condon wind farm, located in the Northcentral part of Oregon, in Gilliam County, just outside the City of Condon. For those looking for a rural setting, this wind farm is snuggled into the corner where the John Day River flows into the Columbia River, offering an abundance of diverse water activities. ACE operates 83 Mitsubishi 600 wind turbines that were originally commissioned in 2002 on this site. ACE is headquartered in Duluth, MN. As a Lead Wind Technician, you will be responsible for leading work activities and crew in the field for the assigned wind turbine project site(s) or work areas. You will instruct the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) service provider on wind turbine generator (WTG) maintenance and repair, ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the substation by assisting with high-voltage system maintenance and repair. This role requires high voltage electrical switching and operation of high voltage equipment such as pad-mount transformers. You will also ensure that road access to wind turbines and Balance of Plant (BOP) equipment is maintained, which may include heavy equipment operations such as front-end loaders. In addition to overseeing facility operations during normal and emergency conditions in accordance with company procedures, you will develop and implement procedures for managing day-to-day operations and maintenance that support continuous improvement. You will support the preparation of plans, reports, and other record-keeping documentation required by management, regulatory authorities, and other agencies to ensure compliance with all federal and state environmental, health, and safety rules and regulations, permitting, and operational requirements. Building and maintaining positive relationships with internal departments, landowners, external contractors, local and state authorities, and the general public will also be a key part of your role. You will provide necessary coverage for ad hoc duties as needed.

Responsibilities
• Lead work activities and crew in the field for the assigned wind turbine project site(s) or work areas.
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• Instruct O&M service provider on WTG maintenance and repair.
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• Ensure safe and reliable operation of substation by assisting with high-voltage system maintenance and repair.
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• Perform high voltage electrical switching and operation of high voltage equipment such as pad-mount transformers.
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• Ensure road access to wind turbines and BOP equipment is maintained, including heavy equipment operations such as front-end loader.
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• Work with management to ensure business objectives are met.
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• Oversee facility operations during normal and emergency conditions in accordance with company procedures to maintain a safe and efficient operation.
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• Develop and implement procedures for managing day-to-day operations and maintenance that support continuous improvement.
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• Support the preparation of plans, reports, and other record-keeping documentation required by management, regulatory authorities, and other agencies to ensure compliance with all federal and state environmental, health, and safety rules and regulations, permitting, and operational requirements.
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• Develop and maintain positive relationships with internal departments, landowners, external contractors, local and state authorities, and the general public.
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• Provide necessary coverage for ad hoc duties.

Requirements
• High School diploma or equivalent required, preference may be given to applicants that have completed a wind technician training program.
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• For an internal candidate, successful completion of all training, education courses and/or skill level testing required by the Company for Turbine Technician III level work.
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• For an external candidate, six years or more technical wind industry experience, OR in the absence of technical wind industry experience, ten years or more experience working with hydraulic, electrical, mechanical skills.
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• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
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• Must be able to meet the physical/mental/environmental demands of the position.

Nice-to-haves
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions for this and all of the other field and shop/warehouse job positions.
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• Skill in the care and use of regular and specialized tools and equipment utilized by all of the field and shop/warehouse job positions.
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• Capable of using personal computers (i.e., Windows environment, word processing and spreadsheet applications).

Benefits
• Equal opportunity employer with consideration for all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.