Field Services Team Leader - Oak Ridge Solar Project

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), a Fortune 500 company that's leading the charge in the global energy revolution. With operations spanning 14 countries, AES is committed to shaping a future through innovation and collaboration. Our dedication to innovation has earned us recognition as one of the Top Ten Best Workplaces for Innovators by Fast Company in 2022. And with our certification as a Great Place to Work, you can be confident that you're joining a company that values its people just as much as its groundbreaking ideas.

AES is proudly ranked #1 globally in renewable energy sales to corporations, and with $12.7B in revenues in 2023, we have the resources and expertise to make a significant impact as we provide electricity to 25 million customers worldwide. As the world moves towards a net-zero future, AES is committed to meeting the Paris Agreement's goals by 2050. Our innovative solutions, such as 24/7 carbon-free energy for data centers, are setting the pace for rapid, global decarbonization.

If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a cleaner, more sustainable future - we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in the global energy transformation.

At AES Clean Energy, we’re accelerating the future of energy, together, while transforming customer experience and delivering unique customer products and solutions. Field Services Team Leaders support our expanding teams locally and help grow our portfolio of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar+storage facilities while connecting the region to the broader Field Services network.

Safety First - Self-starter - Innovative Thinker - Driven by Excellence - Team Player - Accountable

If these characteristics describe you, join our team’s exciting journey!

A day in the life of the Field Services Team Leader will include, but is not limited to:

Lead and support the team of technicians in performing preventive & corrective maintenance and supporting ongoing construction activities. Plan, coordinate and manage the safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of field services to AES Clean Energy facilities and assist the Regional Field Services Manager in planning to meet regional maintenance obligations. Work closely with the Regional Manager, Engineering team, and others to remediate site issues and enhance the operating portfolio’s performance. Coordinate contractors engaged to support maintenance activities and ensuring AES Safety procedures are followed.

The successful candidate will have a depth of experience in the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of AC and DC electrical systems of varying types and voltages – experience working with PV solar systems, Battery Energy Storage systems, and substations. This position will be based in the Oak Ridge, LA area with occasional travel to attend to site and team needs in the Mid-Atlantic Region. This is a local position that will need to be located within 60 minutes of the project site.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead solar PV site, BESS, and substation operations and maintenance efforts, including advanced troubleshooting, in accordance with applicable safety and environmental obligations – Responsible for the Preventive and Corrective O&M activities assigned to the team.  
• Stop unsafe work, report and correct unsafe conditions or hazards – review and submit applicable accident / incident report.  Work with and support Regional Safety Committee.
• Working with Regional O&M Manager, provide performance and developmental leadership and feedback to the members of the region’s team (typically 4-8 technicians).
• Find opportunities for continuous improvement of O&M activities to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable delivery of field services.
• Support, or lead as necessary, warranty claims processes with EPC providers and equipment vendors.
• Ensure standard maintenance for vehicles and equipment and assist in addressing repair needs, coordinate usage of shared equipment.
• Schedule and implement site training and qualification efforts.
• Assist in third-party contractor and vendor identification and onboarding– develop work scopes and manage and schedule contractors as needed.
• Establish and maintain an annual on-call schedule and communicate that schedule as needed to internal and external parties; respond to “after-hours” emergency situations as necessary.
• Ensure timely, complete, and high-quality documentation related to O&M activities, including but not limited to service tickets, maintenance reports, switching orders, and safety-related documentation (such as JHAs/JSAs, Safe Work Permits, LOTO, Energized Electrical Work Permits, Excavation Permits, etc.).
• Work with Engineering to review investigation results and/or recommendations from OEMs and institute plant solutions/modifications, document through change management system.
• Ensure accurate tracking of inventory levels – initiate re-order of consumables and spare parts as needed.
• As needed, participate in the construction/commissioning of the facilities within the region to ensure a high-quality build, successful commissioning, timely project punch list closeout, and smooth transition of responsibility to the Operations team.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable safety and environmental requirements, regional and federal laws, and company policies.
• Stay abreast of applicable technical & safety standards and share with team.
• Facilitate effective communication for all activities using phone, email, and other business software such as our Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Perform/lead other duties and administrative tasks as assigned by Region Manager.

Skills and Qualifications

• Ability to lead a team and achieve goals. 3 years or more supervisory experience is a plus.
• Knowledgeable in the systems, processes and protocols guiding the operations and maintenance of industrial PV solar plants and electrical systems (OSHA standards, NFPA 70e, Lockout/ Tagout/ Grounding, etc.). Operation of SEL relays, Pad Mounted Switch Gear, Substation equipment, etc.
• Appropriate Electrical trade qualification with at least 3 years working on utility scale electrical systems.
• Experience working with utility scale PV systems required, Battery Energy Storage systems a plus. Experience with utility size PV Solar inverters: SMA Sunny Central (Kodiak), TMEIC, Sungrow.
• PV Array Tracker systems: ATI (V2, V2.5, V3).
• Competence with relevant computer systems including but not limited to SAP, DAS/SCADA, equipment-specific maintenance programs, and Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to lead a team and achieve goals with minimum direct supervision and high degree of self-motivation and reliance. 
• High degree of commitment to a quality safety culture and an incident-free work environment.
• NFPA 70E and OSHA 30 Certification strongly preferred.
• College degree in a related field a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret equipment/facility schematics, maintenance instructions, procedures/manuals, process/procedure documents.
• Personal values consistent with those of the AES:  Safety First, Highest Standards, and All Together.
• Ability to excel in a collaborative, multi-functional and geographically diverse organization.
• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
• Positive and professional work ethic.
• Detail oriented, high-energy, adept at problem solving and time management in sometimes high stress situations, highly organized.

Work Environment

• May be required to work around rotating and energized equipment, hazardous materials and chemicals.
• Occasionally requires lifting as appropriate to perform duties and responsibilities.
• Occasional non-standard work hours as required to maintain necessary plant readiness.
• Working outside in a normal solar power plant and/or office environment, including high/low ambient temperatures and high/low humidity areas, and possibly working at heights.
• Requires standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, twisting, climbing stairs and ladders, and entering plant equipment to access, inspect, or collect data on plant equipment.
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
• This position is REQUIRED to possess or be able to obtain a valid TWIC card within the first 90 days of employment.

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.