Battery Storage (BESS) General Foreman

About the Company

Irby Construction Company has been building infrastructure for the power industry for more than 75 years. Our business values and performance-driven mindset guide our actions. Our approach to work starts with safety, puts people first, seeks to innovate, and promises to perform. Irby is proud of its inclusive work environment, family-oriented culture, excellent benefits, and clear pathways for career growth. We strive to provide every employee with clear expectations and opportunities for advancement. Many of our executive leaders started with Irby early in their careers and in the field. When you join our team, you join an established firm with a culture centered around its people. Teamwork is how we work, and pride is ever-present inside our offices and among our crews. Irby Construction is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Quanta Services, providing the stability and resources of a Fortune 500 organization (NYSE: PWR).

About the Role

Battery Storage (BESS) General Foremen at Irby Construction Company must possess a minimum of five (5) years of experience in Battery Storage (BESS) construction, with at least two (2) years of continuous experience as a General Foreman. This role requires directing multiple crews across an assigned region and in-depth knowledge of OSHA, NESC (National Electrical Safety Code), and applicable utility owner safety standards. Demonstrated experience with BESS equipment—including power transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, bus structures, grounding systems, and protection and control (P&C) wiring—is required. This position is located in the Greater Austin area.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Construction Duties:
  • Attend pre-construction meetings with PM/Estimator.
  • Provide technical assistance, interpret drawings, and recommend construction methods and equipment.
  • Review and understand the entire bid package and overall electrical scope of work.
  • Generate lists of required personnel, equipment, and tooling.
• Construction Duties:
  • Ensure quality of work meets project specifications.
  • Coordinate billings with owner representatives and Superintendents.
  • Monitor equipment use, storage, servicing, damage, rentals, fuel reports, and tool inventories.
  • Direct field installation of BESS battery racks, module connections, DC bus assemblies, and enclosure terminations per OEM manuals and project specifications.
  • Maintain daily crew timesheets and verify accurate documentation of hours and equipment used.
  • Gather feedback from owner’s inspectors on quality, safety, schedule, and materials.
  • Coordinate major project activities, including critical tasks and schedule updates.
  • Maintain daily construction logs, manpower reports, and equipment utilization records.
  • Verify as-builts and progress charts are up to date.
  • Coordinate with utility owners and engineering teams for equipment commissioning, startup, and energization.
  • Oversee installation of BESS equipment, including enclosures, inverters, power conversion systems (PCS), DC cabling, and battery management systems (BMS) in compliance with OEM specifications, project drawings, and NFPA 855.
  • Coordinate with BESS OEM vendor representatives and commissioning engineers during factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), and system energization.
  • Enforce BESS-specific safety protocols, including thermal runaway prevention, DC arc flash boundary compliance, and emergency response plans per NFPA 855 and utility owner safety requirements.
  • Maintain a journal (Green Log Book) of major events and documentation from owners (e.g., delays).
  • Ensure all change-orders are documented and billed to the owner before work begins.
  • Monitor units completed versus proposed or bid.
  • Review final billing to ensure all items are billed.
  • Coordinate personnel and equipment transfers from the project.
• General Duties:
  • Arrange and/or participate in weekly foremen and monthly safety meetings.
  • Participate in monthly job safety review meetings.
  • Accountable for cost, progress, and schedule for the duration of the project.
  • Assist with monthly forecasts by the 10th of each month.
  • Ensure compliance with the safety program and review all accidents.
  • Mentor, develop, and evaluate craft personnel to support professional growth and workforce development.

Requirements

• Adheres to all Company Safety and Health Policies.
• High school diploma or GED required; technical or vocational degree preferred.
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction certification required; OSHA 10-Hour minimum.
• Working knowledge of NESC, OSHA 29 CFR Part 1926, and applicable utility owner safety standards.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including one-line diagrams, protection and control schematics, grounding plans, and equipment layout drawings.
• Knowledge of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) construction, including battery enclosure installation, DC electrical systems, inverter and PCS setup, and integration with utility-scale substation and BESS infrastructure.
• Familiarity with NFPA 855 (Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems) and applicable IEEE standards for energy storage system installations.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Willingness to travel and stay out of town as required by the project.
• Typical work weeks are 4-10 hour shifts or 5-10 hour shifts; availability for overtime and extended work periods.
• May work in storm restoration operations to rebuild and/or repair damaged power systems.
• May attend training classes or seminars for new processes, safety regulations, or refresher training.
• Ability to walk and work across uneven terrain.
• Climbing on and off large trucks and equipment.
• Must be able to work outside 100% of the time in inclement weather, including heat, cold, rain, and snow.
• Able to lift in excess of 50 pounds on a daily basis.
• Willingness to work off the ground in man baskets; normal working heights are 20’-60’, with the possibility of working at 120’ heights.
• Ability to work around energized systems.

Benefits

• Paid vacation.
• Paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• 401K retirement plan.