Facility Manager, Michigan

About the role

Apex Clean Energy is seeking an experienced Facility Manager to oversee the daily operations of our utility-scale solar farms in Michigan (Coldwater Solar). Reporting to the Director of Operations and working closely with internal and external stakeholders, this role is critical to the operational success of our asset.

Responsibilities

• Champion a strong safety culture, maintaining rigorous compliance with site health and safety plans.
• Work closely with Asset Management leadership to provide on-site supervision and oversight for the operation of the solar farm, and act as the principal on-site contact representing Apex Clean Energy.
• Ensure a safe work environment; implementing, managing, and monitoring safety programs while enabling teammates’ ability and awareness to work safely and stop work as required.
• Support driving the injury-free workplace culture by facilitating safe work habits, hazard recognition, risk assessment, peer to peer feedback, and proper use of human performance tools.
• Implement and maintain best practice operating and quality control procedures in coordination with OEM recommendations, Apex Clean Energy standards, and owner’s requirements.
• Monitor and provide oversight of the Operations and Maintenance Service Provider’s performance.
• Manage and coordinate all operations and maintenance activities for balance of plant assets within established operating guidelines to minimize lost production, maximize commercial availability, and ensure safety.
• Lead and develop the team to meet various obligations required
• Contract for site services such as electric, septic, waste removal, fire inspection, lawn mowing, etc.
• As required, select and supervise external service providers in relation to maintenance of roads, clearance of trees, security, metering, safety, etc.
• Provide routine visual monitoring of the electrical, structural, foundations, civil, laydown areas, crane pads, roads, fences, gates, met towers, communications and SCADA works.
• Perform visual inspections of the substation, collection system, padmount transformers, and junction boxes.
• Schedule and coordinate all planned and unplanned substation maintenance outages and repairs.
• Schedule and manage annual IR scans of padmount transformers, substation terminations and the balance of plant electrical system.
• Arrange to procure subcontractors, spare parts and/or consumables required for BOP Scheduled and Unscheduled Maintenance, including any specialty equipment needed.
• Prepare and maintain operations logs in sufficient detail to enable an accurate record and categorization of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, curtailment and other downtime events, their reasons or causes.
• Take receipt and maintain warehousing of all spare parts in accordance with the supplier’s recommendations.
• Maintain a positive working environment by maintaining discipline, morale, and employee relations.
• Facilitate daily, weekly, monthly and annual reporting in accordance with safety, environmental, operation, and regulatory requirements.
• Balance and support facility public relations and community interactions
• Maintain regulatory compliance with all Federal, state and local regulations and associated permits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 5 years of solar site manager experience and preferably 10 years of solar operations or utility experience
• At least 2 years of substation, collection, transmission equipment operation and maintenance experience
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills
• Exceptional planning and organization skills
• Strong communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership and relationship management skills in managing third party suppliers, contractors, and the public
• High attention to detail
• Ability to work proactively and productively with limited direct supervision and oversight
• NFPA 70E accredited
• Valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification
• Familiarity with NERC and other regulatory requirements
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software
• Proficient with mechanical and electrical troubleshooting and maintenance
• Willing and able to work with high workloads in stressful conditions and in physically demanding settings while maintaining professional and ethical behavior