Facility Manager (m/w/d)

Apex is seeking experienced Facility Manager to oversee daily operations of our utility‐scale solar farms in Michigan (Coldwater Solar). As the single point of contact for Apex at the site level, this position is critical to the operational success of our asset.

Reporting to the Director of Operations and working closely with internal and external stakeholders, the Facility Manager will manage all operations and maintenance activities for balance of plant assets within established operating guidelines for the site. This role will oversee the designated OEM operations and maintenance related contract and agreements, facilitate daily, weekly, monthly and annual reporting in accordance with safety, environmental, operation, and regulatory requirements, and monitor facility performance in relations to its site specific power curve while reporting any anomalies. The Facility Manager is also expected to represent the company locally via engagement with landowners and community stakeholders.

Our ideal candidate will come into this role with their NFPA 70E and at least five years of experience in a directly related role managing substation, collection, and transmission equipment operation and maintenance.

• Hours: Full Time
• Type: Exempt
• Department: Asset Management
• Travel: 25%
• Office Location: On-Site at our solar farm Coldwater (Branch County)

Qualifications

Primary 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.
• Ensure 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. Examples include, but are not limited to, traveling, participation with climbing, medium and high voltage switching, grounding and O&M, harsh temperatures, extreme driving conditions, various 24/7 working hours, and supporting other business units and locations as needed.
• Ability and willingness to respond to plant operational needs on a 24/7 basis including travel and time commitment as needed.
• Valid driver’s license and clean record of responsible driving
• Strong passion for renewable energy
• Location: Must reside within 50 miles of the facility’s O&M building near Coldwater

Additional Information

Work Environment

Works in both an indoor office environment and an outdoor environment, occasionally at night which may be subject to inclement weather. Extended hours may be required to complete scheduled repairs.

How You’ll Grow

At Apex Clean Energy, our professional development plans focus on helping people at every level of their career to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there’s always room to learn. We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the dynamic, fast-paced renewable energy industry. From on-the-job learning experiences to a robust multi-week onboarding experience to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their career.

What Apex Can Offer You

At Apex Clean Energy, we know that great people make a great company. We value our people and offer employees a broad, best-in-class range of benefits.

• A mission-driven, energetic environment that supports and encourages our people to do their best work every day.
• A respect for and celebration of individuality, differences, and uniqueness
• Collaborative and driven professional workforce committed to supporting your ideas and feedback and accelerating your potential
• Ongoing support and guidance such as on-the-job learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship
• Training, strategies, and tools to support your personal and professional growth
• Team atmosphere of diverse professionals committed to making an impact as an organization
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to our local communities
• Exceptional benefits such as medical and dental; 401(k) with corporate match
• Base and bonus commensurate with experience
• Responsible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays
• Benefits Offered: comprehensive high-deductible health plans, dental and vision insurance plans, short-term and long-term disability, group life insurance, 401(k) corporate matching, flexible spending arrangements, company paid parking and cell phone, fitness and wellness corporate discounts

Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.