High-Voltage Safety Specialist

Job Description

Recurrent Energy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Canadian Solar Inc. and is one of the world's largest and most geographically diversified utility-scale solar and energy storage project development, ownership, and O&M platforms. Recurrent Energy is focused on bringing low-cost clean energy and meaningful economic development to communities across the globe.

With a strong track record of originating, developing, financing, and building nearly 9 GWp of solar and 3 GWh of battery storage power plants across six continents, Recurrent Energy has established a leadership position in both solar and battery storage project development. With a total pipeline of 25 GWp in solar and 47 GWh in battery storage, of which 14 GW and 12 GWh respectively already have interconnections (as of January 31, 2023). In addition, Recurrent Energy’s services business has 6 GW of projects under operations and maintenance contracts, either operational or contracted projects.

Description Summary: High-Voltage Safety Specialist

This is a HSE position in managing the safe operation of solar plant (and battery Storage) medium and high-voltage electrical equipment, with a strong focus on control systems and circuitry for substation requirements. You will play a key role in training and supporting plant staff, investigating electrical incidents and fostering a culture of safety and excellence within our Operations and Maintenance team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist O&M personnel in safe work practices during diagnosis of malfunctions in medium and high-voltage systems or failure of equipment, supports the writing and evaluation of current work practices for MV and HV applications to include substations and field operations equipment.
• Assists O&M personnel by providing guidance, and safe work practices when performing preventive maintenance and corrective repair of medium and high-voltage systems and operational equipment and other types of preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Evaluates safe work practices are being utilized during system outages and maintenance.
• Evaluates safe work practices are being utilized during change-out of circuit breakers.
• Capable of coaching and mentoring field operations personnel in safe work practices.
• Evaluates safe work practices switching and troubleshooting of distribution systems.
• Interfaces with O&M and subcontracting personnel in support of best work practices.
• Ensures that all HSE inspections and reports of audits, observations are accurate and complete.
• Responds to or assists with emergency situations. This includes being available to travel as necessary.
• Completes required reports, investigations and other paperwork.

Supervisory Responsibilities

An HV Safety Specialist holding the advanced grade of High-Voltage HSE Supervision is additionally responsible for the following:

• Coordinates and supervises the high-voltage activities in compliance with Good Utility Practice and contractual requirements and/or as directed by the HSEQ Manager/Director.
• Assists the Operations Manager(s) with department employee related personnel issues, discipline and performance evaluations.

Fundamental Qualifications

• Familiarity with Good Utility Practice.
• Familiarity with Utility Switching Orders and/or Switching Bulletins.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and schematics.
• Ability to understand and follow customary instructions in order to perform the essential functions of the position in a safe and satisfactory manner.
• Ability to perform Root Cause Analysis, interviews, and intricate incident investigations. Ability to deal with problems involving several variables, personnel and contractors. Ability to work proactively, identifying key fundamental and underlying issues before they become accident prone.
• Ability to speak effectively in front of groups of customers or employees of the Company.
• Ability to interact effectively with management, peer and subordinate personnel.
• Ability to plan and supervise the work of others, thereby coordinating project HSE operations and work efficiency.

Technical Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Ability to work in mechanically and electrically oriented situations.
• Successful completion of all training, education courses and/or skill level testing required by the Company for entry into the position.
• Ability to read and understand schematics and other electrical and civil drawings pertaining to the job.
• Knowledge of electrical distribution systems for switching and troubleshooting. Ability to detect defects in the high-voltage and electrical systems and to repair, adjust and/or appropriately report the problem.
• Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions for this position.
• Skill in the care and use of tools and equipment utilized for this position.

Licenses, Certificates, Registrations

• Must maintain a valid State driver's license.
• Other course certification(s) as deemed necessary by management.
• Certified Journeyman Electrician.
• Certified Switchman or Substation Technician.
• Up to date NFPA 70E Certificate.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; particulate matter and outside weather conditions.
• The employee is frequently exposed to risk of electrical shock.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to hazardous chemicals.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands or fingers handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
• The employee must be capable of lifting and/or moving up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to pass a physical exam and drug/alcohol screening.
• Must be able to work in extreme weather conditions.