About the position
AES Clean Energy is currently seeking a Senior Specialist focused on supporting new site integration in the Remote Operating Control Centers for clean energy projects including solar, wind, and energy storage projects. This position focuses on activities that take place primarily during the commissioning, start-up, and turnover phase to COD and the early post-COD phases of the project. The role requires the ability to handle such activities on multiple high impact utility scale projects simultaneously and requires periodic travel to project locations and AES offices as needed. The goal of this position is to ensure a seamless transition from construction to operations of newly integrated (new construction or merger acquisitions) projects into the AES Clean Energy portfolio with concentrated focus on Control Center activities.
Responsibilities
- Responsible for coordinating various commissioning activities, maintaining excellent communications, and collaborating with a diverse cross-functional teams (OT/IT, ISO, utility, customer, field team, construction project manager, etc.) to ensure the successful integration of new sites into the Remote Operating Control Center.
- Responsible for compliance with all applicable NERC standards as it relates to control room operations.
- Responsible for understanding and complying with PPA and Interconnection Agreement pre-COD operating and reporting requirements.
- Responsible for developing and creating facility manuals and procedures for control center operators.
- Responsible for coordinating and conducting training for Remote Control Center Operators on new facility operating parameters, monitoring requirements, and reporting responsibilities.
- Responsible for developing and coordinating the test energy schedule with utilities.
- Ensuring all appropriate parties are always up-to-date with project evolutions, including key milestones and schedule changes thereof.
- Responsible for working with SCADA vendors and ensuring functionality of the SCADA meets AES Operations' expectations (graphics built correctly, alarms functioning as intended, validation of data, etc.).
- Overall responsibility of ensuring all operational readiness, turnover, and commissioning activities & obligations are complete, on time, and meet expectations for the Remote Operating Control Center.
- Assist and support as needed the various site tests, including capacity testing, availability testing, controls testing, etc.
Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree or equivalent technical skills/experience.
- 2+ years of professional experience in Wind and/or PV or 5+ years working in the power industry (preferably in the O&M field of the power industry).
- Experience in Solar+Storage or stand-alone energy storage (Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)).
- Experience working with control center personnel.
- Experience working in a control center as an operator is a plus.
- Familiarity with power plant SCADA or DCS systems.
- Experience working with grid entities such as TOP, SC, ISO, Off-takers, etc.
- Experience creating, editing, and documenting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Experience & familiarity with NERC Reliability Standards & Critical Infrastructure Protection.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize work.
- Confirmed project management skills and ability to maintain a high level of organization.
- Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), data entry, and data analytic tools/software. Experience using SAP is a plus.
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, including an ability to maintain calm and effective exchanges by all parties.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office bundle (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.)
Benefits
- Annual salary between $81,000 and $96,900.
- Annual bonus potential.
- Full range of medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
- 401(k) eligibility.
- Various paid time off benefits, including vacation, sick time, and parental leave.
