The Penn Group of Companies (Penn) is currently seeking a qualified candidate to fill the Monitoring Technician position for Penn Energy Renewables, ULC.
Description
The Monitoring Technician is required to primarily monitor and control the SCADA facilities from the Penn Operation Control Centre (Penn OCC) in Uxbridge ON. Penn owns and operates eight utility-scale solar farms in Ontario and the United States. Each property consists of a utility-scale solar power-generating facility (solar farm) and also surrounding land that is also owned by Penn. The properties are located in Southern ON and Rutland VT. In addition, any future facilities that are constructed, acquired, or purchased into its portfolio will be included. This position is expected to perform its duties to the PENN OCC standards.
Reporting
The Monitoring Technician position reports to the Director of Technical Services.
Location
The position shall be based at the Roseplain Solar Farm (Uxbridge, ON). Training or other work-related tasks may occasionally require the position to report to other locations for very short durations.
Primary Work Duties
- Monitor the operation, performance, communication, security, and weather of all sites.
- Monitor the solar sites’ production, trends, and outputs, as well as operating and controlling the equipment on site.
- Review and compare site trends and performance issues.
- In the future, monitor a battery storage site when available in the portfolio.
- Act proactively and investigate to any unplanned event or production loss.
- Create work orders for unplanned events that require further investigation.
- Work with the Engineer and Technicians to create and review switching orders, conduct site curtailments, schedule preventative maintenance, and plan any shutdowns or startups of the facilities.
- Coordinate planned events with internal and external resources.
- Be the lead for the module snow removal procedure/planning.
- Prepare various operations and performance reports.
- Communicate with the PENN Team, HONI OCC (Hydro One Networks Inc. Operation Control Centre), or other individuals involved in the O&M program
- Document/log access to the sites.
- Be the contact for any field related emergency response situations.
- Be familiar with HONI procedures and any regulatory requirements for the different Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) contracts.
- Maintain friendly and cooperative “good neighbour” relations with neighbouring landowners, municipality representatives, and the community.
- Attend training to improve skills, knowledge, and to better your personal experience for the position.
- Complete any other duties as assigned and duties may be adjusted by the company at its sole discretion.
Required Skillsets
- Ability to follow step by step procedures.
- Ability to work in a safe manner by following health and safety policies and procedures and attending training for the position.
- Ability to work independently and with others in a team setting.
- Strong verbal and written communication and grammar skillsets.
- Ability to interpret drawings.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and time management skills.
- Ability to proactively assess a system outage and invoke a plan of response.
- Ability to proactively monitor the site maintenance plans.
- Attention to detail is paramount.
- Strong computer skills in MS office, MS Project, asset management systems, and SCADA.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality.
- Must have a valid G class driver’s license.
Professional Experience
- The Monitoring Technician role will have a college degree in an electrical field or;
- Minimum 3 years’ required experience in using SCADA control systems or data analysis programs, ideally in an electrical environment and;
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in energy systems analysis and site performance would be an asset.
Hours of Work
- The Monitoring Technician position is a full-time position, Monday to Friday, with a ½ hour unpaid lunch. There may be adjustments to schedule or start times as this position develops.
- The position also includes an on-call component involving remote monitoring and triage of alarms.
- Must be able to work shifts as the program develops.
- Be available for unplanned call in, or scheduled events.
Work Location: In person
