Solar Technician at Clearway Energy in Newburgh, NY

What The Role Is

Reporting to the Maintenance Manager, the Solar Technician is responsible for troubleshooting, maintaining, servicing, and repairing solar PV systems and associated equipment. The primary objective is to maintain safe, effective, efficient, and profitable solar PV operation.

This position will be supporting our assets in the Newburgh, NY, Shoreham, NY, New London, CT, and Bridgeport, CT area.

If you don’t meet 100% of the below qualifications but see yourself contributing, please submit your resume.

Pay Ranges by Job Level:

Technician Trainee ($50,000 - $60,000)

Solar Technician I ($54,000 - $77,000)

Solar Technician II ($62,000 - $88,000)

Solar Technician III ($88,000 - $107,000)

What You'll Be Doing

Trainee

• Follow safety procedures, observe safe working practices, and maintain a safe working environment under direct supervision.
• Shadow and assist experienced technicians in the performance of PV systems and electrical component maintenance.
• Maintain hand tools in good working order and well organized.
• Operate and maintain a service vehicle.
• Work a flexible on-call schedule when needed. This may include weeknights, weekends, and holidays.
• Demonstrate a strong willingness to learn and accept guidance from supervising technicians and site leadership.
• Must pass an advancement exam and oral board upon training program completion within six (6) months from hire.
• Other duties as assigned within the Trainee scope.

Level I

• Assists higher-level Technicians in performing troubleshooting, maintaining, servicing, and repairing solar PV systems and associated equipment.
• Performs other technical and administrative duties associated with operating and maintaining a power facility.
• Willingness to progress as a technician and take guidance from superiors.
• Helps in all areas of site operations as directed by the Site Lead and Site Manager with minimal supervision.
• Ensures work is performed in accordance with Environmental and Safety requirements.
• Must pass an advancement exam and oral board upon training program completion within six (6) months from hire.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the Level I scope.

Level II (Additions)

• Performs corrective, preventive, and emergency maintenance and operations for which they are qualified to safely and efficiently perform.
• Performs work independently and/or in work crews.
• Must pass an advancement exam and oral board upon training program completion within six (6) months from hire.
• Travel required as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the level II scope.

Level III (Additions)

• Executes routine electrical troubleshooting and repair, instrumentation calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Performs complex maintenance work such as distributed control systems and inverter troubleshooting as assigned by supervisor based on level of skill and ability.
• Completes work orders for the preventive maintenance management system.
• Performs corrective, preventive, and emergency maintenance on all PV Solar equipment.
• Prepares and implements switching and clearance orders, while working with the Operations Center.
• Operates all electrical and mechanical PV Solar power plant systems.
• Participates in training as required, JHA, PJB, LOTO documentation.
• Writes Plant Orders, Plant Procedures, Operating Instructions, and other documents as assigned by supervisor.
• Ensures work is performed in accordance with Environmental and Safety requirements.
• Must pass an exam and oral board upon training program completion within six (6) months from hire.
• Performs other duties as assigned within the level III scope.

What You'll Bring

Trainee

• A high school diploma or GED required, or willing to obtain within the first 6 months of employment.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Demonstrable mechanical aptitude; no prior electrical experience required.
• Able to safely work in a wide range of adverse climates and environments.
• Able to travel as required.
• Knowledge of and the ability to use various hand tools.
• Able to communicate verbally and in writing.
• Able to create, edit, or modify Microsoft Word and Excel documents.
• Ability to work overtime and non-standard working hours (nights, holidays, weekends), when needed.
• Professionalism and excellent communication skills.

Level I

• Possess demonstrable mechanical aptitude and basic electrical knowledge gained through direct work experience. Qualifying backgrounds include: electrical work in a construction trade, employment in a power generation or utility environment, or experience as a licensed or apprentice electrician. Able to work with electrical wires and differentiate between color-coded wires.
• Understanding of general workplace safety and the ability to follow safety standards, as well as help the company improve upon the standards in place.
• Ability to read schematics and wiring diagrams is preferred.
• Able to communicate verbally and in writing and able to work without direct supervision during performance of work.
• Able to meet the requirements of Clearway Energy Group’s Qualified Electrical Worker program.
• Knowledge of applicable safety and environmental regulations.
• Able to work both independently and as part of a multi-tasking team.

Level II (Additions)

• 1+ years of experience in a power plant or PV Solar O&M/EPC experience.
• 2+ years of field experience with significant I&E, I&C, and/or C&I Electrician experience will be considered in lieu of applicable solar experience.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical or mechanical fundamentals (single craft journeyman skills) such as electrical measurements, control circuits, and solid-state theory application.
• Basic knowledge of operational characteristics of equipment and associated control devices installed in power facilities.
• Possess demonstrable mechanical aptitude and basic electrical knowledge.

Level III (Additions)

• 4+ years of PV solar experience is required. I&E, I&C and/or C&I Electrician experience will be considered in lieu of applicable experience.
• Proven experience with a multitude of electrical/construction projects.
• Demonstrated knowledge of electrical or mechanical fundamentals (Journeyman skills) such as electrical measurements, control circuits, and solid-state theory application.
• Knowledge of complex analog and digital instrumentation and control systems.
• Proper methods for troubleshooting, repairing, and adjusting instruments and control systems.
• Experience administering safe methods to clear equipment, use of tools, and plant safety rules.
• Understanding reporting procedures and practices and maintenance procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of electrical and mechanical prints.
• Familiarity with PV Solar plant terminology and nomenclature.
• Qualified to perform routine and emergency operations at a solar generation facility and Switchyard.
• Able to communicate verbally and in writing and able to work without direct supervision during performance of work.
• Able to travel (approximately 5%).

What Would Be Nice

• 2-year technical degree or equivalent Journeyman certification/qualifications is preferred.

No visa sponsorship or any kind of sponsorship for employment authorization is available for this role, now or in the future.

#LI-Onsite

Clearway Energy Group is leading the transition to a world powered by clean energy. Along with our public affiliate Clearway Energy, Inc., our portfolio comprises approximately 11.6 GW of gross generating capacity in 26 states, including 9.1 GW of wind, solar, and battery energy storage assets, and over 2.5 GW of conventional dispatchable power generation providing critical grid reliability services. As we develop a nationwide pipeline of new energy projects for the future, Clearway’s operating fleet generates enough reliable electricity to power more than 3 million homes today. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Princeton, and San Diego. For more information, visit clearwayenergygroup.com.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
Clearway Energy Group’s vision is a world powered by clean energy. Along with our public affiliate Clearway Energy, Inc., our portfolio comprises approximately 11.8 GW of gross generating capacity in 26 states, including 9.1 GW of wind, solar, and battery energy storage assets, and over 2.8 GW of flexible dispatchable power generation providing critical grid reliability services. As we develop a nationwide pipeline of new energy projects for the future, Clearway’s operating fleet generates enough reliable electricity to power more than 2 million homes today. Clearway Energy Group is headquartered in San Francisco with offices in Denver, Houston, Phoenix, Princeton, and San Diego. For more information, visit clearwayenergygroup.com.

Working at Clearway, Hybrid Together
Here at Clearway, we’re committed to balancing flexibility while fostering strong relationships with our teammates. We do this by prioritizing corporate new hires based near one of our offices in San Francisco, San Diego, Scottsdale, Houston, Denver, & Princeton. Our office-based employees typically work together from fabulous spaces on Tuesdays & Thursdays to collaborate & learn, build community, get to know one another, & enjoy company-provided meals & events. Our site-based employees collaborate in-person daily to keep our locations operating safely and efficiently while fostering strong relationships within their local communities.

Clearway Energy is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience & expertise. We intentionally foster a culture of inclusion that empowers our employees to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities & protected veterans to join the team. Clearway is a proud promoter of employment opportunities for our Military & Veterans.

What We Provide
Clearway offers all eligible employees working 20+ hours per week a comprehensive menu of benefits: generous PTO, medical, dental & vision care, HSAs with company contributions, health FSAs, dependent daycare FSAs, commuter benefits, relocation, & a 401(k) plan with employer match, a variety of life & accident insurances, fertility programs, adoption assistance, generous parental leave, tuition reimbursement, & benefits for employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions & domestic partnerships. For more on Clearway benefits, visit our Benefits Website.

Notice to Applicants
Clearway Energy is strongly committed to a philosophy of equal opportunity and fully complies with equal employment laws, ordinances, and regulations for all applicants and employees. We will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to apply and compete for employment opportunities for which they are qualified. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@clearwayenergy.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

All official communication regarding this position will come only from an email address ending with @clearwayenergy.com. If you receive outreach from any other email address claiming to represent Clearway Energy, please do not respond, as it is fraudulent.

Notice to California Applicants
Clearway Energy is strongly committed to a philosophy of equal opportunity and fully complies with equal employment laws, ordinances and regulations for all applicants and employees.