BESS High Voltage Technician
The BESS High Voltage Technician is responsible for supporting planned maintenance outages and responding to on-call, unplanned outages across renewable energy project substations and collection systems. This role requires strong knowledge of electrical safety, switching, and Lock Out / Tag Out (LOTO) procedures, along with hands-on experience troubleshooting and restoring high-voltage systems to service.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform planned maintenance and respond to unplanned outages within renewable energy substations and collection systems
- Lead by example in the field, training technicians on LOTO, electrical safety, and best work practices
- Review Arc Flash studies, one-line diagrams, schematics, mechanical drawings, equipment manuals, and technical documentation
- Develop, verify, and execute switching and maintenance procedures for high-voltage maintenance, testing, and operations
- Perform and support troubleshooting and return-to-service evolutions for substation and collection system equipment
- Safely work in and around energized substations, transmission lines, and collection systems (up to 500 kV)
- De-energize equipment and safely discharge stored energy to troubleshoot issues down to the component level (e.g., motors, relays, coils)
- Locate and repair underground cable faults using HV thumpers, TDR, Megohm meters, and VLF testing equipment
- Perform preventative and predictive maintenance in accordance with OEM and NETA standards
- Operate and interpret test equipment including Power Factor, SFRA, TTR, DLRO, circuit breaker analyzers, vacuum bottle testers, SF6 analyzers, and Megohm meters
- Perform IR (thermography) scans and prepare reports with findings and repair recommendations
- Conduct facility and asset inspections, transformer oil sampling, battery maintenance, and testing
- Author, verify, and execute switching orders and procedures
- Identify, maintain, and properly use required safety equipment (grounds, hot sticks, meters, etc.)
- Coordinate and schedule outages with customers and internal teams
- Maintain a strong safety mindset and actively support EHS culture
- Train and mentor developing technicians in electrical safety and equipment maintenance
- Safely operate additional equipment including man lifts, bucket trucks, forklifts, and aerial platforms
- Travel as needed for training or to support other project sites
- Participate in on-call rotations
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- Minimum 2+ years of experience in high, medium, and low voltage maintenance and testing of electrical power equipment
- Experience installing, maintaining, testing, and repairing:
- Circuit breakers
- Transformers
- Switchgear
- Air switches
- URD and XLPE cable systems
- Proven ability to troubleshoot distribution and transmission control circuits
- Experience leading electrical investigations and performing root cause analysis
- Ability to read, interpret, and validate protection, control, and wiring schematics
- Strong understanding of customer and engineering standards, with the ability to identify design issues
- Experience performing substation and collection system switching
- Ability to operate required testing equipment independently
- Ability to function as an on-site lead: scheduling work, assigning tasks, and interfacing with customers
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Knowledge of applicable electrical codes, IEEE and IEC standards
- Knowledge of Ontario Health and Safety Act (where applicable)
- Strong interpersonal, leadership, and critical-thinking skills
Additional Requirements
- Ability to pass pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check
- Willingness to work overtime and travel out of town as needed
- Physically able to climb ladders, stand for extended periods, and lift up to 70 lbs
- Valid driver’s license with the ability to maintain a clean driving record
- Ability to reside or relocate within one hour of the assigned project site
Benefits
- Competitive compensation
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with employer match
- Paid holidays and vacation time
- Career Growth Opportunities within Wind, Solar, and BESS sectors
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Continuous Professional Development Support