Civil Engineering Manager, Wind Energy

Civil Engineering Manager - San Diego, Boston or Portland ME

First Wind is an independent North American wind energy company focused exclusively on the development, ownership and operation of wind energy projects. Working in partnership with communities, First Wind provides revenue to states and towns while protecting the environment for future generations. Wind energy isn't just our business. It's our passion.

First Wind has been developing wind energy projects since 1995. First Wind's current focus is on developing wind farms in the northeastern and western regions of the U.S. including Hawaii. Please see our website for more information.

The Opportunity

Working in First Wind's San Diego, Boston or Portland ME office, you'll join an elite group of seasoned wind power development professionals in the critical "proof of concept" phase of the development/construction process in the US.

As Civil Engineering Manager you'll be responsible for the engineering review and evaluation of multiple prospective wind project sites to determine constructability and estimate construction costs. Your broad civil engineering background in site selection, geotechnical evaluations, foundations, road construction, and real estate development will all come into play as you lead the process of vetting prospective wind development projects.

You'll be tasked with answering the question, "Does this project pencil from an engineering/constructability standpoint?" The day to day activities have a wide degree of variety involving multiple projects simultaneously. This position requires 25% to 30% travel.

Primary Responsibilities

Site Evaluation

• Personally visit all prospective wind farm sites to identify and assess the engineering concerns, site access, topography, soil/foundation requirements, drainage, and potential property owner concerns.
• Consult ALTA surveys to ascertain improvements, easements, rights of way, and review surveyor's report.
• Create an individual site constructability evaluation plan for the project.
• Define a preliminary budget for the costs of conducting third party engineering assessments, soil samples, access requirements and time frames to complete evaluation process.
• Develop project plan proposal including timing, staffing, equipment, and more for the engineering phase of project execution.
• Lead third party transportation review of all projects and develop a transportation plan to identify all needed off-site road and access improvements. Ensure that site access is secured through the land acquisition group.
• Develop transportation plans to support permitting efforts where required.

Project Management

• Manage multiple wind development evaluation projects simultaneous. Regularly evaluate current projects, their viability and priority making adjustment in allocation of time and resources.
• Direct third party engineering review of engineering aspects including road grading/construction/drainage, Geotechnical investigation, foundation design, wind resource and turbine micro-siting. Manage local construction permitting, site access for construction and landowner access issues.
• Coordinate external bidding process required to procure civil and geotechnical engineering services for the project.
• Work with First Wind legal department supporting their negotiations and functions as requested.
• Working in conjunction with a Project Manager, take primary responsibility for reviewing and providing scopes of work for civil, structural and construction permitting for EPC contracts, project engineering, procurement and construction budgets. Closely monitor expenses against budgets establishing and monitoring critical benchmarks for "go/no go" decisions.
• Participates in regularly scheduled project meetings to assess and facilitate civil engineering process. Reports to management and accounting on an on going basis.
• Responsible for direct supervision, development and evaluation of engineers assigned to Civil Engineering Group.

Transition to Construction and Operations

• Responsible for smooth hand off from engineering evaluation phase to construction team as a completed project plan.
• Serve as primary civil engineering resource in all phases of project development, construction and operations.
• Manage engineering support for final permitting, general/ sub-contractor scope of work definition, bidding and independent engineering reviews of projects.
• Oversees work product of internal and external engineers' assigned to projects.

Primary Requirements:

• 7 + years Civil Engineering design/construction of large industrial projects
• 5+ years Civil Project Management responsibility for large projects in excess of $50M.
• Demonstrated engineering expertise and/or design ability with large industrial foundation design/construction, road construction, geotechnical investigations, and drainage assessments.
• Proven ability to create preliminary construction evaluation budgets and projections.
• Documented track record of successfully handling multiple projects at various stages of development with rising and falling priorities simultaneously.
• High energy level and positive "can do!" attitude.
• Ability to travel to and physically navigate rugged and remote wind farm sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• 2 + years experience in wind power and/or construction project management.
• Full scope raw land real estate/industrial construction development background .
• Utility grade power plant or oil & gas construction engineering or construction project management experience.

Educational Requirements

• BS Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, or Construction Management from an accredited university. Master's preferred.
• P.E. license certification and/or PMP considered a plus.

Compensation

• $90-$115K/year commensurate with experience and education.
• Full benefits and bonus eligible

To Apply:

Reply in Confidence to First Wind's Contracted Recruiter, Golden Triangle Connections.

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all skills and working conditions. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of those principal job elements essential for making fair pay decisions about the job. In no event shall the job description be construed to represent a contract of employment. The Company maintains "at-will" employment, where either party is free to dissolve the relationship at any time.