Wind farms provide clean, renewable energy across the country. Developing and running them relies on the skills of wind energy project managers and operations managers. Wind energy project managers lead efforts to develop potential wind energy businesses, from conducting environmental studies, and writing business proposals, to applying for permits. Their plans factor in detailed schedules and anticipated costs. Once they have a green light to build, they may also manage project construction. Project managers may also negotiate a variety of agreements, such as tax savings, contracts to buy the wind power generated, or land use. They must know civil design, engineering and construction codes to ensure they meet government standards. Wind energy operations managers oversee existing wind field operations. They may also need to negotiate wind farm contracts to ensure they continue to have buyers for the power they generate. They oversee equipment maintenance, hire and supervise employees, and ensure that safety policies are observed. Wind energy operations managers interact with a variety of stakeholders, from land owners and developers to utility reps and customers. Wind energy project and operations managers share similar education requirements: most jobs require a bachelor’s degree, although some require technical expertise and a certificate along with work experience, rather than a degree.
What they do:
Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.
On the job, you would:
Coordinate or direct development, energy assessment, engineering, or construction activities to ensure that wind project needs and objectives are met.
Manage wind project costs to stay within budget limits.
Lead or support negotiations involving tax agreements or abatements, power purchase agreements, land use, or interconnection agreements.
Business
management
accounting and economics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
building and construction
product and service development
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
reading work related information
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Resource Management
managing your time and the time of other people
selecting and managing the best workers for a job
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
use rules to solve problems
Math
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Persistence
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Initiative
Adaptability/Flexibility
Cooperation
You might use software like this on the job:
Project management software
Microsoft Project
Oracle Primavera Systems
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
bachelor's degree or associate's degree usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
$110,630
$53,380
$191,340
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