Associate OCC Operator

LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is forging an American energy future with integrity, innovation, and positive impact. Born in Texas in 2003, we own and operate over 30 utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage projects in local communities across the United States, totaling 4 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.

LRE continues to help meet increased U.S. energy demand through our robust pipeline of new projects every year. Domestic jobs and manufacturing are fundamental to our full-lifecycle approach to projects, along with a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the natural environment.

Job Summary:

The Associate OCC Operator (P1) supports the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of LRE’s renewable energy fleet from the 24/7 Operations Control Center. Working under general supervision and within approved procedures and operating authority, this role monitors plant and grid conditions, executes operating instructions, coordinates with internal and external entities, documents operational events, and supports response to normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions while complying with applicable NERC reliability standards, ISO/RTO rules and protocols, and interconnection requirements.

This is an associate-level development role. The operator is expected to complete assigned OCC training, demonstrate required competencies, and obtain applicable operator certification within established timelines.

Responsibilities:

Monitor wind, solar, and energy storage facilities using approved systems and tools, and promptly report abnormal or uncertain conditions.

Support the safe operation of generating facilities within established equipment ratings, facility limits, interconnection requirements, System Operating Limits, and approved operating procedures.

Receive, document, and carry out operating instructions from authorized internal and external entities under the direction of qualified OCC personnel and approved procedures.

Communicate plant conditions, outages, curtailments, communication issues, grid events, and emergency conditions to the appropriate personnel.

Direct and support site personnel and internal support teams during performance issues, service activities, and restoration efforts affecting facility availability or production.

Maintain accurate and timely operational logs, notifications, status updates, and shift-turnover information.

Follow applicable NERC, regional, ISO/RTO, company, safety, and cybersecurity requirements under supervision.

Maintain assigned training and certification requirements by completing internal and external training, competency evaluations, and professional development activities within established timelines.

Obtain PJM Generation Operator certification within six months of hire.

Work under general supervision, seek guidance when conditions are unclear or outside assigned authority, and escalate operational issues promptly.

Required Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED.
0-2 years of operational, utility, power plant, renewable energy, control room, military, industrial, or other safety-critical experience.

Basic proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications and other computer systems

Authorization to work in the United States and ability to satisfy applicable background, access, and compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in engineering, energy, operations, business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Experience in utility operations, power generation, a control room, dispatch, military operations, industrial operations, or another safety-critical environment.

Working knowledge of renewable generation, BESS operations, SCADA/EMS, NERC…