Wind Energy Project Managers

Career summary

Wind energy project managers focus on the scope (size) of the wind farm, assigning tasks, determining schedules and costs, and setting goals and deadlines.

Wind energy project managers review potential new sites for wind energy farms. They read environmental studies and consult civil engineering surveys. They make sure proper permits are obtained.

Project managers review bids from different contractors to see what companies offer the best services for the best price. They review contracts and budgets to contain costs.

They coordinate all construction activities. They oversee contractors who transport and build the turbines and substations. They review documents and make regular inspections to ensure the work complies with laws and regulations.

Project managers also negotiate tax agreements and contracts. Project managers may have to work with private owners as well as local and state governments to negotiate the use of land and air.

Managers write detailed status reports during the building process. If needed, they make changes to forecasts, budgets, and schedules.

Related careers

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Architectural and Engineering Managers
• Construction and Building Inspectors
• Construction Managers
• Project Managers
• Wind Energy Operations Managers

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to wind energy project managers.

• Manage project costs to stay within budget.
• Direct activities such as engineering, construction, and energy assessment.
• Conduct tax and land use negotiations.
• Create plans that cover goals, tasks, schedules, and costs.
• Supervise consultants and contractors.
• Evaluate and develop the scope of projects.
• Make changes and update schedules, estimates, and budgets. Provide status reports to managers, owners, and project teams.
• Help other workers when applying for permits.
• Review proposals and bids.
• Prepare and maintain records and documentation.

Common work activities

Wind energy project managers perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Evaluate information against standards
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Get information needed to do the job
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Analyze data or information
• Schedule work and activities
• Use computers
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Develop and build teams
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Process information
• Document and record information
• Monitor and control resources
• Think creatively
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Guide, direct, and motivate others

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, wind energy project managers:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social interaction. They spend time talking to other managers, engineers, and technicians, but also spend time alone working on projects.
• Communicate with others by e-mail, phone, and in person. They also write letters and reports, but less often.
• Usually work as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• Are sometimes placed in conflict situations in which others may be upset or unpleasant.

Physical work conditions

• Mostly work indoors. Sometimes work outdoors, such as when visiting work sites.
• May travel to different work sites in a car, truck, or van.
• May share office space with others.
• Occasionally are exposed to loud sounds and distracting noise levels, such as when working near turbines.

Work performance

• Must be accurate when performing the job. Errors could push back project deadlines.
• Sometimes make decisions that impact a company's reputation.
• Make most of their decisions without talking to a supervisor first.
• May repeat the same mental tasks.
• Set their daily tasks and goals without talking to a superior first.
• Work in a moderately stressful atmosphere.
• Must meet strict deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a set schedule. However, this varies depending on project deadlines.
• Regularly work more than 40 hours per week.

Physical demands

Wind energy project managers frequently:

• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for wind energy project managers to be able to:

• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for wind energy project managers to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.

Skills and abilities

Wind energy project managers need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Understand written information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Use math and science

• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Manage the time of self and others.
• Decide how to spend money to get the work done and keep track of how the money was used.
• Obtain needed equipment, facilities, and materials and oversee their use.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study to consider

• Construction Management
• Energy Management and Systems Technology
• Project Management

Training

To work as a wind energy project manager, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree in a related field; and
• have several years of experience in the wind energy industry.

Education after high school

Most students prepare for this field by earning a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, business, or earth sciences. Because this job combines both technical and planning skills, taking courses outside your major to round out your training is important. This means that if you major in engineering, you should also consider minoring in business.

Consider participating in an internship with a wind power engineering firm while you are in college. An internship offers you a chance to apply what you have learned in the classroom to a work situation. It also allows you to build skills and make contacts with people in the field.

On-the-job training

Project managers typically have several years experience in the wind energy field, so they do not receive much formal training once hired.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Drafting
• Electronics
• Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

Wages

#Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for wind energy project managers. However, this occupation is part of the larger group called "all other managers." 

#Added these statements 11/1/16 cj.

Wages vary widely by employer and area of the country. Wages may also vary depending on the difficulty of projects and level of responsibility.

Benefits also vary by employer. Most wind energy project managers receive typical benefits. These include vacation, sick leave, and health insurance. 

National wage information is not available specifically for wind energy project managers. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other managers."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Engineering firms
• Utility companies

National outlook

Growth is expected to continue in the wind-power industry. This is due to the trend in government incentives and increased consumer interest. These incentives make wind power more affordable for individuals and businesses.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for wind energy project managers. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other managers."

Other resources

American Wind Energy Association 
1501 M Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
202.383.2500

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 
901 D Street SW, Suite 930
Washington, DC 20024
202.488.2200

US Department of Energy 
(Renewable energy information - wind energy)

US Department of Energy: Clean Energy Training Programs 

Wind Solar Alliance 

References

Career cluster

• Architecture and Construction

Career path

• Enterprising (Business Communications)

O*Net  occupation

• Wind Energy Project Managers (11-9199.10) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Superintendent, Construction (182.167-026) 

Holland occupational cluster

• Enterprising/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Business Professional