Wind Power Development Manager - Pacific Hydro

Role and tasks:
To identify and develop wind energy projects and manage the wind development team. This ranges from meetings with landholders (farmers generally), town planning applications, environment effects statements, resource analysis, management of consultants and financial modelling.

Qualifications and experience:
Having identified the Codrington wind farm site and applied for and received the town planning permit for its construction. Essentially I was in the right place at the right time. I have degrees in applied science and engineering as well as certificates in renewable energy.

What do you look for in job seekers?
For my staff (let alone myself) the primary characteristics are a passion for renewable energy, understanding of triple bottom line, honesty, integrity and usually an engineering degree (preferably environmental engineering). Project development and project management is advantageous especially if in renewable energy.

What is your advice for job seekers?
Think laterally and don't get disheartened. It took me 7 years to get this job. I had to go back to Uni and get an engineering degree, work offshore in oil and gas for a couple of years then in an Aluminium Smelter for a year before I got this job and I only got it because I went out and put my life savings on the line trying to develop my own wind farm. Needless to say it was not easy! It is getting easier these days, but sometimes you have to get into a job coming from it sideways rather than directly front on.