Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wind Turbine Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a reliable, safety-focused Wind Turbine Assistant to support wind farm operations and maintenance teams. The Wind Turbine Assistant works alongside turbine technicians, engineers, and O&M supervisors to perform inspections, routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and documentation of wind turbine components (nacelle, gearbox, generator, blades, tower). This is a hands-on field role that emphasizes safe working at heights, technical aptitude in mechanical and electrical systems, SCADA monitoring, and excellent teamwork. Candidates who succeed are organized, detail-oriented, comfortable with physical work and climbing, and committed to following strict HSE procedures.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Technician / Maintenance Technician in industrial or utilities sectors
Apprenticeship or vocational training in mechanical/electrical trades
Military technician roles (mechanical, electrical, or avionics)

Advancement To:

Wind Turbine Technician / Senior Turbine Technician
Lead Technician / Crew Lead
O&M Supervisor or Site Manager
Wind Farm Commissioning Engineer or Reliability Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Blade Inspection Specialist
SCADA/Controls Technician
Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Officer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform routine and scheduled preventive maintenance on wind turbines, including oil and filter changes, gearbox checks, generator inspections, and replacement of wear items under supervision of a certified technician.
Assist in mechanical troubleshooting and fault diagnosis of turbine components such as gearboxes, main bearings, pitch systems, yaw systems, and hydraulic circuits using hand tools and diagnostic equipment.
Execute visual inspections and detailed condition assessments of blades, towers, nacelles, and foundations, documenting defects, erosion, cracks, lightning protection issues, and other anomalies in the asset management system.
Support investigators and senior technicians during unscheduled corrective maintenance, emergency repairs, and component replacements, ensuring parts readiness and tool preparation.
Climb turbines and work safely at heights to access nacelles and hub areas; rig and use fall arrest systems, ladders, harnesses, and other personal protective equipment in accordance with site HSE requirements.
Assist with electrical inspections and routine electrical tasks under supervision, including motor checks, cable inspections, insulation resistance testing, and basic relay and breaker checks in low- and medium-voltage systems.
Monitor SCADA systems for alarms, performance trends, and fault codes; perform initial alarm triage, escalate complex issues to control room engineers, and document all interventions and observations.
Log and update work orders in computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), including detailed job notes, parts used, time on site, and handover to oncoming shifts.
Participate in turbine commissioning and decommissioning activities, assisting with mechanical alignment, sensor calibration, functional testing, and acceptance checks to ensure turbines meet operational specifications.
Conduct routine lubrication tasks, hydraulic fluid top-ups, and grease point maintenance following OEM procedures and maintenance schedules.
Assist with blade repair operations under the direction of qualified blade technicians, including sanding, patching, resin application, and surface treatments while observing strict quality controls.
Help rig lifting operations, assist crane crews with hoisting turbine components, and act as a competent signaler/spotter as required by site lifting plans and CAPEX project teams.
Carry out basic vibration and thermography surveys under guidance, collect condition-monitoring data, and upload results to analysis platforms for review by reliability engineers.
Support confined space entry operations (where applicable) by preparing equipment, maintaining air monitoring logs, and assisting with safety lines, ventilation, and rescue procedures.
Follow lockout-tagout (LOTO) and isolation procedures prior to performing maintenance tasks; verify de-energization and ensure safe re-energization in coordination with senior staff.
Assist in spare parts inventory control: receive, inspect, label, and store replacement components; keep parts kits ready for rapid mobilization during outages.
Prepare and maintain detailed handover packs for shift changes, including outstanding defects, safety observations, pending parts orders, and operational limitations.
Participate in routine safety audits, toolbox talks, and HSE meetings; proactively report hazards, near-misses, and non-conformances and contribute to corrective action follow-up.
Support environmental protection measures on site, such as spill response, waste segregation, and adherence to site-specific environmental management plans.
Maintain clear communication with site supervisors, control room personnel, external contractors, and landowners to coordinate access, logistics, and scheduling of maintenance tasks.
Assist in the execution of quality control checks, ensuring all maintenance work complies with manufacturer specifications, company procedures, and regulatory standards.
Collect and sample lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and other fluids for laboratory analysis, label samples correctly, and track sample chain-of-custody for condition monitoring.
Support training programs by mentoring apprentices and new hires, demonstrating safe work practices, and sharing practical field knowledge to build team capability.

Secondary Functions

Help prepare pre-shift equipment checks and vehicle/toolbox inspections to ensure all PPE, tools, and rescue gear are fit for service.
Support ad-hoc data requests and upload operational and maintenance data to asset management platforms for analysis by reliability teams.
Contribute to the organization's continuous improvement initiatives by suggesting procedural improvements, time-savings, and safety enhancements based on field observations.
Collaborate with business units to translate operational observations into maintenance requirements and spare parts specifications.
Participate in sprint-style project work for turbine upgrades, retrofits, and minor capital projects, following agile planning and tight execution timelines.
Assist with ground support roles during blade inspections using drones and rope-access teams, preparing equipment and collating inspection reports.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Working at Heights certification and practical experience climbing turbine towers and nacelles
Knowledge of wind turbine mechanical systems: gearboxes, yaw/pitch systems, blade components, and hydraulics
Basic electrical knowledge: low- and medium-voltage awareness, cable identification, basic fault finding, and meter use
SCADA monitoring and alarm triage experience (or willingness to be trained on SCADA platforms)
Proficiency with CMMS/asset management systems (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, IFS) for work orders and reporting
Experience or exposure to condition monitoring techniques: vibration analysis basics, thermography/infrared inspection, and oil sampling
Competency with hand and power tools, torqueing, alignment tools, and field diagnostic equipment
Familiarity with LOTO (lockout-tagout), confined space procedures, and permit-to-work systems
Basic crane and lifting awareness, ability to assist as a slinger/signaler and follow ground handling procedures
Competence in using mobile devices and basic office software (MS Office, mobile data collection apps) to complete reports and inspections
First Aid/CPR certification and/or emergency rescue training for turbine rescue scenarios (desirable)
Knowledge of blade repair materials and basic composite repair techniques (desirable)
Driver’s license valid for local site travel; experience driving 4x4 and site vehicles preferred

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and a methodical approach to inspections, maintenance, and documentation
Excellent communication skills — clear verbal and written reporting to supervisors and remote control rooms
Team player attitude with the ability to follow instructions and support senior technicians under pressure
High sense of personal accountability for safety, quality, and punctuality
Problem-solving mindset with practical hands-on adaptability in field conditions
Resilient, physically fit, and comfortable working in all weather conditions including remote sites
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize concurrent tasks during shift work
Willingness to learn, accept feedback, and undertake continuous technical training and certifications

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent; vocational training or trade certificate in electrical, mechanical, or industrial maintenance preferred.

Preferred Education:

Technical diploma or associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Renewable Energy, or similar applied technical field.
Relevant certifications (e.g., IP, IRATA, NDT, first aid, working at heights) advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mechanical or Electrical Apprenticeship
Renewable Energy Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Mechatronics
Wind Energy Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years field experience preferred; candidates with hands-on mechanical/electrical maintenance, manufacturing, or utilities experience will be considered.

Preferred: 1–3 years of direct wind industry or heavy-industrial maintenance experience, demonstrated experience with working at heights, and familiarity with wind turbine components and SCADA systems.