20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You split time between office work and field visits. Mornings often mean checking emails in Microsoft Outlook, updating schedules in Microsoft Project, and running cost forecasts in Excel.
Afternoons might be site assessments or meetings with engineers to review AutoCAD drawings, GIS maps in ESRI ArcGIS, or subcontractor status. You also prepare stakeholder updates in PowerPoint and assist with permit applications and environmental studies when needed.
Start with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Project. Excel is used for budgets, cost forecasts, and data analysis; Project is used for schedules and task tracking. Both are used daily.
Next learn ESRI ArcGIS for mapping potential turbine locations and AutoCAD to read or approve engineering drawings. Finally, get comfortable with Word, PowerPoint and a web browser for reports, presentations and permit research.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports about 622,190 employed in this occupation category; median pay is $141,900 per year. The lowest tenth earn about $74,300 and the top tenth about $238,270.
Pay varies by region, experience, and whether you manage large projects or portfolios. Use BLS local data and company job postings to refine numbers for your area.
Use AI for drafting templates, summarizing long permit rules, or generating checklist ideas — but never trust it for final legal, engineering, or safety decisions. Always have a qualified engineer, lawyer, or permit specialist review AI outputs.
Keep sensitive data out of public AI tools. For confidential contract language (tax agreements, power purchase agreements), use company-approved systems or on-site AI with data controls, and document human review steps.
A degree in business, civil engineering, environmental science, or renewable energy helps. Courses in project management, GIS (ESRI ArcGIS), and AutoCAD are useful.
Entry roles include project coordinator or site assessor; learn Excel and Project on the job, then take specific training in wind resource assessment, permitting, and turbine types. Certifications in project management or GIS speed hiring.
A business development manager focuses on finding sites, negotiating land use and power contracts, budgeting, and stakeholder communication. You lead commercial deals and strategy, not detailed structural design.
A site engineer does civil engineering, approves engineering design, and checks soil/topography for turbines. A project manager focuses on delivering the build on schedule and cost; you overlap with both but lean toward strategy, contracts, and business cases.
Be strong in Microsoft Excel for budgets and forecasts, and Microsoft Project for schedules. Learn to read AutoCAD drawings and basic ESRI ArcGIS mapping outputs to assess locations and wind patterns.
Also know permit processes, be able to communicate status in clear PowerPoint slides, and understand turbine types and safety legislation so you can lead negotiations and approve technical work with confidence.