Every energization on a data center job site is a decision. When multiple systems are live or overlapping, the Energy Marshal makes sure it’s the right one. The Energy Marshal owns all energy control decisions on site, from first energization through final commissioning.
For Amber Mitchell, it’s a responsibility she shows up to own every single day.
Shaped by the Field
Amber’s path to becoming an Energy Marshal started in the field as an apprentice, until graduating as a licensed Journeyman. Her days consisted of pulling wire, installing conduit, terminating circuits, and reading one-lines and plans from rough-in to energization. That exposure shaped how she thought as a Foreman, and ultimately how she operates now.
The foundation of her background is what makes her effective today.
“Having a fundamental understanding of how everything functions is crucial. Getting to that understanding comes through collaboration, research, and asking questions. I figure the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know,” she shares. “It opens the door to discoveries. You don’t fully understand something until you can explain it in layman's terms, and this role requires many explanations.”
Technical knowledge alone is not enough. The role demands the ability to stay aware of site activity and translate or share energy status to every trade on site and at every stage of a project.
What Makes This Role Different
On a data center project, energy isolation isn’t a single-sourced event. Systems come online in phases. Equipment status changes daily, with newly introduced systems feeding equipment. Utility feeds, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, Automatic Transfer Switches (ATS), and generators all interact with one another, and depending on where the project is in commissioning, many of them can back feed equipment for the redundancy necessary for data centers to operate.
Amber works directly with the Commissioning Superintendent, tracking all equipment through the construction, QA/QC and commissioning lifecycle to ensure nothing is touched before it’s properly identified, isolated, and statused. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) compliance is not just a step in the process, but a thread running through all of it.
Using various communication tools, the commissioning team keeps real-time visibility across trades so every vendor knows when equipment is being load banked, energized, or de-energized before they engage.
Medium voltage work adds another layer of complexity as well as additional qualifications. The Energy Marshal’s responsibility spans electrical hazards across the entire voltage spectrum, with medium voltage equipment down to lower voltages of 480V and below, including the Main Switchboards (MSBs) that serve as the backbone of low voltage distribution on site. MSBs are designed to be simultaneously supported by normal utility, generator backup, and UPS systems, all of which require qualified personnel to switch, test, and verify the absence of voltage at every step. With multiple equipment vendors working across the site, coordinating across those overlapping sources, there’s no room for assumptions.
Energy isolation coordination is not just a function of safety either; it directly supports quality.
Improper isolation can damage critical equipment by introducing electricity to systems ready for them. By ensuring energy is controlled correctly the first time, Amber protects not only the crews onsite, but the integrity and performance of the entire facility.
Qualities That Matter
Amber is encouraging about what it takes to do this job well.
"Ask questions and be willing to hear what others have to say. Be humble so you can learn," she says. "Closed mouths don't get fed."
That humility doesn’t mean being passive. Part of the role is catching mistakes early and being willing to say something when conditions aren’t right.
"It's okay to check someone. Catch things sooner rather than later. It's for the good of everyone."
That includes being confident enough to exercise stop-work authority when conditions aren’t right, and comfortable saying no without hesitation when it could lead to unsafe situations.
She also emphasizes showing up with the right attitude. A positive presence on site builds the kind of trust that makes the communication piece work, because when systems are live and decisions need to happen fast, people need to know they can come to you and that you’ll be direct with them to work through the necessary steps to ensure safety.
No Shortcuts
Data centers are one of the most high-stakes and rapidly evolving sectors in construction. Stepping into the Energy Marshal role has challenged Amber to continuously expand her technical knowledge. Embracing that growth every day, her approach remains grounded in a straightforward philosophy:
Know the systems. Use proactive, transparent communication, and refuse to cut corners.
When multiple power sources converge, even a small oversight can carry serious consequences. Every switch, every verification, every conversation matters. In this environment, precision is not an added layer of protection. It is the foundation on which everything else is built.
Interested in joining the Corbins Commissioning team? Explore open roles at corbins.us/careers.
Want to take a further look into our enterprise? Visit noxgroup.us
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