A vortex generator assembly (50) for use with a wind turbine rotor blade (22) is provided. The wind turbine rotor blade having a leading edge (120) and an axially spaced trailing edge (122), the vortex generator assembly includes at least one vortex generator (134) coupled to the wind turbine rotor blade, the vortex generator including at least one sidewall (110) extending outwardly a radial distance from an outer surface (52) of the wind turbine rotor blade, the vortex generator selectively positionable between a first position (174) and a second position (176), an actuator (138) coupled to the at least one vortex generator, the actuator configured to position the at least one vortex generator between the first position and the second position, and a control system (36) operatively coupled to the at least one vortex generator for moving the vortex generator between the first position and the second position.