Asset Protection Program Manager or Sr. Asset Protection Program Manager

About the Role

This position manages, inspects, and protects a designated portion of the approximate 33,000 miles of purchased easement and fee-owned Transmission corridors to ensure customers, contractors, and developers comply with established Asset Protection (AP) guidelines. The role involves collaborating with stakeholders, reviewing technical engineering drawings, and participating in decisions regarding the release of transmission easements and the sale of fee-owned property. The preferred location is Plainfield, Noblesville, or Huntington, with consideration for other Northern Indiana Region locations based on business needs.

Responsibilities

• Resolve existing encroachments and address Helicopter Reports of encroachments by negotiating with customers, communicating Duke Energy’s legal rights, and pursuing appropriate courses of action, including court proceedings and testifying.
• Collaborate with observers during helicopter flights to identify and address encroachments.
• Review and approve technical engineering drawings (site plans, grading, utilities, landscaping, etc.) to ensure compliance with Duke Energy’s transmission guidelines, including evaluating grade changes to protect National Electric Safety Code (NESC), OSHA minimum approach distances, and Duke Energy clearance standards.
• Meet with developers, architects, engineers, corporate executives, governmental leaders, and lawyers to prevent and resolve encroachment issues.
• Prepare professional letters to property owners outlining plan review findings and document detailed conversations, site visits, and emails to support potential legal reviews.
• Negotiate with customers, review Duke Energy’s legal rights, and recommend appropriate actions, including court proceedings and testifying, with management oversight.
• Train, onboard, and mentor new employees.
• Respond to customer and community concerns associated with AP Programs.
• Identify and assign opportunities for Asset Protection team members to engage with influential leaders to prevent encroachments.
• Evaluate, recommend, and attend conferences for Professional Land Surveyors, Home Builders, Professional Engineers, and Grading Contractors Associations.
• Work with government agencies, including DOT and Environmental, to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and proactively communicate vegetation management plans to stakeholders.
• Assist with escalated projects across the enterprise.
• Monitor the performance of contract resources to ensure safe work practices, adherence to asset protection procedures, and productivity.
• Assist the Lead AP Program Manager during emergency storm operations.
• Work with minimal supervision on complex issues, applying advanced knowledge and problem-solving skills.
• Integrate industry knowledge related to data into everyday business practices and decision-making.
• Manage expenditures within the region to meet budget targets and forecasts, including implementing adjustments to complete necessary work.
• Testify in court, provide legal documentation, and coordinate the accumulation of supporting evidence for legal actions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Forestry, Engineering, Real Estate, Business, or a related discipline. In lieu of a degree, a High School Diploma/GED with a minimum of 7 years (Asset Protection Program Manager) or 10 years (Sr. Asset Protection Program Manager) of related work experience is required.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans, easement documents, and legal documents.
• Familiarity with NESC and OSHA requirements for the electric business.
• Ability to give depositions and testify in a courtroom setting.
• Field Mobility Classification: Work will be performed in various field locations as needed, with the requirement to live within a reasonable daily commute to the assigned work location.
• Travel Requirements: 5-15%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of how Asset Protection affects the safety and reliability of the electrical system.
• Project management experience and/or PMI© Knowledge.
• Familiarity with GIS databases, mapping, and other geo-spatial systems.
• Utility experience, ranging from working knowledge to proficiency.
• Demonstrated organizational, planning, and time management skills.
• Effective communication and customer relation skills, both verbal and written, including strong presentation skills.
• Collaboration and teamwork skills.
• Leadership skills, including influencing and motivation.
• Excellent negotiating and conflict management skills.
• Ability to deal with highly stressful situations.
• Ability to collaborate with multiple levels within an organization.
• Experience getting work done through contractors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Ability to work independently, self-motivate, and make decisions.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to implement asset protection methods, processes, and procedures, and train others in their implementation.