Vegetation Management Program Manager/Sr. Vegetation Management Program Manager

Preferred location: New Port Richey – Seven Springs Ops Center South Coastal area. Depending upon qualifications, the hiring manager may elect to fill this position at a higher level within the job hierarchy.

About the role

This is the intermediate level of the Vegetation Management (VM) classification hierarchy. Employees at this level have responsibility for contractor management and oversight with general supervision. Incumbents are expected to develop advanced skills and the ability to work with greater independence, effectively applying fundamental concepts and procedures to work that is fairly complex and varied.

Manages IVM programs including multi-circuit planned maintenance, system-level herbicide applications, reactive customer-requested work, and hazard tree programs to drive overall program strategy of improved customer reliability and regulatory compliance.

• Strategic focus: Manages highly visible, community-sensitive VM projects with support as needed from management and other VM personnel.
• Works with internal engineering and VM personnel to strategically improve system reliability.
• Works with local operation and maintenance personnel to address local system needs impacted by vegetation.
• Supports VM organization and regulatory teams to manage customer relations from a state regulatory basis.

Responsibilities

• DVMP/TVMP Annual Planning: Develop vegetation management work plan and associated budget for respective T or D Maintenance area/zone in collaboration with other VM Specialists, System Forester, and Manager. Work with System Forester and Manager to assure that work plan is in compliance with Federal and State T&D vegetation management standards and regulatory requirements.
• General Contract Management: Monitor the performance of contract resources to assure safe work practices, vegetation management procedures/standards adherence, and productivity consistent with Duke Energy expectations. Lead role for area VM crews during emergency storm operations. Works independently on complex issues, applying advanced knowledge and problem-solving skills to wide-ranging issues. Integrates industry knowledge related to data into everyday business practices and decision-making.
• Customer Relations (Internal and External): Responds to customer and community concerns associated with VM and Herbicide Programs. Responsible for the development of communication plans with key stakeholders associated with VM projects.
• Governmental/Community Relations: Works with government agencies, including DOT and Environmental, to ensure compliance with appropriate state and federal regulations and pro-active communications of area vegetation management plans and procedures to community stakeholders.
• Work Plans: Monitor respective Transmission or Distribution Maintenance Area vegetation management work plan and budget by inspecting/reporting work plan completion progress, reviewing/approving invoices for contractor work, monitoring unit costs, and adjusting work plans and expenditures as necessary.
• Inspections/Patrols: Perform regular patrols of Transmission or Distribution rights-of-way to identify issues that would potentially impact the safe and reliable operation of the line.
• Financial Management: Manage expenditures within area of responsibility to ensure that budget target and forecast changes are met. Implement adjustments within area of responsibility to complete necessary work while meeting budget forecasts, including forecast changes.
• Construction Clearing: As assigned, coordinates construction clearing activities for construction projects in area of responsibility.

Requirements

Vegetation Management Program Manager:

• Bachelor’s degree with 1-3 years of Electrical or VM Experience
• Associate’s degree with 3-7 years of Electrical or VM Experience
• High School diploma with 3-10 years of VM or utility experience working in distribution and/or transmission
• ISA Certified Arborist
• Pesticide Applicator License
• Valid Driver's License

Senior Vegetation Management Program Manager:

• Associate’s degree in Other Technical, Forestry, or Engineering
• 7 years related work experience
• In lieu of associate’s degree, High School/GED AND 10 years related work experience
• ISA Certified Arborist
• Utility Arborist Certification for at least 3 years
• Pesticide Applicator License
• Valid Driver's License

Qualifications

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Other Technical, Engineering, or Forestry
• In addition to desired degree, 3 years related work experience
• Project Management Professional and/or Certified GIS Professional and/or Certified Forester and/or Certified Arborist Utility Specialist

Additional Preferred Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of how VM affects the safety and reliability of the electrical system
• Utility Arborist Certification
• Registered Professional Forester
• PMI Knowledge & Project-related work experience
• Familiarity with GIS databases and other geo-spatial systems
• Utility Experience – working knowledge to proficiency
• Construction Management Knowledge
• Demonstrated ability to implement vegetation management methods, processes, and procedures and train and develop
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
• Demonstrated effective communication and customer relations skills both verbal and written
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate program effectiveness

Working Conditions

• Field Mobility Classification: Work will be performed in various field locations, as needed, after the onboarding period. Field employees are required to live within a 30-mile daily commute to their assigned work location.
• Travel Requirements: 5-15%

This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.