Assoc Vegetation Management Program Manager/Vegetation Management Program Manager

About the Role

The Assoc Vegetation Management Program Manager or Vegetation Management Program Manager positions will be located throughout Duke Energy's Carolinas West region. The exact location will be determined based on business needs at the time of offer. Locations are subject to change.

Note: Depending upon the qualifications of the successful applicant, the hiring manager may elect to fill this position at a higher level within the job hierarchy.

Locations

• Spartanburg, SC Ops Center: 580 Mount Pleasant Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29307
• Duncan, SC Ops Center: 808 Duncan Reidville Rd Duncan, SC 29334
• Gastonia Ops Center: 120 Duke Power Dr Dallas, NC 28034
• Little Rock Ops Center: 6325 Wilkinson Blvd Charlotte, NC 28214
• Newell Ops Center: 2530 E W.T. Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28213
• N Wilkesboro Ops Center: 1111 2nd St N Wilkesboro, NC 28659
• Elikin Ops Center: 461 Winston Road Jonesville, NC 28642
• Lewisville Ops Center: 500 Utility Dr Clemmons, NC 27012

Key Responsibilities

• Manage 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.
• Coordinate highly visible, community-sensitive VM projects with support and oversight from Management and other VM personnel.
• Assist internal engineering and VM personnel to strategically improve system reliability.
• Assist local operation and maintenance personnel to address local system needs impacted by vegetation.
• Support VM organization and regulatory teams to manage customer relations from a state regulatory basis.
• Develop vegetation management work plan and associated budget for respective T or D Maintenance area/zone.
• Monitor the performance of contract resources to assure safe work practices, vegetation management procedures/standards adherence, and productivity.
• Act as a lead for area VM crews during emergency storm operations.
• Respond to customer and community concerns associated with VM and Herbicide Programs.
• Develop communication plans with key stakeholders associated with VM projects.
• Work with government agencies (e.g., DOT, Environmental) to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and communicate area vegetation management plans to community stakeholders.
• Monitor vegetation management work plan and budget by inspecting work completion progress, reviewing/approving invoices, and monitoring unit costs.
• Perform regular patrols of Transmission or Distribution rights-of-way to identify potential operational issues.
• Manage expenditures within the area of responsibility to meet budget targets and forecast changes.
• Coordinate construction clearing activities for construction projects.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Electric distribution and/or transmission utility experience.
• Experience with Electrical or VM (Vegetation Management).
• ISA Certified Arborist (required within 2 years for Associate level).
• Pesticide Applicator License (required within 1 year for Associate level).
• Valid Driver's License.
• Possess working knowledge of how VM affects the safety and reliability of the electrical system.
• Utility Experience (working knowledge to proficiency).
• Construction Management Knowledge.
• Demonstrated ability to implement vegetation management methods, processes, and procedures and train others.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
• Demonstrated effective communication and customer relations skills (verbal and written).
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate program effectiveness.

Qualifications

Assoc Vegetation Management Program Manager (Required/Basic Qualifications)

• Associate Degree in Engineering, Forestry, or other related Technical Discipline with 1-3 years of Electrical or VM Experience.
• OR High School diploma with 1-3 years of experience with an electric distribution and/or transmission utility.
• OR 4-5 years of Electrical or VM Experience.
• OR Bachelors Degree with 0-1 years of Electrical or VM Experience.

Vegetation Management Program Manager (Required/Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s Degree with 1-3 years of Electrical or VM Experience.
• OR Associate Degree with 3-7 years of Electrical or VM Experience.
• OR High School diploma with 3-10 years of VM or utility experience working in distribution and/or transmission.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• B.S. - Forestry, engineering, or other related field.
• ISA Arborist or Utility Arborist.
• Certification Pesticide License.

Working Conditions

• Field Mobility Classification: Work location is highly mobile, working at various facilities or field locations with occasional onsite meetings after the onboarding period.
• Employee must live within a reasonable commute (not greater than 50 miles one way) to the posted reporting location.
• Travel Requirements: 15-25%

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