Job Description

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This position can be filled at an Vegetation Associate Specialist or Specialist I level depending on experience

Summary

This position is responsible for assisting the Manager Vegetation, Lead or other VM Specialist with planning, implementing, documenting, and inspecting the Transmission/ Distribution Vegetation Management Program (D/TVMP) in their respective Transmission/Distribution Maintenance Area/Zone. The vegetation management program includes assessing, planning, re-clearing, documenting, and inspecting the T or D rights-of-way of vegetation to assure the safe and reliable operation of the transmission and distribution grids.

Since the activities are accomplished primarily through the use of contract resources, a significant part of this positions responsibility involves contractor management and oversight.

With regard to customer service, this position will be required to periodically communicate effectively with property owners, public officials, and other stakeholders regarding various vegetation issues for the electrical system. As an Associate VM Specialist, this individual will support internal employees, contract employees, and the public regarding vegetation management.

This position is responsible for monitoring program activities to ensure some, or all, of the following: NERC compliance, Utility Commission compliance, state/local/ordinance regulatory compliance, franchise agreement compliance, and system reliability. This position also supports all compliance documentation related to planning and implementation of the annual VM work plan.

In addition to or in lieu of the roles previously discussed, this position may also be responsible for vegetation management activities for substations, Vegetation Management Inspector role, and/or clearing rights-of-way for new construction.

This position has:

* Financial responsibilities of up to $100K direct, $5M indirect
* Management responsibility for up to 150 contract personnel
* Direct impact on high external risks (litigation, Commission issues, environmental regulations, public relations, NERC compliance,
* Direct impact on lower internal risks (contract specifications, contractor productivity, financial impacts, etc.)
* Compliance impact (NERC-FERC/EPA/DWQ/DENR/DOL/NRC/Utility Commission/etc.)

Responsibilities

* Contract Management: Monitor performance of contract resources to assure safe work practices, vegetation management procedures/standards adherence, and productivity consistent with Duke Energy expectations. Manage the productivity and performance of contract crews indirectly through contractor management to ensure safe and efficient operation of the crews. Work with ROW Manager to address any discrepancies between contractor performance and Duke policies/procedures and expectations.
* Customer Relations (Internal and External): To enhance the level of customer satisfaction with Dukes VM Program through various communications channels with Duke Energy customers, local governments, local tree boards, industry groups, civic groups and any other entity which interfaces and affects the success of the program. This position responds to customer and community concerns associated with our VM and Herbicide Programs and through the development, presentation and implementation of communication and education activities, promotes understanding and acceptance of the program. Work proactively to avert conflicts with property owners or others who have objections with Duke's VM activities.
* Work Plans: Monitor respective T or D Maintenance Area vegetation management work plan and budget by inspecting/reporting work plan completion progress, reviewing/approving invoices for contract work, monitoring unit costs, and adjusting work plans and expenditures as necessary.
* Inspections/Patrols: Perform regular patrols of T or D rights-of-way to identify issues that would potentially impact the safe and reliable operation of the line. This is to be performed consistent with the relevant Transmission or Distribution procedures. Document all potential NERC compliance related outages. If assigned to role of VM Inspection, this position would focus on daily inspection of contractor performance, safety, environmental, and work specification adherence (almost 100% of time).
* Substation VM (Transmission only): Manage substation VM work including local ordinance compliance issues.
* Financial Management : Manage expenditures within area of responsibility to ensure that budget targets and forecast changes are met. Implement adjustments within area of responsibility to complete necessary work while meeting budget forecasts, including forecast changes.
* Construction Clearing: Perform activities for construction project clearing in area of responsibility: contract oversight; oversight and reporting of erosion and sedimentation control requirements during clearing work; etc.

Basic Qualifications

Associate Vegetation Mgmt Specialist

* High School Diploma/GED or 4-5 Years of Electrical or VM Experience or 1 3 if experience with an electric distribution and/or transmission utility in lieu of a degree
* Years of prior work related experience in addition to a degree: B.S.: 0-1 Years of Electrical or VM Experience; A.S.: 1-3 Years of Electrical or VM Experience
* ISA Arborist or Utility Arborist Certification (within 2 years)
* Pesticide License (within 1 year )
* Drivers License
* Possess working knowledge of how VM affects the safety and reliability of the electrical system.

Vegetation Mgmt Specialist I

* B.S. - Forestry, engineering, or other related technical field or A.S. - Forestry, engineering, or other related technical field or 3-10 years of VM or utility experience working in distribution and/or transmission in lieu of a degree
* Years of prior work related experience in addition to a degree: B.S.: 1-3 years of VM or utility experience working in distribution and/or transmission
* ISA Arborist or Utility Arborist Certification
* Pesticide License
* Drivers License
* Possess working knowledge of how VM affects the safety and reliability of the electrical system.

Preferred Qualifications

* B.S. - Forestry, engineering, or other related technical field or A.S. - Forestry, engineering, or other related technical field
* ISA Arborist or Utility Arborist Certification
* Pesticide License
* Utility Experience Working knowledge to proficiency
* Construction Management knowledge
* Demonstrated ability to implement vegetation management methods, processes and procedures and train and develop other foresters in the implementation of the same
* Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
* Demonstrated effective communication and customer relation skills, both verbal and written
* Demonstrated ability to evaluate program effectiveness
* Demonstrated leadership skills, including motivation skills
* Demonstrated excellent negotiating and conflict management skills
* Demonstrated ability to deal with highly stressful situations
* Demonstrated ability to deal with multi-levels within an organization
* Demonstrated ability to get work done through use of contractors.
* Demonstrated computer skills in working with word processing, PowerPoint and spreadsheet application in a Windows environment.
* Possesses previous supervisory experience
* Possesses previous experience managing a contract employee workforce



Additional Preferred Qualifications

* 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 and develop other foresters in the implementation of the same
* Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
* Demonstrated effective communication and customer relation skills, both verbal and written
* Demonstrated ability to evaluate program effectiveness
* Demonstrated leadership skills, including motivation skills
* Demonstrated excellent negotiating and conflict management skills
* Demonstrated ability to deal with highly stressful situations
* Demonstrated ability to deal with multi-levels within an organization
* Demonstrated ability to get work done through use of contractors.
* Demonstrated computer skills in working with word processing, PowerPoint and spreadsheet application in a Windows environment.
* Possesses previous supervisory experience
* Possesses previous experience managing a contract employee workforce

Working Conditions

*
Specific Requirements

* The following required education & experience can be interchangeably accepted:
* Bachelors with 0-1 years of Electrical or VM Experience
* Associates with 1-3 years of Electrical or VM Experience
* 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.

* ISA Arborist or Utility Arborist Certification (within 2 years)
* Pesticide License (within 1 year)
* Valid Driver's License

Travel Requirements

50+%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Yes

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No

Posting Expiration Date

Saturday, April 10, 2021

All job postings expire at 12:01 AM on the posting expiration date.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.