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Role Description

Oversees the coordination, execution, and monitoring of Hoosier Energy’s Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) program. Provides technical as well as supervisory direction and assigns tasks to internal right-of-way crews and vegetation management contractors to accomplish all aspects of the IVM plan and positive property owner relationships. Must maintain compliance with Hoosier Energy’s vegetation management plan, electrical clearance requirements, OSHA, NERC/RRO and other industry standards. Facilitates successful mitigation of permitting, environmental and other constraining issues. Creates a work environment that fosters communication and collaboration within and between departments and external stakeholders. Ensures crew and contractor safe, efficient, and effective work practices are maintained.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists in completing annual IVM work plan with budget guidelines.
• Addresses circuits with underperforming reliability of electrical service due to vegetation.
• Provides quality customer service and meets internal/external safety metrics.
• Includes planning, scheduling, evaluating, and documenting all work and activities.
• Ensures compliance with NERC and RRO requirements, OSHA, environmental, reliability and internal safety standards.
• Indirectly responsible for right-of-way clearing and excavating budgets.
• Assesses and forecasts budget requirements including tracking and reporting of budget data.
• Evaluates strategy, processes, emerging technology, and alternative methods for continuous improvement.
• Directs, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates vegetation management contractors.
• Oversees and mentors internal Right-of-Way employees and contracted crews.
• Manages scope, monitors results, and makes corrections as needed.
• Performs, documents, and evaluates aerial and ground inspections of right-of-ways.
• Manages the UAS (drone) program within Delivery Services.
• Manages functional strategies including line clearance pruning and hazard tree mitigation.
• Maintains employees’ pesticide licenses and supervises herbicide application.
• Identifies, communicates, and implements best practices.
• Ensures strong professional relationships with internal and external customers.
• Assists in storm and emergency situations.
• Serves as a subject matter expert in legislative initiatives.
• Participates in industry forums to improve system reliability and safety.
• Provides day-to-day oversight and guidance of transmission vegetation management operations.
• Responsible for vegetation management financial oversight.
• Represents Hoosier in responding to property owner or stakeholder complaints.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a life science field such as Horticulture, Forestry, Biology, or any of the associated disciplines minimum.
• In lieu of degree, an additional 5 years’ relevant experience minimum may be considered.
• Must possess and maintain a herbicide application license.
• Must possess and maintain an appropriate commercial driver’s license.

Experience

• 5 years’ electrical utility vegetation management experience minimum.
• Use of GIS mapping and systems.
• Computerized maintenance tracking databases and work order management.
• Utility vegetation management tactics and processes.
• Public engagement and conflict resolution.

Skills and Abilities

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong customer service and team orientation.
• Demonstrated level of professionalism and positive attitude.
• Ability to exercise flexibility to work effectively in a changing environment.
• Strong problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Advanced computer and technological skills, including GIS fundamentals.
• Ability to work effectively from a vehicle office.
• Broad knowledge of vegetation management including control techniques and chemical herbicide application.
• Knowledge of utility operation and maintenance.
• Ability to walk on or operate off-road equipment in difficult terrain.
• Capable of towing, backing, and loading/unloading of off-road equipment.
• Comfortable performing inspections via aircraft for extended hours.
• 24-hour availability to respond to system emergencies.

Company Description

Hoosier Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), sexual orientation, age, ancestry, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.