Senior Ops Supervisor, Vegetation Management Transmission

National Grid is hiring a Senior Supervisor for our Vegetation Management department in Syracuse, NY

Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live.

The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

The Vegetation Management program at National Grid utilizes an internal management staff and an external contractor workforce to effectively deliver the annual program across Upstate New York. Major program components include annual cycle pruning, hazard tree mitigation programs, customer/new business work, system reliability/capital construction projects, transmission side-line work, the Integrated Vegetation Management program (IVM), Substation Bare Ground Program and Natural Gas pipeline Vegetation Management.

The Transmission Forestry Supervisor will assist in achieving overall Department goals to optimize transmission system safety and reliability performance by developing and implementing right-of-way and substation vegetation management programs. Candidate will supervise all daily activities of Transmission Forestry contractor crews across the Division.

• Execution of a Vegetation Management sourcing model that utilizes external resources to deliver the annual Transmission workplan in accordance with the Asset Management Strategy. Through inter-departmental coordination, provide professional, technical and legal input in support of all NGRID strategies and objectives.
• Provide input to the Vegetation Strategy group relative to annual planning, budgeting and auditing of the National Grid right-of-way vegetation management program.
• Support the Vegetation Strategy group in obtaining all required permits and delivering public notifications as required for herbicide application.
• Plan, schedule and coordinate all transmission vegetation work performed by contractors. Monitor contractor productivity to ensure timely completion of all work. Approve contractor timesheets and certify work as complete, prior to authorizing payments.
• Execute comprehensive field audits to ensure contractor compliance with vegetation management line clearances, specifications and environmental requirements. Ensure compliance to all FAC-003-4 FERC requirements. Perform aerial surveys on an annual basis.
• Evaluate Forestry contractor performance relative to NGRID safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements. Perform "Effective Safety Discussions" (ESD) and "Compliance Assessments" (CA) per the agreed monthly targets.
• Ensure that the Forestry workplan is delivered in accordance with the annual budget and schedule requirements as determined by the appropriate Jurisdiction.
• Assist the department manager in coordinating all aspects of the Department's activities while maintaining alignment with other Company functions including right-of-way, construction, environmental, and engineering.
• Implementation of NGRID Storm/Emergency restoration policies and procedures. Continually review and evaluate the effectiveness of both minor and major events - implement improvements as appropriate.
• Through external public relations, deliver and encourage public Forestry education.
• Respond to customer inquiries and concerns while fostering and maintaining an effective working relationship. Maintain cooperative and proactive relationships with state and local environmental agencies and officials. Attend various customer, community and municipal meetings as required.
• Provide off hour coverage for routine emergencies as well as significant storm events.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Good interpersonal/communication skills and self-motivation/initiative required.
• Strong skills in public speaking, decision making, leadership, and fiscal management.
• Experience in managing the work of a technical operations team.

• Minimum of a two year degree in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, Forestry or a related natural resources field or related Line Clearance field experience.
• Preference is at least 5 to 10 years' experience in utility vegetation management, particularly right-of-way vegetation management.
• Ability to work alone in remote locations and travel varied terrain by 4WD, ATV, foot and helicopter is essential.
• Knowledge of right-of-way vegetation management methods and procedures including pruning techniques and herbicide-based programs are required.
• Extensive experience utilizing GIS Software and/or other Vegetation Management monitoring applications.
• Working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.269 Line Clearance tree trimming operations, American National Standard A-300 & Z-133, National Electrical Safety Code 218 Tree trimming.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of regulatory issues affecting the vegetation industry.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of project management methods and techniques.

Salary: $99,000 - $117,000

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Internal candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is an equal opportunity employer that values a broad diversity of talent, knowledge, experience and expertise. We foster a culture of inclusion that drives employee engagement to deliver superior performance to the communities we serve. National Grid is proud to be an affirmative action employer. We encourage minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans to join the National Grid team.

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