Senior Ops Supervisor, Vegetation Management Transmission

About us

National Grid is hiring a Senior Supervisor, Transmission Forestry for our Vegetation Management department in Buffalo, 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.

Job Purpose

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. This position will support the company’s capex program including large scale complex construction projects such as CLCPA.  This position will be integral in the project development, planning, permitting, and delivery of forestry work to prepare the corridor for new assets.

Key Accountabilities

• Contribute to the development of EMCP, procurement strategies, contract specifications, and planning to support project development.
• Develop estimates and budgets for large- and small-scale capex.
• Execute and deliver complex ROW clearing, hazard tree removals, access development, herbicide work, and environmental mitigation measures.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, federal and project specific regulatory requirements.
• Leverage knowledge of utility forestry, Article 7 and Part 102 requirements, utility procedures and best practices to assist project teams.  Take ownership of delivering projects safely, on time, compliant, and within budget.
• Participate and contribute during project meetings and walkdowns. 
• Provide forestry expertise in responding to inquiries from the public, regulators or government representatives.  Provide professional, technical and legal input in support of all NGRID strategies and objectives.
• Leverage capex work to increase the reliability and safety of the transmission and sub- transmission system.
• Support Environmental and permitting in obtaining all required permits. 
• Plan, schedule and coordinate 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 regulatory requirements including but not limited to FAC-003-5 FERC, article 7, part 102, and the 2005 PSC ROW Enhancement order.
• Evaluate Forestry contractor performance relative to NGRID safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• 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. 
• 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.  

Supervisory/Interpersonal- Experience Required

• Strong skills in public speaking, decision making, leadership, fiscal management and self motivation.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of right-of-way vegetation management methods and procedures including pruning techniques and herbicide-based programs are required.
• Good interpersonal/communication skills and self-motivation/initiative required.
• Strong skills in public speaking, decision making, leadership, and fiscal management.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Extensive experience utilizing GIS Software and/or other Vegetation Management monitoring applications.
• Experience in managing the work of a technical operations team
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of regulatory issues affecting the vegetation industry
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of project management methods and techniques
• 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.
• A 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. 

More Information

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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