Sr Mgr Forestry

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.

Location: This is a hybrid position with required onsite days Monday and Thursday assigned to the Parnall Office located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).

General Summary of Job Responsibilities

The Sr Manager Forestry involves advanced supervisory and operating responsibilities on the electric and gas systems (LVD, HVD, Gas T&S) responsible for completion of key reliability and maintenance programs dependent on shifting workloads, priorities, system reliability, environmental constraints and is the subject matter expert on policy, procedures, and specifications of field work for maintenance and construction activities for Forestry Operations including non-routine (emergency response) and routing work within a defined regional and/or state-wide systems with minimal supervision. They manage multiple vegetation management contracts for LVD, HVD, and Gas T&S line maintenance performed by external labor workforce, including direct responsibility for contractual oversight of all work, including reconciliation of pay items for program work and capital projects to assure timely and cost competitive completion while strategizing, planning, organizing, directing, and controlling in areas such as Safety, Regulatory Compliance (MPSC, NERC/FERC, EGLE, Etc.), policy and procedure applications, quality control systems, workplan adherence, customer interfaces, and storm management. This role will set targets, objectives, goals and develop policy, procedures and specifications including development of contracts utilized to complete forestry work and in the hiring of exempt and non-exempt employees in their geographic area or adjacent areas. Initiates and leads/supports projects or change implementation efforts to improve results and is capable of representing the Company’s policy, procedures, and specifications for line clearing activities to the public and government officials.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

- Responsible to lead Daily Operating Reviews, Weekly Operating Reviews, Monthly Operating Reviews, Rally Rooms, problem solving events, Safety Health and Guidance Teams, Safety Culture Teams, Fix It Now Teams, Safety Grass Roots Teams, Financial Programs. Understand company and departmental metrics/financials, create/update visual management, problem solve, lean tool education and utilize, Waste Elimination identification, input and follow through to completion for cost savings, automation identification

- Interface with LVD, HVD and Gas T&S Planning/Engineering/Project Managers to support program and project initiatives meeting project timelines and financial objectives

- Provide project leadership, operational leadership and impose safe work practices. Ensure employee development through knowledge transfer, individualized mentoring and structured training. Mentor, support and lead co-workers in the team with training, development, mental positivity, and process questions. Coach and lead by example for other team members, so they can be successful with individual and team goals

- Participate in on call assignments and activated for storm restoration. Respond to emergent events 24/7. Manage to company's High Load Response process including adhering to Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) Conservative Operations Guidelines, etc. Duties typically outside of normal business hours and in addition to normal 100% of duties

- Manage resources to complete O&M program work, capital construction and regulatory requirements for electric and gas systems. Manage and monitor work performed by company and non-company personnel, including oversight for safety, cost, delivery and quality. Coordinate and facilitate production meetings for strategic planning of O&M and Capital project (HVD, LVD, Gas T&S, 3rd party developers, and Gas construction projects). Provide planning, direction, regulatory compliance and oversight to assure completion of work in a safe and cost-effective manner

- Conduct regular safety meetings with contractor crews, job site crew safety visits and investigate and complete necessary incident reports and accident reports; maintain records, prepare and submit required reports for appropriate agencies

- Resolve internal/external customer concerns; includes property restoration, MPSC complaints and addressing concerns over access and easement rights. Provide and maintain positive customer and employee relations with all forms of communication; includes verbal, e-mail, text and non-verbal communications. Review and approve requests for easement modifications from 3rd party developers, landowners and other municipalities

- Other duties as assigned or may be necessary

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

- Knowledge of basic forestry principles, arboricultural standards and vegetation management practices, methods, and equipment. Ability to know when to implement various techniques and equipment use

- Knowledge/Understanding and application of planning and scheduling process (SAP).

- Task analysis skills, CAIDI, SAIFI, SAIDI strategy and tactics

- Knowledge of and experience in LVD and HVD line operations including emergent / unplanned service restoration to both HVD and LVD system. Understanding of grid infrastructure

- Applies understanding of policy coupled with leadership skills to resolve process and employee issues

- Thorough knowledge of company policies and applications

- Contract management/enforcement

- Skill in transfer of knowledge and employee development

- Knowledge and application of work methods, work processes, and related technology in the field of Electric and Gas Operations

- Skilled in negotiating and conflict resolution with internal and external clients

Education & Experience

- Bachelor's Degree in Forestry or Natural Resources Related Field. Degree in business or related discipline may be considered with 7 years basic forestry knowledge and vegetation management practices. Have previous experience leading a team, managing a work plan and obtaining corporate goals. Provide oversight to company and contracted work force, manage and enforce contractual compliance with contractors, enforce safe work practices and procedures

- [OR] Associate's Degree in Forestry or Natural Resources Related Field. Degree in business or related discipline may be considered with 9 years basic forestry knowledge and vegetation management practices. Have previous experience leading a team, managing a work plan and obtaining corporate goals. Provide oversight to company and contracted work force, manage and enforce contractual compliance with contractors, enforce safe work practices and procedures

- [OR] High School Diploma with 11 years basic forestry knowledge and vegetation management practices. Have previous experience leading a team, managing a work plan and obtaining corporate goals. Provide oversight to company and contracted work force, manage and enforce contractual compliance with contractors, enforce safe work practices and procedures

Certifications

Must be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification and NERC/FERC Authority within 90 days of hire.

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

- Competitive compensation packages

- Medical, Dental and Vision

- 401k with company match

- Paid parental leave

- Up to 13 paid Holidays

- Paid time off

- Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

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