Vegetation Management Program Manager/Sr. Vegetation Management Program Manager

Important Application Submission Information

In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, December 24, 2025

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Position Summary

This is the intermediate level of the VM classification hierarchy. Employees at this level have responsibility for contractor management and oversight with general supervision. Incumbents are expected to develop advanced skills and the ability to work with greater independence. They effectively apply fundamental concepts and procedures to work that is fairly complex and varied. Manages IVM programs including multi circuit planned maintenance, system level herbicide applications, reactive customer requested work and hazard tree programs to drive overall program strategy of improved customer reliability and regulatory compliance as applicable Strategic focus:

- Manages highly visible community sensitive VM projects with support as needed from Management and other VM Personnel

- Works with internal engineering and VM personnel to strategically improve system reliability

- Works with local operation and maintenance personnel to address local system needs being impacted by vegetation.

- Supports as needed VM organization and regulatory teams to manage customer relations from a state regulatory basis.

Responsibilities

- DVMP/TVMP Annual Planning Develop vegetation management work plan and associated budget for respective T or D Maintenance area/zone in collaboration with other VM Specialists, System Forester and Manager. Work with System Forester and Manager to assure that work plan is in compliance with Federal and Stated T&D vegetation management standards and regulatory requirements.

- General Contract Management Monitor the performance of contract resources to assure safe work practices, vegetation management procedures/standards adherence, and productivity consistent with Duke Energy Expectations. Lead role for area VM crews during emergency storm operations. Works independently on complex issues. Applying advanced knowledge and problem solving skills to wide-ranging issues. Integrates industry knowledge related to data into everyday business practices and decision making.

- Customer Relations (Internal and External)This positions responds to customer and community concerns associated with our VM and Herbicide Programs. Responsible for the development of communication plans with key stakeholders associated with VM projects.

- Governmental/Community Relations Works with government agencies, including DOT and Environmental to ensure compliance with appropriate state and federal regulations and pro-active communications of area vegetation management plans and procedures to community stakeholders.

- Work Plans Monitor respective Transmission or Distribution Maintenance Area vegetation management work plan and budget by inspecting/reporting work plan completion progress, reviewing/approving invoices for contractor work, monitoring unit costs, and adjusting work plans and expenditures as necessary.

- Inspections/Patrols Perform regular patrols of Transmission or Distribution rights-of-way to identify issues that would potentially impact the safe and reliable operation of the line.

- Financial Management Manage expenditures within area of responsibility to ensure that budget target and forecast changes are met. Implement adjustments within area of responsibility to complete necessary work while meeting budget forecasts, including forecast changes.

- Construction Clearing As assigned, coordinates construction clearing activities for construction projects in area of responsibility.

Note: This posting is for one position. Dependent on relevant experience, the level to which a candidate is aligned is outlined below.

Required/Basic Qualifications (Vegetation Management Program Manager)

- Bachelor’s with 1-3 years of Electrical or VM Experience

- Associates with 3-7 years of Electrical or VM Experience

- High School diploma with 3-10 years of VM or utility experience working in distribution and/or transmission

- ISA Arborist or Utility Arborist Certification

- Pesticide License

Required/Basic Qualifications (Senior Vegetation Management Program Manager)

- Associates degree in Other Technical or

- Associate’s degree in forestry or

- Associate’s degree in engineering

- 7 years related work experience

- In lieu of associate’s degree(s) AND 7 year(s) related work experience listed above, High School/GED AND 10 year(s) related work experience

- Certified Arborist and Pesticide Applicator License

- ISA Arborist or Utility Arborist Certification for at least 3 years

- Pesticide License

- Valid Driver's License

Desired Qualifications

- Bachelors degree in Other Technical or

- Bachelors degree in Engineering or

- Bachelors degree in Forestry

- In addition to desired degree, 3 years related work experience

- Project Management Professional and/or Certified GIS Professional and/or Certified Forester and/or Certified Arborist Utility Specialist

Additional Preferred Qualifications

- Possesses working knowledge of how VM affects the safety and reliability of the electrical system

- Utility Arborist Certification

- Registered Professional Forester

- PMI Knowledge & Project related work experience

- Familiarity with GIS databases and other geo-spatial systems

- Utility Experience - working knowledge to proficiency

- Construction Management Knowledge

- Demonstrated ability to implement vegetation management methods, processes and procedures and train and develop

- Demonstrated organizational and time management skills

- Demonstrated effective communication and customer relations skills both verbal and written.

- Demonstrated ability to evaluate program effectiveness.

Working Conditions

- Field - Environmental, Physical, Office, etc.

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Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

No

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No

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

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