Vegetation Program Manager

Requisition ID # 170057

Job Category: Project / Program Management

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Electric Operations

Work Type: Onsite

Job Location: Bakersfield

Position Summary

The Vegetation Program Manager oversees Vegetation Management operations, ensuring electric system safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance with state and federal rules. The incumbent may also serve as a subject-matter expert, providing guidance and education, or influencing leaders in the industry (PG&E, other utilities, or other decision-makers) on regulatory issues and program strategies. Leads team within a specific geographic area of operations, including direct oversight of inspection and tree contractor personnel. Works with customers and public entities to monitor and manage vegetation proximity to PG&E assets to contribute to system reliability and safety objectives.

PG&E is providing the salary range that the company, in good faith, believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity. Although we estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed towards the middle or entry point of the range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors. This job is also eligible to participate in PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.

A reasonable salary range is: California Minimum: $78,000

California Mid-Point: $104,000

California Maximum: $118,000

This position follows a hybrid work model, requiring employees to report to their assigned office location at least three days per week. The remaining days may be worked remotely, depending on business needs. The headquarters location is in Bakersfield, CA.

Job Responsibilities

- Leads and oversees vegetation management operations and outside contractor work performance in a specific district or division.

- Works with some guidance to complete assignments and solves moderately complex problems. Participates in and often leads project teams.

- Communicates with peers, exchanging ideas or gathering information on the overall program plan and goals within a specific functional area of operations.

- Oversees quality assurance final reviews and contract drafts.

- Partners with leadership across lines of business to support decisions and meet business goals.

- Assists in implementing and creating new concepts, processes, and ideas to drive the success of the vegetation management program.

- Participates in public hearings, legal proceedings, or similar in support of or as the subject matter expert

- Contributes to the development of budget forecasts and business cases.

- Reviews funding and purchase orders associated with complex projects for supervisor approval

- Delivers on the program implementation plan.

- Contributes to the implementation and creation of new concepts, processes, and ideas to further vegetation management program advancement.

- Manages multiple programs and projects that support other lines of business.

- Manages internal quality observations, including Quality Assurance, Quality Verification, Work Verification, and Vegetation Management inspections.

- Manages environmental submissions of agency work and acts as a liaison.

- Manages emergency work, for example, for severe storms, wildfires, and power shutoff events.

- Reports out, provides updates and corrective actions, and holds daily huddles under the Lean Management model.

- Oversees vegetation management safety investigations and corrective action plans.

- Develops new and ad-hoc reports, summarizes findings and recommendations

Qualifications

Minimum:

- Bachelor’s degree in job-related discipline or equivalent experience - 2+ years of job-related experience

- ISA Arborist/Utility Specialist certification

- ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)

Desired:

- Knowledge of forestry and/or utility vegetation management concepts, methods, and techniques.

- Good verbal and written communication skills. Excellent negotiation and collaboration skills, as well as diplomacy and tact.

- Good organizational, time management, prioritization, and planning skills.

- Team collaboration skills.

- Good project and program management skills.

- Ability to assess and recommend based on strong technical knowledge.

- Adaptable to changing and evolving business processes

- Knowledge of the current utility and energy industry. Issues, trends, and political, economic, and social factors affecting the program.

- Ability to work within an environment that is heavily dependent on laws and regulations, and knowledge of how to interpret and apply them.

- Understands the basic organizational structure and how to utilize available resources.

- Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, etc.) and GIS applications.