Program Manager Vegetation Management

JOB TITLE: Program Mgr Vegetation Management
REQUISITION: DIS00WG
DEPARTMENT: Vegetation Management - Southeast Kansas & Southwest Missouri - Flexible on Evergy Location
LOCATION: Paola, KS
PAY RANGE: (Min-Mid)
Program Mgr Vegetation Management I:$54,400 - $68,000
Program Mgr Vegetation Management II: $66,600 - $83,200
Sr Program Mgr Vegetation Management: $$75,300 - $100,400
Lead Program Mgr Vegetation Management: $88,800 - $118,400

Scheduled Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with additional work hours as needed. Job requires on call duty and unscheduled work hours related to emergency events. Subject to change based on business needs.

Summary of Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
This position will report to the Manager of Distribution Vegetation Management. Provides oversight and coordination for the scheduled, non-scheduled & emergent vegetation management components of the distribution vegetation management program. This incumbent will have direct, daily contact with customers, landowners and governmental employees.

• Provide guidance and oversight to contractors for the completion of scheduled line clearance trimming. Will have direct contact with work planning and trimming vendors to prioritize, work and audit scheduled work.
• Lead the vegetation management assistance for distribution line construction projects. Includes a high degree of communication with customers, internal stake holders, and vegetation management contractors.
  • Ensure vegetation management aspects of project needs are met in a timely manner to maintain project schedule deadlines.
  • Participate as needed in pre-bid and/or pre-construction meetings to provide insight, cost estimates, etc. to the larger construction team.
    
  • Assign projects and work orders to vegetation management contractors, and coordinate with Manager vegetation management to balance capital and O&M needs.
• Perform site assessments of customer generated vegetation management requests to assure compliance with safety, permitting, reliability, and company policy. Includes a high degree of communication with customers, internal stake holders, and vegetation management contractors.
  • Collaborate with distribution vegetation management stakeholders to procure contractor resources necessary to efficiently perform customer generated work without sacrificing budget and/or interrupting scheduled vegetation management work.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders such as service centers, dispatching, community relations, and corporate communications on special projects.
• Work closely with Vegetation Manager to facilitate the implementation of company's vegetation management program to ensure a consistent customer experience.
• Must be willing to keep company Intent Statement top of mind when working with customers.
• Have knowledge of tree species (arboriculture) and the ability to present this information to our customers and landowners.
• Provide support to Managers and Senior Manager of Vegetation Management when needed.
• Support company safety culture and work to improve all safety related processes and procedures.
  

Education and Experience Requirements:
* Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of utility vegetation management experience, OR a minimum of five years utility vegetation management experience.
* ISA Certified Arborist certification is required within one year of hire.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
* Must possess excellent communications and interpersonal skills to relay expectations, goals, and procedures to internal and external customers; and to effectively collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders.
* Must possess excellent prioritization skills including the ability to organize projects, schedules, and timing to efficiently coordinate a wide range of tasks.
* Must have thorough knowledge of current vegetation management tools and techniques to assist customers and other stakeholders effectively and efficiently.
* Must have the ability to prepare, manage, and communicate a variety of written and tabular reports.
* Must have knowledge of utility VM, local, state, and federal regulatory requirements specific to distribution vegetation management to ensure programs are in compliance and proper reporting is performed.

Working Conditions: Candidate must have the ability to perform the physical activities of the job. Candidate must have a satisfactory work record including commendable performance evaluations and good attendance. Candidate must have the ability to work alone in remote locations and in all elements including inclement weather. A significant amount of driving and foot patrolling line clearing operations is a major component of this position. Some overnight travel may be required.

Evergy has a clear mission - To empower a better future. Evergy chooses to live this Evergy has a clear mission - To empower a better future. Evergy chooses to live this mission by valuing People First. We know that to lead the responsible energy transition and provide affordable, reliable, and sustainable service to our customers and communities, we need a team with a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills. We are committed to building a team where everyone - regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status - has a voice and can bring their best every day. Evergy is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.

Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.