Senior Ops Supervisor, Vegetation Management Distribution

About us

National Grid is seeking a Senior Operations Supervisor, Vegetation Management Distribution in Leominster, Massachusetts

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.

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 New York, Massachusetts (also includes Transmission assets in New Hampshire and Vermont). Major program components include annual cycle pruning, hazard tree mitigation programs, customer/new business work, system reliability projects, transmission side-line work and the Integrated Vegetation Management program (IVM).

The Transmission Forestry Supervisor will assist in achieving overall Department goals to optimize transmission system safety and reliability performance by developing and implementing right-of-way and substation vegetation management programs. Candidate will supervise all daily activities of Transmission Forestry contractor crews across the Division.

Key Accountabilities

• Execution of a Vegetation Management sourcing model that utilizes external resources to deliver the annual Transmission workplan in accordance with the Asset Management Strategy. Through inter-departmental coordination, provide professional, technical and legal input in support of all NGRID strategies and objectives.
• Provide input to the Vegetation Strategy group relative to annual planning, budgeting and auditing of the National Grid right-of-way vegetation management program.  
• Support the Vegetation Strategy group in obtaining all required permits and delivering public notifications as required for herbicide application.  
• Plan, schedule and coordinate all 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 FAC-003-4 FERC requirements. Perform aerial surveys on an annual basis.
• Evaluate Forestry contractor performance relative to NGRID safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements. Perform “Effective Safety Discussions” (ESD) and “Compliance Assessments” (CA) per the agreed monthly targets. 
• Ensure that the Forestry workplan is delivered in accordance with the annual budget and schedule requirements as determined by the appropriate Jurisdiction.
• 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.  Continually review and evaluate the effectiveness of both minor and major events – implement improvements as appropriate.
• Through external public relations, deliver and encourage public Forestry education. 
• 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 and self-motivation.

Qualifications

• B.S or A.S. degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, or related field.  
• Preference is at least 5 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.  
• Must be certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
• 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