Senior Operations Supervisor

About us

National Grid is hiring a Senior Operations Supervisor for our Vegetation Management Transmission department in our Western NY service area                

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. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.

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 Upstate New York. Major program components include annual cycle pruning, hazard tree mitigation programs, customer/new business work, system reliability/capital construction projects, transmission side-line work, the Integrated Vegetation Management program (IVM), Substation Bare Ground Program and Natural Gas pipeline Vegetation Management.

The Transmission Forestry Supervisor will assist in achieving overall Department goals to optimize transmission system safety and reliability performance. This position will support the company’s capex program including large scale complex construction projects such as CLCPA.  This position will be integral in the project development, planning, permitting, and delivery of forestry work to prepare the corridor for new assets. 

Key Accountabilities

• Contribute to the development of EMCP, procurement strategies, contract specifications, and planning to support project development.
• Develop estimates and budgets for large- and small-scale capex.
• Execute and deliver complex ROW clearing, hazard tree removals, access development, herbicide work, and environmental mitigation measures.
• Ensure compliance with all local, state, federal and project specific regulatory requirements.
• Leverage knowledge of utility forestry, Article 7 and Part 102 requirements, utility procedures and best practices to assist project teams.  Take ownership of delivering projects safely, on time, compliant, and within budget.
• Participate and contribute during project meetings and walkdowns. 
• Provide forestry expertise in responding to inquiries from the public, regulators or government representatives.  Provide professional, technical and legal input in support of all NGRID strategies and objectives.
• Leverage capex work to increase the reliability and safety of the transmission and sub- transmission system.
• Support Environmental and permitting in obtaining all required permits. 
• Plan, schedule and coordinate 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 regulatory requirements including but not limited to FAC-003-5 FERC, article 7, part 102, and the 2005 PSC ROW Enhancement order.
• Evaluate Forestry contractor performance relative to NGRID safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• 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. 
• 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.  
• Manage forestry requirements for capex program. 
• Support Transmission Forestry Maintenance Operations as directed by Manager.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a two-year degree in Arboriculture, Urban Forestry, Forestry OR a related natural resources field OR related Line Clearance field experience. 
• 5 years’ experience in utility vegetation management is required, 10 is preferred (ROW Vegetation Managment strongly preferred).
• Ability to work alone in remote locations and travel varied terrain by 4WD, ATV, foot and helicopter is essential. 
• Knowledge of right-of-way vegetation management methods and procedures including pruning techniques and herbicide-based programs 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 driver’s license.
• Extensive experience utilizing GIS Software, basic Excel and/or other Vegetation Management monitoring applications preferred
• Experience in managing the work of a technical operations team
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of regulatory issues affecting the vegetation industry
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of project management methods and techniques
• Working knowledge of OSHA 29 CFR Part 1910.269 Line Clearance tree trimming operations, American National Standard A-300 & Z-133, National Electrical Safety Code 218 Tree trimming.

More Information

Salary: per year $103,000 - $121,000

National Grid utilizes an assessment that evaluates the job qualifications/characteristics using AI or statistically based scoring. For more information, please view NYC Local Law 144.

This position has a career path which provides for advancement opportunities within and across bands as you develop and evolve in the position; gaining experience, expertise and acquiring and applying technical skills. Candidates will be assessed and provided offers against the minimum qualifications of this role and their individual experience.

National Grid is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of protected class. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. National Grid maintains affirmative action programs for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Our employment practices are designed to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and with respect throughout the hiring process and during employment. National Grid complies with all applicable federal, state, and local anti-discrimination laws. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment, and we encourage a culture of respect for all.

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