Vegetation Management & Wildfire Mitigation Manager - Seattle City Light

Seattle, WA, United States

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation's largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years, we have worked hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Seattle City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.

The Transmission and Distribution Field Operations Division is hiring a Manager 3 to lead the Vegetation Management and Wildfire Mitigation group. This role is responsible for the vegetation management program which includes inspection, clearance and maintenance of power lines, rights-of-way and substations. In addition, this role will facilitate SCL’s wildfire management plan, identify the scope and scale of the program, create a task force and oversee the implementation. This is a critical position to advance these programs that protect our infrastructure and maintain operational efficiencies, while enhancing community satisfaction and upholding our culture of commitment to environmental stewardship.

Enjoy the scenic landscapes of the Pacific Northwest while supporting teams from Boundary Dam in the northeast corner of Washington, to the Skagit Hydroelectric Project in the North Cascade Mountains, and the Cedar Falls and Tolt projects in King County. The teams include represented staff and contractors across a variety of work groups comprised of high voltage, equipment operators and rights-of-way maintenance employees. The scope spans 668 transmission circuit miles, 2607 distribution circuit miles, 16 major substations, four generating sites and two service centers. This work is regulated by NERC and FERC.

This position will report to the Director, Transmission and Distribution Field Operations.

Responsibilities:

Maintain all aspects of the vegetation management program inclusive of power line clearance, urban forestry, and landscape operations.

Maintain all aspects of the wildfire mitigation program; annually reevaluate the existing Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy (WRRS).

Ensure alignment with Washington State Department of Natural Resources and adherence of NERC and FERC compliance requirements.

Implement the Transmission Vegetation Management Plan according to  NERC FAC-003-3.

Engage in community wildfire safety outreach in partnership with corporate communications.

Participate on the Washington State Urban and Community Forestry Council and other industry working groups.

Develop a communication plan providing a regular cadence of progress reports to inform key stakeholders of program status updates, project deliverables and milestones.

Provide subject matter expertise over the bid process and vendor contract negotiations for procurement of external services and materials.

Manage all budget components including analyzing workplans to understand resource needs, financial  forecasting, expense tracking, auditing and reporting.

Implement continuous improvement methods to identify gaps, reduce exposure, measure effectiveness and strengthen program outcomes.

Attract, train, and develop high-performing teams and team members. Exemplify managerial courage by setting clear expectations, engaging in critical conversations, actively coaching and developing employees, upholding safety standards, and establishing trust.

Manage labor relations in partnership with City Light’s Labor Relations team and become familiar with all union contracts represented within your Work Unit.

Establish partnerships coordinating with multiple city, state and federal agencies such as Fire, Police, Transportation and CARE within the city. The State of Washington department of natural resources along with federal land-management agencies.

Required Qualifications: In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has: Education:  Bachelor's degree in forestry, agricultural science, natural resources, environmental science, construction management, engineering, business administration, public administration, or related field (or a combination of related education, training, skills and experience  providing an equivalent background required to perform the work, to be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Experience:  Seven years of industry experience including five  years of progressively responsible supervisory or management level responsibilities.

Certification/License:  Current Washington State Driver's License.

Desired Qualifications:

The ideal candidate has experience managing direct reports and b uilding cross-functional teams across multiple disciplines. Skilled in developing a diverse workforce, this person leads by example, providing guidance and motivation in an environment of change.

You will be successful if you also have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

Extensive knowledge of the electric utility industry and applicable federal, state and local regulations and public sector organizational practices.

Technical expertise in vegetation management and wildfire mitigation.

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to manage conflict resolution.

Strong communication skills, ability to deliver program objectives and influence change.

Problem solving skills and experience streamlining processes to achieve operational excellence.

Experience managing crews that build and maintain a large network distribution system.

Knowledge and understanding of NERC FAC-003-3.

Experience with operational budgeting procedures, procurement and contract administration.

Desired Continuous Education – Current Certification:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Certification, Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS), or other fire science and safety credentials.

Advanced Project Management or Project Management Professional certification by the Project Management Institute.

International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification.

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice .

Total compensation and relocation packages are competitive and depend upon qualifications and experience. The full salary range for this position is $119,955.60  to $179,902.08 annually.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement

A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Who May Apply : This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications.  Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance , SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3 . A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020 . Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans .

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: http://www.seattle.gov/light/ .

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