Principal, Vegetation Program Manager

Requisition ID # 166197 

Job Category: Project / Program Management 

Job Level: Manager/Principal

Business Unit: Operations - Other

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Oakland

Position Summary

The Vegetation Program Manager oversees Vegetation Management operations in the VM Portfolio Management team, ensuring electric system safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance with state and federal rules. The incumbent may also serve as a subject matter expert and provide guidance and education or influence 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. This role reports directly to the Director of Portfolio Management and supports strategic initiatives related to commitments, financials, and special projects.

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.  

A reasonable salary range is:
Bay Area Minimum: $128,000
Bay Area Maximum: $218,000
&/OR
California Minimum: $122,000
California Maximum: $207,000

•    This job is also eligible to participate in PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.
•    This position follows a hybrid work model, requiring employees to report to their assigned office location (Oakland or San Ramon) at least one day per week. The remaining days may be worked remotely, depending on business needs. The headquarters will be in either Oakland or San Ramon. 

Job Responsibilities

•    Works independently to solve unique and complex problems, anticipating issues and developing innovative solutions.
•    Implements and creates new concepts, processes, and ideas to advance the VM program.
•    Manages major cross-functional projects and initiatives. Organizes and leads cross-functional project teams to influence utility, regulatory, and industry decisions.
•    Represents PG&E as a recognized subject matter expert in regulatory and industry forums.
•    Demonstrates strategic leadership with internal stakeholders to support company goals. Collaborates across the organization and with other departments and teams to ensure alignment of goals to support the program.
•    Communicates complex ideas to diverse audiences (PG&E, other utilities, public entities, community organizations, etc.) using various media. Guides complex industry regulatory and compliance environment and considerations.
•    Provides direction and guidance to lesser qualified PMs and various contractors.
•    Creates new and complex data models to facilitate business decisions.
•    Develop new or revise existing scopes of work for contractors such as foresters, land planners, etc., to ensure compliance standards and deliverables are established.
•    Leads considerable statewide efforts on behalf of PG&E to resolve issues and conflicts or to educate other parties.
•    Leads large and complex efforts working with outside entities on behalf of PG&E, such as regulatory rulemaking. (examples: CPUC Fire Safety OIR or Public Resource Code Major Wood Exemption).
•    Leads efforts to resolve system-level issues or conflicts with Local, State, & Federal Agencies and governmental entities such as CalFIre, CalTrans, USFS, Park Service, etc.
•    Develops and provides significant input to PG&E leadership and other utilities with similar programs, industry, and regulatory decision-makers to influence marketplace and regulatory strategies impacting PG&E and its customers.
•    Uses an understanding of the business to help drive strategic decision-making and to recommend operational improvements.
•    Acts as a subject matter expert. May participate in public hearings, legal proceedings, or similar in this capacity.
•    Develop budget forecasts and business cases. Analyzes support for identifying budget variances and solutions to address.

Qualifications

Minimum:

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

Desired:

•    Master’s degree preferred.
•    ISA Arborist/Utility Specialist certification.
•    PMP Certification.
•    Exceptional knowledge of forestry and utility vegetation management concepts, methods, and techniques. Demonstrated subject matter expertise.
•    Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Exceptional negotiation and collaboration skills.
•    Ability to communicate findings and recommendations to various levels of management. Exceptional organizational, time management, prioritization, and planning skills.
•    Mastery of project and program management concepts, methods, and techniques. Ability to lead large complex projects across the line of business.
•    Adaptable to changing and evolving business processes.
•    Expertise in business and data analysis.
•    Expert process improvement skills and creative thinking.
•    Expert knowledge of current utility and energy industry issues, trends, and political, economic, and social issues affecting the market.
•    Exceptional ability to work in an environment heavily dependent on laws and regulations and the expertise to interpret and apply them.
•    Expert knowledge and deep understanding of business and industry drivers. Expert knowledge of the Program.
•    Proven ability to create compelling business cases based on complex business environments and inputs.
•    Expert with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)