Clearing Manager

Position – Status

CLEARING MANAGER – RFT

Who Can Apply

MEA Employees & the General Public

Posting Date

March 21, 2024

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Department

Clearing

Annually

$102,980 Min DOE

Grade

12

Union Representation

N/A

Hours of Work

8AM-5PM

Work Location

Palmer, AK

PURPOSE

This position manages the Association’s forestry and vegetation management program.  Direct and monitor clearing maintenance crews as well as contractor crews.  Coordinate member-initiated requests and assist members with evaluation of trees that may be hazardous to member’s services or to the Association’s system.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

1.     Supervise the daily activities of the Right-of-Way Clearing crews including management directives, planning, scheduling and assigning work, developing and overseeing the vegetation management plan, approving timesheets, approving overtime and determining techniques to be used and equipment needs.  Directs personnel to perform all aspects of the Association’s vegetation management program.  Assures all work is performed in compliance with applicable permits and within the boundaries of the Association’s easements.

2.     Manage the Association’s vegetation management program to ensure system reliability is not impacted.  Inspects easements before and after clearing activities to identify hazard trees or potential problems for members.

3.     Model professional behavior among supervised employees.  Evaluates, encourages, and coaches employees.

4.     Informs employees regarding matters of the Association via face-to-face meetings, email or other forms of communication.

5.     Manage performance issues and recommends/implements disciplinary action for positions supervised as outlined in the Association’s policies.

6.     Perform frequent field checks adhering to established standards, codes, practices, and safety requirements.

7.     Lead the interview and selection of job applicants for all positions supervised.

8.     Recommend and participate in training for employee development.

9.     Investigate member complaints and concerns in relation to forestry and/or vegetation management.

10.  Investigate accidents working collaboratively with management and the Safety Department.

11.  Recommend projects to be put to bid.  Prepare and review contracts, conduct bid openings, recommend contract awards, and review contract invoices for accuracy.  Perform project manager functions for all vegetation contracts.  Inspect contract work to assure compliance with Association’s vegetation management standards.

12.  Provide input on short- and long-term work plans.

13.  Manage the annual budget and track budgetary expenditures throughout the year.

14.  Evaluate equipment needs and collaborate with Senior Manager of Operations to budget for replacement equipment budgets for replacement equipment.  Recommend equipment and methods used in connection with the vegetation management program.

15.  Collaborate with all internal departments to achieve the Association’s mission.  

16.  Maintain a professional working relationship in all interactions with internal and external entities.  Interact with internal and external stakeholders in providing clearing education.

17.  Work safely around energized power lines as well as planting and maintaining appropriate vegetation in and around the Association’s utility lines and easements.

18.  Perform duties in Association’s Oil Spill and Control Plan.

19.  Integral member of the Association’s Emergency Response Team.  Responsible for duties as outlined in the Association’s Emergency Response Plan.

20.  Promotes a safety culture where safety is a value.  This culture is based on joint/individual engagement, ownership, and accountability regarding job safety and responsibility to perform work safely and adhere to safe work practices.

21.  Perform the essential functions of the position in a safe and efficient manner.

The above items are not intended to be all inclusive of the essential functions or requirements of this type of work as they are subject to change based on operating necessity.  The employee will also perform other related business duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Qualified candidates are required to have:

-         A high school diploma or equivalent.

-         Seven (7) years of progressively responsible and relevant experience preferably with an electric utility.

-         Experience in supervision of work groups or a lead position supervising work.

-         A valid driver’s license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Association’s Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Association’s insurance carrier at standard group rates.

Preference may be given to candidates with:

-         Prior experience in project management.

-         Prior experience and knowledge of land descriptions.

-         Formal post-secondary training in the removal of trees near energized lines.

-         Formal post-secondary education in forestry or training toward certification as an arborist.

-         Valid CPR certification.

-         Valid First Aid certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

·         Support a culture of safety excellence through active involvement in safety improvement and promote a sense of shared responsibility for safety.

·         Advanced knowledge of OSHA and NESC safety and code requirements and up-to-date techniques and procedures for vegetation management as well as the procedures for handling hazardous material encountered by the Association.

·         Advanced knowledge of RUS right-of-way specifications and utility vegetation management practices near energized power lines.

·         Knowledge of the operation of various equipment and hand tools (chainsaws, clippers and saws, etc.) necessary to perform clearing tasks.

·         Knowledge of basic math and statistics with the ability to utilize these functions on a daily basis.

·         Knowledge and skill in computers and Microsoft Office suite.

·         Knowledge of rope rigging, directionally falling trees, and tree health evaluation.

·         Advanced skill in relationship building.

·         Advanced skill in collaborative leadership and organizational management.

·         Advanced skill in customer service and supervision.

·         Skill in effective communication with diverse audiences.

·         Ability to read maps, staking sheets, work orders, specifications, and other technical documents.

·         Ability to communicate effectively with Association members and be r