FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This job is responsible for corporate oversight and the day-to-day compliance operations of the Vegetation Management Program throughout the FirstEnergy territory.

Responsibilities:

• Demonstrating and directing a solid commitment to all aspects of safety. 
• Acts as Transmission Vegetation Management Compliance Champion by being a subject matter expert and coach for relevant FERC, NERC, ReliabilityFirst, and Public Utility Commission standards, requirements, and compliance related issues.
• Directly support Distribution Vegetation Management Compliance Champion and maintain the ability to serve as distribution compliance alternate, when necessary. 
• Responsible for assisting and advising staff and management on compliance related topics and acting as liaison with Compliance & Regulated Services.
• Responsible for monitoring, assigning, and coordinating business unit compliance reliability actions tracked in compliance databases, including self-certification, data submittals, and internal controls.
• Support the implementation of the Vegetation Management Program and ensure all required reporting and documentation meets the requirements of NERC FAC-003 Vegetation Management Standard, including overseeing the execution of the annual vegetation management work plan and all associated documentation.
• Understanding and utilizing Vegetation Management requirements and Best Management Practices, including but not limited to:
• NERC FAC-003 Vegetation Management Standard
• National Electrical Safety Code
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 516-2003
• American National Standards Institute – ANSI Z133.1 – Arboricultural Operations – Safety Requirements
• American National Standards Institute – ANSI A300 (Part 1) For Tree Care Operations – Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Maintenance – Standard Practices (Pruning)
• Utility Pruning of Trees Best Management Practices – Special Companion publication to the ANSI A300 (Part 1)
• American National Standards Institute – ANSI A300 (Part 7) For Tree Care Operations – Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Maintenance – Standard Practices (Integrated Vegetation Management a. Utility Rights-of-way)
• Utility Arborist Association Best Management Practices – Field Guide to Closed Chain of Custody for Herbicides
• American National Standards Institute – ANSI A300 (Part 9) For Tree Care Operations – Tree, Shrub and Other Woody Plant Maintenance – Standard Practices (Tree Risk Assessment a. Tree Structure Assessment)
• Tree Risk Assessment Best Management Practices – Tree Risk Assessment Companion publication to the ANSI A300 (Part 9)
• OSHA Safety Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.269 
• Understanding of overhead and underground construction methods, maintenance practices, overhead and underground construction standards, rates, procedures, and service practices
• Develop and provide operational reports related to compliance and internal controls of Transmission Vegetation Management work using Microsoft Office Products such as Excel, TOAD Data Point, and Power BI reports.
• Assisting in compliance related activities, including but not limited to, internal and external audits of the Work Management System, Vegetation Management System (VGMS, timesheet application), and Power BI reports.
• Work with other Company Compliance Champions, Compliance Specialists, Regulatory Reporting, External Affairs, Legal, and other business units as required.
• Ensuring system-wide work practices are followed in accordance with all related specifications, policies, and procedures of the vegetation management program. This includes clearly understanding and implementing work standards in accordance with Federal, State, Local, and Municipality standards.
• Coordinate on/offboarding tasks, FERC Sensitive Information (FSI), internal audit reviews related to data and access, and user access monitoring via Active Directories (AD), Regulatory Access Authorization Database (RAAD), CATSWeb, FileNet, and Forefront Identity Management (FIM) Distribution Groups for business applications and information.
• Identify compliance concerns for resolution.
• Understand root cause analysis and can identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Complete technical writing, reviewing, and editing of policies, procedures, processes, specifications, and documents used in vegetation management, and communicate information to staff.
• Prepare written responses and perform document reviews for legal hearings, testimonies, litigation, and public utility commission offices.
• Track current and past legal cases and clarifications for Vegetation Management.
• Maintain document control, which includes working with Communications Department and other business units, while enforcing the corporate record retention policy.
• Lead and maintain organization of SharePoint content and information.
• Perform audits, reviews, and monitor access controls and training requirements for employees and contractors as required.
• Support storm restoration activities, as required, including 24-hour on-call availability.
• Attend meetings for the development, communication, training, and implementation of compliance procedures and processes, including Compliance Champion Meetings, Staff calls, Contractor calls, training preparations, etc.
• Assist with vegetation management initiatives and activities related to operations, technology, and contract strategies.
• Assisting in performing field observations or field inspections, as required.
• This position may require periodic travel and overnight stays (25%-50%) throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and New York.

Qualifications:

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in related discipline (agriculture, environmental, business, or law), or associate degree in related discipline (agriculture, environmental, business, or law) along with 6 years of related job experience, or High School Diploma (or GED) along with 10 years related work experience. Related work experience is utility vegetation or right of way management.
• Work experience in compliance, legal research, review of regulations and legislation is strongly desired.
• ISA Certified Arborist/Utility Specialist and/or Juris Doctorate degree preferred.
• 6 years or more of field experience in utility forestry operations preferred.
• Strong background in urban forestry, plant identification, hazard tree evaluation, pesticide applications and communication skills.
• Extensive experience writing specifications, policies, procedures, or processes, required.
• Ability to communicate and present himself/herself in a professional manner.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated public speaking and presentation skills.
• Strong Interpersonal skills to gain cooperation with internal and external customers.
• Be able to effectively handle conflict and testify in legal matters.
• Excellent note taking and organizational skills, and the demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Technical writing skills and experience a plus.
• Ability to understand and apply knowledge of Federal, State, Local, and Municipality regulatory requirements.
• Full proficiency with PC software applications which include Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneNote, and MS Teams. Microsoft Access a plus.
• Proficiency in GIS View, VGMS, Power BI, CATSWeb, Filenet/Content Navigator, and Power On computer systems a plus.
• Must be self-motivated and able to multi-task with competing priorities, provide both internal and external quality customer service and demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
• Possess leadership qualities that allow one to provide effective guidance to others, coach others in effective decision making and facilitate meetings.
• Understand the Company’s Accident Prevention Handbook and possess the ability to work safely.
• Must have a personal vehicle to commute to various facilities and locations as required, possessing a valid driver’s license.
• Possess the physical ability to perform field surveys and inspections in all weather conditions.
• Ability to build relationships and credibility, and provide staff support to management and higher levels of professionals, as needed.
• Demonstrated understanding of vegetation management compliance, policies, and procedures in addition to the willingness to teach, explain, and implement with others.