Program Manager, Vegetation Management

Position Summary:

The OMS Field Services (FS) Vegetation Management (VM) Program Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for complex vegetation management programs supporting utility infrastructure. This position is accountable for the overall planning, execution, performance, and continuous improvement of assigned programs, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, financial performance, and client satisfaction. The Program Manager exercises broad decision-making authority while leading cross-functional teams, developing trusted client partnerships, and directing program strategies that achieve client objectives and OMS business goals.

Essential Functions:

·        Define, lead, and execute comprehensive vegetation management program strategies that meet client objectives, regulatory requirements, timelines, and budgets.

·        Lead, manage, train, and grow program teams, including OMS staff and staff-augmented field crews, providing training, performance evaluations, and leadership development.

·        Serve as the primary liaison with client stakeholders, maintaining strong client relationships through transparent communication, issue resolution, and alignment on goals.

·        Execute client vegetation management plans in coordination with client supervisors and internal OMS teams.

·        Oversee workforce planning, resource allocation, and scheduling to balance operational capacity with program demands and regulatory deadlines.

·        Assist Deputy Program Manager with forecasting program budgets, contracts, invoicing, mileage, accounts receivable, and time and attendance as needed; prepare reports for OMS senior leadership.

·        Collaborate with fellow Program Managers and Deputy Program Managers to manage contracts, budgets, and shared client initiatives.

·        Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations (including NERC, OSHA, Cal/OSHA ANSI A300, and environmental laws) through audits, reporting, and corrective actions as required by the client.

·        Coordinate with cross-functional teams including the OMS FS VM Project Management Office (PMO), finance, human resources, safety, and senior leadership.

·        Support expansion of existing vegetation management programs and growth into broader utility initiatives for current and new clients.

·        Collaborate with all PMO team members to implement tools, dashboards, and reporting frameworks to track progress, performance, risks, and dependencies across programs.

·        Utilize project management and technical tools such as Smartsheet, MS Project, Excel, GIS platforms (e.g., ArcGIS, Lemur), and client vegetation management systems.

·        Maintain OMS contractual requirements, including ensuring field team compliance related to client service deliverables related to safety, training and measured performance metrics.

·        Champion OMS's Health & Safety culture by leading by example, promoting safe work practices and supporting OMS H&S Safety Director in company and contractual safety compliance.,

·        Assist in financial health of the organization through budget planning, revenue forecasting, resource utilization, and risk management and risk exposure

·        Support claim mitigation strategies for client and company claims and legal matters by conducting investigations, documenting findings, and ensuring timely and accurate reporting.

·        Assist with and coordinate new employee onboarding, internal transfers, and offboarding processes to support operational continuity across assigned areas of operation.

·        Foster a culture of continuous improvement by staying current on industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory changes, and professional best practices through ongoing development and networking.

·        Assume additional responsibilities, consistent with the scope of the position, to support OMS and client operational objectives.

·        Acknowledge and participate in OMS H&S programs.

·        Duties will include completing H&S training.

·        Other duties as assigned by OMS or the client.

Qualifications:

·        Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Arboriculture, Environmental Science, Business, Project Management, or a related field.

·        Minimum of 5 years of experience in vegetation management, utility operations, consulting, or environmental services, 7 plus years in lieu of a degree

·        At least 2 years of experience in a supervisory, managerial, or program leadership role overseeing cross-functional teams.

·        Strong knowledge of utility vegetation management standards and regulatory frameworks (e.g., State and Federal Regulations, ANSI A300, NERC, OSHA, Cal/OSHA).

·        Demonstrated experience in program or project management, including budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, and resource allocation.

·        Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools; working knowledge of GIS systems and data workflows.

·        Excellent communication, interpersonal, and stakeholder engagement skills, including public-facing communication.

·        Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and travel to field sites as required.

·        Required to maintain a Class C driver’s license with a clean driving record, including participating in Employer Pull Notice Program (EPN), with DMV.

·        Conduct a background check, drug screening, and physical exam.

·        Must have a clean driving record.

Preferred:

·        Advanced degree (Master’s) and/or certifications such as PMP, Lean Six Sigma, ISA Certified Arborist, or Utility Specialist.

·        Seven (7) or more years of experience leading large-scale, multi-workstream programs in utilities, consulting, or environmental services.

·        Experience with data analytics, dashboards, and predictive modeling for vegetation risk assessment.

·        Familiarity with emerging technologies such as LiDAR, AI-driven monitoring tools, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

·        Leadership in safety programs, including CPR/First Aid or OSHA 30-hour certification.

·        Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in team leadership and program delivery.

Working Conditions:

Environmental Factors: Indoor and outdoor conditions; exposure to heat, cold, potentially hazardous chemicals, toxic materials; work on/walk on slippery or uneven and potentially mountainous terrain. Noise level is usually moderate. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk, hear, stand, sit during extended periods of time, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch lift, push, pull, walk for extended periods of time, walk long distances and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Ability to perform tasks during a typical 8 hour workday. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & DISCLAIMER

OMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This position description is intended to convey the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.