Director of Vegetation & Contract Resources

Southside Electric Cooperative is seeking a creative thinker who uses current technology and up-to-date best business practices to enhance the vegetation management program. This contract and vegetation management professional will be responsible for all interaction and coordination of contract construction crews, contract vegetation management crews, and other contract support crews at the Cooperative. The Director is expected to strategically analyze data related to vegetation and construction activities and recommend process enhancements to meet financial and operational objectives.

If you thrive in an environment where you can lead and be part of a dynamic team of professionals, the Director of Vegetation & Contract Resources is a rewarding opportunity to serve our members, build and maintain partner relationships, and strengthen our infrastructure. Here are just some of the things you'll do on a day-to-day basis:

Vegetation Management

• Ability to analyze vegetation and reliability data and make recommendations to maintain reliability and financial goals related to vegetation management.
• Support the Vegetation Management Team by providing field crew oversight, direct, one-on-one member interactions and other tactical activity as required on a routine basis.
• Coordinate all contract crews providing Right-of-Way Side-Trimming, Brush Clearing, Hazard Tree removal, Herbicide Application and Vegetation Management activity.
• Assist VP of Engineering and Operations in setting strategic direction as it related to vegetation management.

Contract Resources

• Coordinate, review, maintain, and modify all work contracts describing work activities carried out by contract labor for the Cooperative.
• Coordinate the release, negotiation, and finalization of all work contracts under his/her oversight.
• Arbitrate all contractor deficiencies and deviations from contract specifications.
• Review and analyze contract labor costs as compared to Cooperative labor costs with the end goal of being able to suggest when to apply contract labor to various projects.
• Participate in the annual Engineering & Operations budget including all required annual contract outlays.
• Ensure that all contract storm invoices for any crews under the position's direction are provided in accordance with FEMA requirements.
• Maintain an active relationship with all contract labor providers and ensure that an open, fair, and mutually beneficial relationship is maintained at all times.
• Review all required permits, insurance policies, and other special requirements as required by various jobs assigned to contract personnel.
• Secure necessary permits as may be required or ensure that the appropriate contractor has secured such permits prior to construction.
• Be familiar with bid documents, bid management, bid bonds, insurance coverages, and other support functions for project bidding.

Construction Resources

• Coordinate all contract crews including, but not limited to, the following: Work Plan Construction crews, Pole Replacement crews, Underground Subdivision crews, Overhead or Underground Service crews, Maintenance Construction crews, Emergency Restoration crews, and Transmission Construction & Maintenance crews.
• Coordinate with various Cooperative departments including Engineering, Operations, Warehousing, Purchasing and Finance to ensure that all construction projects are constructed to specifications and within expected budgetary and schedule requirements.
• Assist with final inspection of all Work Plan and construction work orders as required.
• Assist with the deployment of emergency contract restoration and emergency right-of-way crews during major storms.

Leadership and Accountability

• Supervise and coordinate the daily activities of the Contractor Supervisor and Vegetation Management Supervisor.
• Monitor and enforce all Cooperative safety rules and regulations as they relate to contract employees.
• Understand and manage various assignments related to complex outage restorations.
• Manage multiple projects, assignments, and personnel in a hectic fast-paced environment.
• Provide monthly summaries to the Vice President of Engineering & Operations for presentation to the Executive Management Team and Board of Directors.
• Give final approval of all payments based on adherence to contract specifications.
• Provide support for the System Operations Center (SOC) as required and participate in outage restoration support as needed.
• Interview and select employees and conduct performance reviews.

Member Accountability

• Address member concerns with contractor performance in support of the Contractor Supervisor and Vegetation Management Supervisor including field visits and direct member interactions as required.
• Review and resolve all complaints regarding interaction of contract labor and the membership.

What You Bring

Education & Certification

• Four-year degree in Forestry, Business Management, or related field required.
• Contract management certificate(s) or training preferred.

Experience

• Sound knowledge of an electric distribution and transmission system.
• At least 5 years of experience in construction and maintenance of electric distribution and transmission systems including construction, vegetation, or combination of both functions. May be reduced to 2 years if accompanied by bachelor's degree in related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in a position of supervision preferred.
• Contract development and administration including required RUS bidding and contracting requirements.
• Thorough understanding of RUS construction specifications.
• Thorough understanding of RUS, ISA, and other vegetation management specifications and best practices.
• Ability to interpret construction design drawings, plan & profile drawings, and survey plats.
• Excellent people skills, public speaking skills, and the ability to work with the public, Cooperative members, media, and internal team members.
• Understanding of the Cooperative's easement, design, construction, right-of-way clearing and right-of-way maintenance standards.
• Sound knowledge of construction practices and procedures including both overhead and underground distribution and overhead transmission designs.
• Thorough understanding of the Cooperative's safety procedures and their field application.
• Familiarity with construction materials and warehousing methods.
• Sound knowledge of the equipment and fleet required to perform line construction and vegetation management activities including familiarity with specifications, preventive maintenance, and repair of such equipment.
• Ability to function without supervision.

What We Offer

Since 1937 Southside Electric Cooperative has been serving our members and our communities. Our employees live, work, go to church, and volunteer in these same communities. The Cooperative Difference is how we treat our members, how we collaborate, and how we build community. It is what makes us who we are.

We offer a competitive salary and a benefits package that is nearly unmatched in this area. We offer the following:

• Participation in fully funded NRECA RS Pension Plan after one year of service.
• SEC funded 401k after one full year of service.
• Health Insurance - We pay 100% of premiums for employees and 95% of the premiums for family members through Anthem HealthKeepers. Our KeyCare plan for a family is less than $200 per month, with most employees well-served by the HealthKeepers plan that is less than $50 per month.
• Anthem Dental and Vision - We pay 100% of the premiums for employees AND their families.
• Annual HSA contribution of $1,750 for those with employee-only coverage and $3,000 to those with any employee health insurance plan.
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement
• SEC paid employee life insurance (3x annual salary).
• Low-cost supplemental insurance for employees and their dependents.
• Generous tuition reimbursement plan with eligibility after just six months.
• Premium access to all LinkedIn Learning programs at no cost to you.
• LifeLock Premier for employees (family coverage available at a nominal charge).

Documents to establish identity and employment eligibility are required. Offers of employment are conditional upon a negative alcohol and controlled substance test. All SEC employees are subject to random drug tests throughout the year.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER