Duke Energy Corporation
Vegetation Management Program Manager/Sr. Vegetation Management Program Manager
Duke Energy Corporation, Plainfield, Indiana, United States, 46768
Vegetation Management Program Manager/Sr. Vegetation Management Program Manager
Duke Energy Corporation
Important Application Submission Information To ensure your application is received before the posting expires, submit by 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
More than a career – a chance to make a difference in people’s lives. Build an exciting, rewarding career with us and help millions of people every day. Join the friendly work environment, opportunities for growth, recognition, competitive pay and benefits.
Preferred location The preferred location for this position is Plainfield, IN. The hiring manager may also consider Noblesville, Carmel, Huntington, Wabash, New Castle and Avon, IN. The exact location will be determined at the time of offer based on business needs.
Position Summary This is the intermediate level of the VM classification hierarchy. Employees at this level have responsibility for contractor management and oversight with general supervision. Incumbents develop advanced skills and work with greater independence, applying fundamental concepts and procedures to fairly complex, varied work. Manage IVM programs including multi‑circuit planned maintenance, system‑level herbicide applications, reactive customer‑requested work and hazard tree programs to drive overall program strategy of improved customer reliability and regulatory compliance.
Strategic Focus
Manage highly visible, community‑sensitive VM projects with support as needed from Management and other VM personnel.
Work with internal engineering and VM personnel to strategically improve system reliability.
Collaborate with local operation and maintenance personnel to address local system needs impacted by vegetation.
Support VM organization and regulatory teams to manage customer relations from a state regulatory basis.
Responsibilities
Develop the vegetation management work plan and associated budget for the designated maintenance area/zone, ensuring compliance with Federal and State T&D vegetation management standards and regulatory requirements.
Monitor the performance of contract resources to assure safe work practices and adherence to vegetation management procedures, standards and productivity expectations. Lead area VM crews during emergency storm operations.
Respond to customer and community concerns associated with VM and Herbicide Programs, and develop communication plans with key stakeholders.
Work with government agencies, including DOT and Environmental, to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and to communicate area vegetation management plans and procedures to community stakeholders.
Monitor work plan completion progress, review and approve invoices for contractor work, monitor unit costs, and adjust work plans and expenditures as necessary.
Perform regular patrols of transmission or distribution rights‑of‑way to identify issues that would impact safe and reliable line operation.
Manage expenditures within responsibility area to meet budget targets and forecast changes, implementing adjustments as needed.
Coordinate construction clearing activities for construction projects in the area of responsibility.
Required/Basic Qualifications – Vegetation Management Program Manager
Bachelor’s degree with 1‑3 years of electrical or VM experience
Associate’s degree with 3‑7 years of electrical or VM experience
High school diploma with 3‑10 years of VM or utility experience working in distribution and/or transmission
ISA Certified Arborist
Pesticide Applicator License
Valid driver’s license
Required/Basic Qualifications – Senior Vegetation Management Program Manager
Associate’s degree in forestry, engineering, or another technical field
7 years of related work experience, or in lieu of a degree, 10 years of related experience
ISA Certified Arborist
Utility Arborist Certification of at least 3 years
Pesticide Applicator License
Valid driver’s license
Desired Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in technical, engineering, or forestry disciplines
Additional 3 years of related work experience
Project Management Professional certification or equivalent GIS, forester, arborist, or utility specialist credentials
Additional Qualifications
Working knowledge of how VM affects safety and reliability of the electrical system
Registered Professional Forester
PMI knowledge and project‑related experience
Familiarity with GIS databases and other geo‑spatial systems
Construction Management knowledge
Demonstrated ability to implement VM methods, processes and procedures and train others
Strong organizational, time‑management, communication, customer‑relations and program evaluation skills
Working Conditions
Field – work will be performed from both field and onsite locations after onboarding. Field employees should live within 45 minutes of the designated Duke Energy facility.
Travel Requirements 25‑50%
Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
Legal and Equal‑Opportunity Statement Duke Energy is an equal‑employment opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any other legally protected status.
See our EEO policy.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Important Application Submission Information To ensure your application is received before the posting expires, submit by 11:59 PM on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
More than a career – a chance to make a difference in people’s lives. Build an exciting, rewarding career with us and help millions of people every day. Join the friendly work environment, opportunities for growth, recognition, competitive pay and benefits.
Preferred location The preferred location for this position is Plainfield, IN. The hiring manager may also consider Noblesville, Carmel, Huntington, Wabash, New Castle and Avon, IN. The exact location will be determined at the time of offer based on business needs.
Position Summary This is the intermediate level of the VM classification hierarchy. Employees at this level have responsibility for contractor management and oversight with general supervision. Incumbents develop advanced skills and work with greater independence, applying fundamental concepts and procedures to fairly complex, varied work. Manage IVM programs including multi‑circuit planned maintenance, system‑level herbicide applications, reactive customer‑requested work and hazard tree programs to drive overall program strategy of improved customer reliability and regulatory compliance.
Strategic Focus
Manage highly visible, community‑sensitive VM projects with support as needed from Management and other VM personnel.
Work with internal engineering and VM personnel to strategically improve system reliability.
Collaborate with local operation and maintenance personnel to address local system needs impacted by vegetation.
Support VM organization and regulatory teams to manage customer relations from a state regulatory basis.
Responsibilities
Develop the vegetation management work plan and associated budget for the designated maintenance area/zone, ensuring compliance with Federal and State T&D vegetation management standards and regulatory requirements.
Monitor the performance of contract resources to assure safe work practices and adherence to vegetation management procedures, standards and productivity expectations. Lead area VM crews during emergency storm operations.
Respond to customer and community concerns associated with VM and Herbicide Programs, and develop communication plans with key stakeholders.
Work with government agencies, including DOT and Environmental, to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations and to communicate area vegetation management plans and procedures to community stakeholders.
Monitor work plan completion progress, review and approve invoices for contractor work, monitor unit costs, and adjust work plans and expenditures as necessary.
Perform regular patrols of transmission or distribution rights‑of‑way to identify issues that would impact safe and reliable line operation.
Manage expenditures within responsibility area to meet budget targets and forecast changes, implementing adjustments as needed.
Coordinate construction clearing activities for construction projects in the area of responsibility.
Required/Basic Qualifications – Vegetation Management Program Manager
Bachelor’s degree with 1‑3 years of electrical or VM experience
Associate’s degree with 3‑7 years of electrical or VM experience
High school diploma with 3‑10 years of VM or utility experience working in distribution and/or transmission
ISA Certified Arborist
Pesticide Applicator License
Valid driver’s license
Required/Basic Qualifications – Senior Vegetation Management Program Manager
Associate’s degree in forestry, engineering, or another technical field
7 years of related work experience, or in lieu of a degree, 10 years of related experience
ISA Certified Arborist
Utility Arborist Certification of at least 3 years
Pesticide Applicator License
Valid driver’s license
Desired Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in technical, engineering, or forestry disciplines
Additional 3 years of related work experience
Project Management Professional certification or equivalent GIS, forester, arborist, or utility specialist credentials
Additional Qualifications
Working knowledge of how VM affects safety and reliability of the electrical system
Registered Professional Forester
PMI knowledge and project‑related experience
Familiarity with GIS databases and other geo‑spatial systems
Construction Management knowledge
Demonstrated ability to implement VM methods, processes and procedures and train others
Strong organizational, time‑management, communication, customer‑relations and program evaluation skills
Working Conditions
Field – work will be performed from both field and onsite locations after onboarding. Field employees should live within 45 minutes of the designated Duke Energy facility.
Travel Requirements 25‑50%
Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)
Legal and Equal‑Opportunity Statement Duke Energy is an equal‑employment opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or any other legally protected status.
See our EEO policy.
#J-18808-Ljbffr