Filsinger Energy Partners (FEP) is an energy advisory firm that leverages its extensive industry experience to deliver expert consulting services to utilities, energy companies, financial institutions, and state and federal governments. Our work spans generation, transmission and distribution operations, power market modeling, financial analysis, vegetation management, wildfire mitigation planning, and risk management services.

 

Duties and Responsibilities​

The Vegetation Management and Wildfire Mitigation Planning Director will work closely with an integrated team to perform a wide range of assignments for clients in the energy sector, including:

• Identify and implement opportunities for improving safety and report unsafe working conditions, work practices, and potential hazards.

• Assess field conditions and promote VM inspector daily safety briefs and lead overall VM team safety program initiatives.

• Work with project manager to create team schedules, assign staff, and finalize client deliverable deadlines.

• Perform field shadowing as required for professional development of VM inspection team.

• Plan and assist project leads in conducting vegetation management field inspections for electric facilities using various arboricultural tools and prepare detailed scientific reports for key stakeholders.

• Review and edit technical reports including recommendations and observations to be presented to client.

• Identification of electric transmission, substation, and distribution facilities. 

• Knowledge of vegetation/conductor clearance requirements for various utilities based on the utilities IVM protocols as well as state and federal requirements.

• Identify hazard trees that threaten electric facilities using tree risk assessment principles and report conditions to the client and/or other parties as may be required.

• Utilizes technical knowledge when reviewing VM team inspections for accuracy and to determine what information is important to be communicated to the client.

• Participate in discussions with client (s) as needed to gain detailed knowledge of all VM inspection protocols and assist in communicating inspection results to client.

• Participate in in-person utility employee and contractor meetings to gain in-depth understanding of utility vegetation management and other wildfire mitigation strategies and effectiveness of execution initiatives.

• Develop key observations from deep-dive sessions with utilities and field inspection results.

• Review utilities’ wildfire mitigation plans and provide observations.

• Assist in drafting wildfire mitigation plans for clients.

• Actively participate in professional arboricultural organizations, to stay abreast of the latest innovations and developments in the industry.  Suggest improvements to the company’s procedures. 

• Safely operate a motor vehicle for travel to assigned work areas.

• Moderate to extensive travel required.  Travel frequency is determined based on oversight needs of inspection teams and in-person utility/client interactions.

 

Qualifications

• Knowledge of electric transmission, substation, and distribution facilities.

• Knowledge of OSHA 1910.269 and ANSI Z133 safety requirements.

• Knowledge of ANSI A300 tree care standards.

• Experience and knowledge of integrated vegetation management and best management practices for electric utilities.

• Experience authoring wildfire mitigation plans.

• Exercises professional judgement to manage the expectations of the project manager and client.

• Competence proving quality assurance/quality control for all work projects submitted to stakeholders.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to manage the expectations of stakeholders, FEP staff and third parties which can include making recommendations on field inspections, safety, and technical reports. 

• Interpersonal skills that include a teamwork attitude with a focus on meeting stakeholder need while striving for an enjoyable work environment for all FEP staff. 

 

Location

• Preferred location is California or Colorado. Other western states will be considered.

 

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in forestry, urban forestry, arboriculture, or closely related field. 

• Master of Business Administration or Master’s in forestry or related field.

• ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Utility Specialist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification

• 20-30 years’ experience in electric utility vegetation management. 

• Executive experience leading vegetation management and/or other wildfire mitigation programs.

• Leadership experience in vegetation management industry organizations is a plus.

 

Compensation Range

• The estimated compensation range for this position is $110,000 to $220,000 year for a full time, exempt position.  FEP takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, as well as the employee’s work location.

 

Benefits Summary

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance

• Paid Time Off

• 401(k) with company contribution

• Flexible spending account

• Health savings account

• Discretionary Bonus based on firm and individual performance

• Referral program and Employee discounts

• Employee assistance program