Utility Vegetation Coordinator

Help shape the future of Connexus Energy’s utility vegetation management program. In this role, you’ll use data and technology to improve reliability, reduce vegetation-related risk, manage costs, oversee contractors, and build strong partnerships with members, communities, and utility partners.

Location:

Work for this position will be performed both on-site at our campus located at 14601 Ramsey Blvd, Ramsey, MN 55303, and within our service territory. Most aspects of this job are performed outside throughout the year.

Compensation:

Anticipated hiring pay is $88,900 - $116,655 annually. Final compensation will be based on the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, and skill level. In addition, this position is eligible for an annual bonus with a target payout of 8% based on company performance.

In this position you will:

• Establish and maintain cost- effective vegetation management program to ensure safe and reliable electric service through program strategy and data analytics
• Build and maintain vegetation data models
• Analyze outages, costs, risks and work history
• Develop dashboards and performance measures
• Evaluate Geographic Information Systems (GIS), imagery and field technologies
• Direct and inspect work of contractors’ crews to ensure productivity, safety and quality
• Build relationships with cities, counties, utilities and public agencies through joint projects and shared priorities
• Manage the vegetation management budget and contracts to optimize performance by forecasting costs, monitoring expenditures and maintaining equipment inventory
• Coordinate workforce and equipment needed for vegetation clearing during major outages

Need to have:

• Bachelor's degree in data analytics, GIS, environmental science, forestry, arboriculture, natural resources or related field
• Current valid driver's license
• Demonstrated experience or coursework in data analysis, statistical modeling, GIS, business intelligence or a related analytical discipline
• Ability to use or learn vegetation-management, GIS, field-data collection, and business-intelligence software
• Ability to obtain and maintain required vegetation management credentials within three years of employment, or as soon thereafter
• ISA Certified Arborist
• ISA Utility Specialist
• Minnesota Certified Tree Inspector
• Minnesota pesticide applicator license in the category required for the position
• Ability to push/pull up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs.

OR

• High School Diploma or GED
• Current valid driver's license
• 5 or more years of progressively responsible experience in utility vegetation management, utility line clearance, forestry, arboriculture, or vegetation-control program administration
• Ability to use or learn vegetation-management, GIS, field-data collection, and business-intelligence software
• Current professional certifications or licenses relevant to utility vegetation management and ability to maintain them such as:
• ISA Certified Arborist
• ISA Utility Specialist
• Minnesota Certified Tree Inspector
• Minnesota pesticide applicator license
• Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data, identify trends, develop reports or data models, and use the results to support vegetation management decisions
• Ability to push/pull up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to lift/carry up to 50 lbs.

Nice to have:

• Knowledge of electric distribution systems and the relationship between vegetation conditions, safety, reliability, outages, and restoration
• Experience evaluating emerging technology, including remote sensing, satellite or aerial imagery, and predictive vegetation-risk analysis
• Ability to communicate technical vegetation-management information to members, contractors, employees, leadership, municipalities, and regulatory agencies
• Ability to develop data models, dashboards and maps that translate analytical findings into actionable work plans, budget recommendations, contractor expectations, reliability improvements, and clear member communications

Pre-Employment Requirement: Employment is contingent upon successfully completing a pre-employment background check and drug screen.

About Connexus Energy:

Based in Ramsey, Connexus Energy is Minnesota’s largest electric cooperative, providing electricity, renewable energy alternatives and related services to 150,000 residential and commercial members just north of the Twin Cities. We offer a collaborative work environment with challenging and rewarding work, which provides for professional development and work-life balance in a highly technical, stable and innovative industry. We give back to the communities we have served for more than 80 years by embracing opportunities to volunteer, donate and support economic development. Our talented and friendly staff focuses on achieving our mission of powering our members and communities toward a smarter energy future with a passionate focus on affordability, innovation, safety, and grid reliability.

Benefits Information:

Connexus Energy offers employees a competitive base wage, an annual incentive, and an attractive benefits package including medical, dental, life, company provided disability insurance, generous company contribution and match to 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more. The union wage scale along with the candidate's experience will determine starting wage. An Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer: Minorities, Women, Veterans, Disabilities 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.