Description

APPLICATION MATERIALS
Applicants are required to submit a combined cover letter and resume in one PDF document. Your cover letter must summarize your interest, education and experience relative to this position. Incomplete materials will not be considered.

To expedite the application process, combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF document before applying and upload electronically when requested in the online application process.

This position is OPEN UNTIL FILLED and applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.  The first review date for application materials is scheduled for April 20, 2026.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Chelan PUD does not sponsor work visas such as H-1B, E-3, F-1, OPT, student visas, TN, or any other visas. Candidates and employees must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship.

Interested parties are also invited to contact Human Resources at joblist@chelanpud.org to discuss the position.

SALARY RANGE
The starting salary range for this position is $126,960 - $158,700 (based on qualifications).  With tenure and strong performance in this role an employee may earn up to a maximum of $190,440, annualized.

Introductory Period: New employees holding regular positions must complete an introductory period of twelve months.

BENEFITS EPOA
In addition to competitive wages Chelan PUD employees also enjoy outstanding benefits which include zero cost employer funded medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits, access to the employee assistance program, and a VEBA health reimbursement account.

Washington state retirement PERS participation and optional 457 plan participation with an employer matching 401(a) plan.

Leave, life & disability benefits including paid leave starting at 21 days per calendar year up to 35 with tenure, 12 paid holidays per calendar year, paid jury duty, short-term disability & long-term disability, and basic life, AD&D, and optional voluntary life.

The work life benefits include optional flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care, educational assistance, various rewards and recognition programs and position specific stipends.

For more explanation of the district benefits please visit our benefits website www.mychelanpudbenefits.org.

JOB POSTING
Program Manager - Utility Vegetation
 
Overview
Develop and manage the District's Utility Forestry program. Supervise two to three non-bargaining unit District Utility Foresters and manages up to thirty Contract personnel. Write, manage and administer tree trimming and related contracts. Responsible for maintaining compliance with NERC standards related to forestry management. Develops and maintains the District's Utility Vegetation Management plan to ensure reliability, wildland fire mitigation and safety objectives of the distribution and transmission system. Develop and manage associated annual budgets, contracts and account for fiscal responsibilities for multi-year contracts. This position is the District's forestry department leader for the program.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manages District's Utility Vegetation management plan (UVMP), manage and modify forestry program parameters and implementation that includes both the transmission and distribution overhead electric and fiber systems. The UVMP meets District objectives such as service reliability, wildland fire mitigation and regulatory compliance. Manages a proactive program based on industry standards. Develop, plan & prioritize work schedules for inspection and tree management work along electrical & fiber optical lines to achieve program objectives.
• Manage Tree Trimming contracts: Write, bid, manage and implement tree trimming and other contracts as needed. Write and present Contract Resolutions and Field Work Orders/Change Orders to the Board of Commission during public District meetings. Manages and audits up to 30 Contractors for contract specifications and safety compliance. Receive, track and authorize payment of Contractor invoices, organize contract crew time sheets, develop and issue work orders numbers for job specific tasks within managed budget funding source and approve purchase order requisitions. Record & file copies of Contractor invoices and supporting documents for internal and external audit purposes, customer inquiries and risk exposure to the District.
• Supervise 2-3 Utility Forester non-bargaining unit District employees. Train employees on forestry program requirements, standards and contract specifications. Issue work assignments, track work progress and provide lead point of contact for questions & concerns. Audit work of Utility Forester’s for program standards, conduct annual performance evaluations and advise job performance levels for pay rate increases. Exercise disciplinary actions when necessary. Staff is responsible for producing the daily work assignments of up to 30 Contract employees.
• Develop and manages a subset of the District’s UVMP is the Transmission Vegetation Management Plan (TVMP) specifically for NERC compliance. Represent the District as a subject matter standard owner expert providing documented evidence for the Utility Forestry Program during NERC/WECC audits. Update District’s Transmission Vegetation Management Plan as needed and keep up-to-date on any industry standards changes. Submit quarterly NERC transmission vegetation outage reports to WECC, to maintain compliance for the District. Work closely with the District’s Transmission Compliance department meeting requested dead lines of work assignments associated with NERC FAC-003 standard.
• Customer District forestry program lead representative for customer owner inquiries, requests and complaints. Educate customers and promote the District’s tree trimming objectives. District arborist representative for approval of removing and pruning trees in PUD parks and other District properties as needed. Develops advertisements, public service announcements and materials to promote the District’s Utility Forestry Program. Develop & maintain working relationships with customer owners and federal, state, county, and city agencies.
• Develop and manage an annual 3 to 4 million dollar forestry program budget. Includes training, tools and requirements for contractors and staff. Ensure adherence to limits, estimating needs and manages changes that are consistent with forest industry practices. Includes forecasting future needs or changes in the industry that could impact the budget.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC). Employees with access to confidential employee records and information are required to restrict access from any unauthorized person, except on a need to know basis.
• As an essential function, drive a motorized vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the District.

People Management

This position manages/supervises people. Direct Resources Managed: 20+. Indirect Resources Managed: None.

Reports To: Managing Director – Customer Utilities
Overtime exemption: Exempt

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree (B.S. or B.A.) in Forestry or related field from a four-year college or university is required.
• Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.

Experience

• 7+ years of vegetation management experience, with at least four (4) years of utility forestry experience, plus management, supervisory and budget experience required.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Driver's License at hire and WA Driver's License within 30 days of hire required.
• Certified Arborist and Utility specialist certificate from International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) upon hire is preferred.
• Pesticide Applicators License in Ornamental and Turf Pest Control desired.

Skills and Abilities
A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge skills & abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of environmental regulations, and utility distribution and transmission systems and equipment; must be familiar with WAC 296-45-455, WISHA, OSHA, WECC & NERC Standard FAC-003, ANSI Z133 safety standards, ANSI A300 pruning standards and pesticide standards.
• Knowledge of horticultural practices, plant taxonomy, and insect/disease identification.
• Knowledge of electric utility powerline and associated electrical equipment
• Knowledge of transmission and distribution line clearance practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of powerline tree pruning methods
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to supervise and effectively direct the work of others.
• Ability to identify and deal with hazardous and problem trees.
• Ability to operate off-road motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles.
• Ability to recognize and solve problems.
• Familiar with tree trimming equipment including brush mowing machines, bucket trucks, chippers, chainsaws, harnesses, ropes, rigging, pole pruners and hand saws.
• Must have ability to operate in the field under difficult conditions including hazardous trees, wind events, snow events, wildland fire, etc.
• Have ability to prioritize and manage several tasks that are occurring at the same time and shift focus between efforts efficiently is necessary.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of PeopleSoft (Timekeeping/ Payroll systems); Accounting software; Microsoft Outlook; Contact Management systems; Maximo; Asset Management and Order processing systems; FileNet (document file management); GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping; Microsoft Excel software; and Microsoft Word.
• Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• This position communicates with the public 5 - 20% of the time. Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is desired.

Background Screening

Pursuant to the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards, Chelan County Public Utility District #1 conducts background screening of personnel who have access to the District's critical physical and/or cyber assets.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions: See full posting at www.chelanpud.org/careers

District Values

• Trust - We act with integrity, empathy, competence, and transparency, earning the confidence and respect of each other and the public we serve.
• Safety - We protect what matters most through the choices we make.
• Stewardship - We responsibly manage and thoughtfully oversee all resources entrusted to us for the benefit of future generations.
• Collaboration - We transform our deep expertise from individual advantage into shared power - partnering across teams to maximize our impact and secure our future.
• Courage - We boldly step into the unknown to do what matters, seeking opportunities to grow and lead.

Equal Opportunity/ADA
Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled). We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.

EEO Law Posters can be found on the main Careers (chelanpud.org) page in English and Spanish.

The job functions and physical requirements described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DISCLAIMER

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions for this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility. This should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise to balance the workload.

As part of its recruiting process, Chelan PUD may engage a third-party vendor to perform previous employment verification, education verification, and reference checking.

EEO
Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.

EEO Law Posters can be found on the main Careers page in English and Spanish. 

Chelan PUD will not be offering any work visa sponsorship for this role.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-I.35(c)