Vegetation Management Manager (MiEnergy - Rushford MN)

Dairyland Power Cooperative; Rushford (MN); On-site; USD 93,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401K and retirement pension

Paid time off and holidays

Job summary

Dairyland Power Cooperative seeks a Vegetation Management Manager to lead cross-organization vegetation programs in collaboration with MiEnergy Cooperative and Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative. You will guide safety standards, budget planning, and contractor management while driving reliability and outage reductions.

Responsibilities include strategic vegetation planning, field leadership, and community engagement, with a focus on OSHA/NESC/ANSI compliance and data integration into system

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, Environmental Science, or ISA certification; or Utility Arborist certification; plus 5 years in line clearance/vegetation management/tree work/arboriculture.

Responsibilities

• Lead MiEnergy's and Allamakee-Clayton's Vegetation Management Programs to ensure safe, reliable line clearance operations across service territories.
• Develop and execute long-term vegetation management strategies to reduce outages and improve system reliability.
• Manage vegetation contractors, including contract performance, billing review, and compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards.
• Supervise and support while providing leadership to contractors.
• Oversee vegetation management systems and tools to plan, schedule, track, and report activities.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics (cycle completion, outage reduction, safety, productivity) to drive improvement.
• Conduct field audits and inspections to ensure OSHA, NESC, ANSI, DOT, and environmental regulations.
• Partner with Engineering & Operations to integrate vegetation data into planning and reliability efforts.
• Lead risk tree assessment and line patrols to mitigate vegetation hazards.
• Develop and manage annual vegetation budget and ensure cost-effective resource use.
• Support contractor procurement, bid evaluation, and contract administration.
• Serve as escalation point for member concerns and provide professional resolutions.
• Lead community outreach on tree planting best practices and vegetation programs.
• Promote safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across vegetation activities.
• Strong verbal skills for communicating with members.

Skills

Computer skills

GIS

Microsoft Office

Tree biology knowledge

Vegetation management

Education

Associate degree or ISA/Utility Arborist cert

Tools

Vegetation management software

GIS software

Job description

Hiring Salary: $92,600 - $129,600

Hiring Salary: $92,600 - $129,600

Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level. MiEnergy Cooperative is accepting applications for the position of Vegetation Management Manager in Rushford, MN and has selected Dairyland Power Cooperative to facilitate the search process.

MiEnergy Cooperative was formed in 2017 from the merger of Hawkeye REC and Tri-County Electric Cooperative. MiEnergy has about 19,397 members and 23,716 meters.

The Vegetation Management Manager is a shared position to help manage the vegetation program at MiEnergy Cooperative and Allamakee-Clayton Electric Cooperative.

Purpose

At MiEnergy Cooperative, we take pride in delivering safe, reliable and sustainable services to the communities we serve—and our vegetation management program is a key part of that commitment. As our Vegetation Management Manager, you'll have the opportunity to lead a critical program that keeps our system running safely and efficiently. In this role, you'll blend strategy, field leadership, and community engagement while working with a team that values collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee MiEnergy's and Allamakee-Clayton's Vegetation Management Programs, ensuring safe, reliable line clearance operations across all service territories
• Develop and execute long-term vegetation management strategies to reduce outages and improve system reliability
• Manage vegetation contractors, including contract performance, billing review, and compliance with safety, environmental, and quality standards
• Supervise and support while providing leadership to contractors
• Oversee vegetation management systems and tools to plan, schedule, track, and report program activities
• Establish and monitor performance metrics (e.g., cycle completion, outage reduction, safety, and productivity) to drive continuous improvement
• Conduct field audits and inspections to ensure adherence to OSHA, NESC,ANSI, DOT, and environmental regulations
• Partner with Engineering & Operations departments to integrate vegetation data into system planning and reliability efforts
• Lead risk tree assessment and line patrol initiatives to proactively identify and mitigate vegetation-related hazards
• Develop and manage the annual vegetation management budget, ensuring cost effective use of resources
• Support contractor procurement processes, including development, bid evaluation, and contract administration
• Serve as the escalation point for complex member concerns, delivering thoughtful and professional resolutions
• Lead community outreach and education efforts related to tree planting best practices and vegetation management programs
• Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across all vegetation management activities
• Strong verbal skills for communicating with the members

Education and Experience

An associate degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, Environmental Science, or related field, or International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification, or Utility Arborist certification plus (5) five years of experience in line clearance, vegetation management, tree work, or arboriculture is required. Previous leadership experience is preferred.

Skills

• Proficiency in computer skills, vegetation management software, GIS, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong knowledge of tree biology, pruning standards, and vegetation control practices

Licenses and Certifications

A valid Driver's License is also required. A pesticide applicator license is required. If the candidate does not have the license at the time of hire, they must obtain it within one year of hire

Physical Demands

Ability to lift and move equipment and tools (up to 50 lbs). Frequent standing, walking, and bending in outdoor environments, which can include uneven or rugged terrain.

MiEnergy Cooperative is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision and life insurance, 401K, retirement pension, paid time off and holidays and a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications.