Vegetation Management Strategist

Puget Sound Energy; Bothell (WA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with cash balance

Paid Time Off and Holidays

Job summary

Puget Sound Energy in Washington is seeking a Vegetation Management Strategist to lead long-term vegetation strategies, improve system reliability, and reduce operational risk. The role collaborates with Vegetation Management, Wildfire Mitigation, Reliability, and Asset Management teams to develop data-driven work plans and provide strategic insights.

You will manage vendor relationships, champion risk-based planning, and define KPIs while presenting findings to leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in arboriculture, forestry, urban forestry, or related field.
• Eight years of strategic planning experience at the department or organization level.
• Experience with utility vegetation management, reliability, or asset management programs.
• Experience developing risk-based work plans and long-range investment strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of long-term vegetation management strategies.
• Collaborate with vegetation analytics vendors and evaluate platform performance.
• Develop annual work plans and prioritize vegetation activities for reliability goals.
• Prioritize programs and perform scenario planning to improve reliability.
• Conduct business plan modeling to compare cost, risk, and reliability outcomes.
• Define KPIs and reporting standards for program performance.
• Oversee dashboards and present findings to leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Vegetation analytics

Strategic planning

Vendor management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in arboriculture, forestry, urban forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or related

Master's degree in business, engineering, forestry, environmental science, data analytics, or related

Tools

ArcGIS

Power BI

Python

AiDASH GIS data analytics platform

Job description

Puget Sound Energy is looking to grow our community with top talented individuals like you! With our rapidly growing, award winning energy efficiency programs, our pathway to an exciting and innovative future is now.

PSE'sPlanningteam is looking for qualified candidates to fill anopenVegetation Management Strategistposition!

Specific details regarding the work arrangements for this position will be discussed in further detail during the interview process.

Job Description

The Distribution Reliability Planning team is seeking a Vegetation Management Strategist to lead the development and execution of long-term vegetation management strategies that strengthen system reliability and reduce operational risk. In this role, the Strategist will collaborate with Vegetation Management, Wildfire Mitigation, Reliability, and Asset Management teams to develop data-driven work plans, evaluate technology solutions, and provide strategic insights that enhance program effectiveness and support PSE's evolving grid needs.

All PSE employees are expected to uphold the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE's operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities and promote and support a culture of total safety. Additionally, employees need to demonstrate commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct. All duties are to be performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

Job Responsibilities

• Leads the overall strategy for incorporating vegetation satellite imagery analysis (from AiDASH or other platform) and Vegetation Management program operational and performance data to develop, implement and maintain a roadmap for an enhanced vegetation management strategy.
• Manages relationships with vegetation analytics technology vendors, evaluating platform performance and recommending renewals or new tool adoption.
• Partners with Vegetation Management to develop annual work plans and prioritization of vegetation management activities in alignment with reliability strategy goals and in coordination with wildfire risk mitigation activities.
• Prioritizes vegetation management programs and recommends targeted investments, with scenario planning analyses as required, to improve electric service reliability through strengthened system resilience and reduced risk.
• Conducts various business plan scenario modeling and sensitivities to evaluate trade-offs between cost, risk reduction, and reliability outcomes, presenting findings to program and functional leadership.
• Defines key performance indicators and reporting standards for vegetation management program performance, risk reduction, and reliability impact.
• Oversees dashboards and reporting tools, and presents program performance, risk trends, and strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in arboriculture, forestry, urban forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or related; or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Eight (8) years of work experience in strategic planning and setting strategies at the department or organization level.
• Experience with utility vegetation management, electric distribution planning, reliability, wildfire mitigation, or asset management programs.
• Experience developing risk-based work plans, prioritization models, scenario analyses, and long-range investment strategies.

Desired Qualifications

• Master's degree in business, engineering, forestry, environmental science, data analytics, or a related field.
• Professional credentials such as ISA Arborist, ISA Utility Specialist, ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification, Registered Professional Forester, Project Management Professional, or a relevant GIS/data analytics certification.
• Experience using geospatial, satellite-imagery, remote-sensing, or vegetation analytics platforms such as AiDASH.
• Proficiency with GIS, data visualization, and analytics tools such as ArcGIS, Power BI, Python, or similar applications.
• Knowledge of utility reliability metrics, vegetation-related outage drivers, climate resilience, and wildfire risk.
• Experience defining program performance measures, validating data, and translating analysis into actionable recommendations.
• Strong business case development, cost-benefit analysis, financial modeling, and portfolio optimization skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence senior leaders without direct authority.
• Strong executive communication, facilitation, change management, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience working with regulators, government agencies, communities, vendors, or industry partners.

Additional Information

At PSE, we value our employees and provide them with opportunities to excel. We offer a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package. To learn more about why PSE is a great place to work, see our Employee Value Proposition, which highlights our commitment to employee growth, work-life balance, and meaningful career opportunities in the energy sector.

The pay range for this position is$108,200.00-$180,200.00, and this position is eligible for annual goals based incentive bonuses.

PSE offers a suite of benefits to our employees. Employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, basic life, and short- and long-term disability insurance. There are additional voluntary options of supplemental life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent daycare, and an Employee assistance program (EAP). For long term savings, PSE offers a 401(k) investment option and a cash balance retirement plan. Employees will also receive Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays throughout the calendar year.Detailed benefit overviews can be found on our Career page - Why Work For Us (pse.com).

Families and businesses depend on PSE to provide the energy they need to pursue their dreams. Our steadfast commitment to serving Washington communities with safe, dependable and efficient energy started in 1873. Today we're building the Northwest's energy future through efforts like our award winning energy efficiency programs and our leadership in renewable energy.

Puget Sound Energy is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status or presence of a disability that with or without reasonable accommodation does not prevent performance of the essential functions of the job, or any other category prohibited by local, state or federal law.

Should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources Staffing department at [e-mail] or 425-462-3017.