Manager, Fire Mitigation

Arizona Public Service generates clean, reliable and affordable energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state's largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.
Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country's fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.
Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.
Summary
The Manager, Fire Mitigation is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the company's Fire Mitigation program. Manages the development of short and long-range Fire Mitigation program plans and the integration of the Fire Mitigation program with other APS departments and external partners including the Department of Agriculture, the Bureau of Land Management, the Arizona State Land Department, and other Federal and State agencies. Collaborates with other Transmission and Distribution (T&D) departments to provide guidance regarding the company's transmission/distribution corridor maintenance and vegetation management programs to maximize T&D reliability, public safety, and customer satisfaction. Manages one or more front-line supervisors responsible for various aspects of the Fire Mitigation Program including tactical response, investigation, and analysis. Represent the company and its Fire Mitigation program in industry working groups and with other external agencies such as regulators and local government officials.
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Fire Science or a related field (e.g., Fire Technology, Fire Administration, Emergency Management) and eight (8) years fire management, emergency planning/response or related experience OR Associates Degree from an accredited college or university in Fire Science or a related field and ten (10) years related fire management, emergency planning/response, or related experience.
In lieu of degree, twelve (12) years combination of education and of experience in Fire Mitigation, emergency planning/response or related experience.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
Possess and maintain the Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) credential or obtain this credential within one year of employment.
Must have three (3) years of specialized experience performing one or more the following duties:
- Assisting with a component of a wild land and/or prescribed fire management program,
- Implementation of a Fire Mitigation budget,
- Implementation of agreements with cooperators, and/or
- Maintaining relationships with entities external to the organization regarding fire management program issues.
Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge or Qualifications: Proficient knowledge of APS easements, accounting, procurement, and budgeting systems, internal computer programs and MS software packages. Thorough knowledge of applicable ANSI and OSHA standards, USDA Forest Service and other federal agency regulations, easement law, contract law, specification design, APS Accident Prevention Manual, IBEW labor agreements, and company policies and procedures. Working knowledge of electric transmission and distribution theory, design of electric systems/facilities and hardware components, safety practices associated with working close to energized conductors and within substations.
Ability to interpret detailed prints, circuit maps and diagrams and operate GPS unit.
Strong problem identification/ resolution, communication, negotiation, interpersonal, and customer relation skills and the ability to visualize end results of several multi-faceted functions involving integrated tasks. Experience working in an outdoor environment in remote areas and in inclement weather.
Effective communication skills demonstrated through written communications and presentations. Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet. Experience with ArcGIS and working knowledge of GPS and field data collection methods.
Major Accountabilities
1) Assist in the development and administration of fire control strategies, policies and procedures including pre-suppression, prevention, and detection. Provide direction in the compilation, review, and distribution of fire hazard and risk data and analytics. Collaborate in Incident Command System for wild land fire suppression and prescribed burning operations with agency partners. Assist in the determination of resources required for post fire power restoration. Provide guidance relating to prescribed burns and forest restoration efforts along utility corridors.
2) Develop, manage and oversee the Fire Mitigation program to ensure compliance with Federal and State Guidelines, Oversee reporting requirements of the program. Serve as the company spokesperson to external agencies or citizen groups on program issues.
3) Establish and administer goals and objectives for the unit to ensure goals of reliability plan are achieved. Develop the unit budget, and ensure funded targets are achieved through ongoing monitoring of performance and costs, designing, developing, and evaluating new methods for Fire Mitigation and collaborate with peer manager on forestry & vegetation management consistent with Federal, State, and Local regulations and utility industry standards to improve effectiveness.
4) Provide effective leadership to team to ensure individual contribution and team success; supports corporate reliability plan by communicating the overall direction and performance expectations. Manage and develop employees, encouraging teamwork, customer advocacy, and personal accountability. Support individual employee development through training and developmental assignments, performance management, and coaching.
5) Promote Customer Satisfaction by providing an effective interface with internal and external customers, establishing reasonable expectations up front, and then meeting the expectations. Foster understanding of, and support for, the Company's program, including education individual property owners, representatives of various governmental agencies, and the public.
6) Maintain business acumen on technology and regulations through professional reading, attendance at seminars and participation in professional organizations.
7) Provide oversight leadership & technical advice and support to APS divisions to ensure integration of wildfire processes into all Fire Mitigation related documents, plans, and projects. Support long-range fire behavior prediction science and climatology. Assist in the development, management, and delivery of related Fire Mitigation training programs.
Major Accountabilities (Continued)
8) Collaborate with peer leadership on Smart Grid technology group to ensure that the identification/list of high fire-risk transmission feeders across APS geographic territory is updated annually.
9) Ensure management of annual meetings to bring together all of the Fire Mitigation programs stakeholders to review issues and Fire Mitigation program business planning (e.g., T&D Operations, Engineering, Construction, IT, Risk Management).
10) Manage oversight of wildfire risk analysis between the Technology Innovation department, Smart Grid Development, and Operations and Maintenance crews and develop plans to mitigate risks to APS property, operations, and service.
11) Oversee Technical Training team to develop, implement, and deliver formal, comprehensive fire prevention and safety programs and employee training. Develop, implement, and maintain fire management related procedures and resource documents.
12) Meet with internal and external stakeholders to review APS Fire Mitigation program (e.g., Board of Directors, senior management, industry leaders, and government entities) and identify opportunities for program changes and investments.
13) Ensure the monitoring and implementation of updates to the Wildland-Urban Interface Code to ensure compliance to code standards, create defensible space, and mitigate the risks from wildfire to life and property and prevent wildfire spread from vegetation to structures or from structures to vegetation.
Export Compliance / EEO Statement
This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.
For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
Arizona Public Service is a smoke free workplace.
Location-Based Role:
This position requires employees to work at the (Location), with some flexibility. Flexibility will be determined with the hired employee and leadership.