POSITION PURPOSE

This position is located at our TSM Menoken Headquartes location in Menoken, ND.

Responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing key programs that support the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of Basin Electric’s high-voltage transmission system. This position provides leadership and coordination for the organization’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan, Vegetation Management Program (NERC FAC-003), and Facility Ratings Program (NERC FAC-008). This position collaborates cross-functionally with Transmission Maintenance, Engineering, Transmission, Legal, Safety, Environmental, Compliance, and multiple external agencies to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements, internal policies, and industry best practices. This role is accountable for tracking program performance, maintaining auditable documentation, mitigating operational risks, preparing for regulatory oversight activities, and driving continuous improvement across all assigned programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develop, maintain, and implement the Wildfire Mitigation Plan.
• Coordinate cross-departmental efforts to integrate wildfire prevention and risk-reduction practices into field and planning activities, while tracking and evaluating wildfire-related risks, inspection results, and program performance using established metrics.
• Engage with state wildfire agencies, utilities, emergency management groups, and contractors to support regional wildfire mitigation.
• Administer Basin Electric’s Vegetation Management Program, ensuring compliance with NERC FAC-003 requirements.
• Maintain auditable documentation including annual work plans, inspections, contractor records, and clearance results.
• Review vegetation events and near-misses, identify root causes, and recommend corrective or preventive actions.
• Provide compliance guidance to field crews, contractors, landowners, and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain the Facility Ratings Methodology and oversee implementation of the NERC FAC-008 program.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Transmission Maintenance to ensure facility ratings are accurate, updated, and supported by field-verified data.
• Manage inventories, drawings, specifications, and rating evidence to ensure compliance and auditability.
• Support internal and external NERC/Regional Entity audits, other regulatory audits, spot checks, and self-certifications.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in wildfire mitigation, vegetation management, and facility ratings, while actively participating in industry forums to stay current on regulatory changes, standards development, and emerging best practices.
• Lead cross-functional coordination and communication to ensure consistent program execution across departments, and prepare reports, dashboards, and presentations that summarize program performance, risk indicators, and compliance status.
• Develop and provide training related to wildfire mitigation, vegetation management compliance, and facility ratings requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Fire Science, Forestry, Business, or a related technical field and 2 years of experience in utility transmission maintenance, vegetation management, wildfire planning, NERC compliance, asset management, or closely related areas; or
• Associates degree in a related technical field and 4 years of experience in utility transmission maintenance, vegetation management, wildfire planning, NERC compliance, asset management, or closely related areas.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating with internal departments, contractors, or regulatory bodies.
• Valid driver's license.
• Travel up to 10%.

This position is identified as a Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) related position, which may allow physical and/or logical access to Bulk Electric System (BES) cyber related assets or systems. This position may allow access to privileged information relating to such assets or systems. This position will be required to strictly adhere to all Basin Electric policies, procedures, and programs applicable to the Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) requirements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) accredited engineering program.
• Knowledge of NERC FAC-003 Vegetation Management standard and utility best practices surrounding the standard.
• Knowledge of FAC-008 Facility Ratings and utility best practices surrounding the standard.
• Knowledge of utility wildfire mitigation and best practices surrounding the subject.
• Familiarity with GIS systems, vegetation tracking tools, or transmission asset management software.
• Knowledge of high-voltage transmission design and/or field inspection practices.
• ISA Certified Arborist, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, or related credentials.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

This position requires frequent sitting; and occasional standing, walking, bending, climbing, kneeling, reaching, crawling, use of keyboard/computer, pushing/pulling up to 100 pounds, and lifting/carrying more than 50 pounds.  Requires finger dexterity, good hearing and vision, and the ability to perform close work. Occasionally works in conditions of dirt/dust, fumes, chemicals, extreme heat and cold, vibration, noise, poor ventilation, electrical risks, and confined areas.  May be required to work at heights up to 50 feet, which requires the use of safety equipment, including a harness, in accordance with ANSI Z359 standards.  Equipment operated includes computers, various control devices and test equipment, and normal shop tools.

KEY SKILLS

• Ability to interpret technical data, field inspection records, engineering drawings, and compliance documentation, and apply that information to effective program development, management, process design, and documentation control.
• Skilled in building productive relationships with external regulators, emergency managers, utility professionals, and contractors, and in facilitating effective cross-departmental collaboration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, including proficiency with spreadsheets, databases, dashboards, and workflow tools to manage competing priorities and maintain accountability.
• Regulatory adaptability and execution, with the ability to interpret changing requirements, translate them into practical implementation, and preserve auditable documentation.
• Effective influence and change leadership, including influencing without authority and guiding stakeholders through change management processes.
• Clear, confident stakeholder communication, with the ability to engage regulators and internal/external partners during high-pressure situations such as audits and public forums.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.