Director T&D Lines and Vegetation Mgmt.
NiSource Inc., Merrillville, IN, United States
**Job Summary**
This position will oversee the electric line organization and electric transmission vegetation management to ensure safe, reliable, cost-effective, and operationally efficient delivery of electric service. The role provides leadership across line operations, system maintenance, emergency response, and vegetation programs that directly support transmission reliability, regulatory compliance, public safety, and customer satisfaction.
The Director leads multiple departments, including line operations and the Vegetation Management organization, and is responsible for directing managers and teams to deliver consistent performance, effective contractor oversight, and disciplined financial management. The role ensures adequate resources are in place to support emergency and storm response efforts aimed at reducing customer interruptions as measured by CAIDI, SAIFI, and SAIDI.
This position drives optimal spans of control, promotes consistency and collaboration across operational functions, and reduces costs through shared resources, standardized tools, and effective planning. The Director is ultimately accountable for managing operational and regulatory risk, developing and executing electric line and vegetation strategies, and ensuring company assets are utilized in alignment with corporate goals of providing safe, reliable, and low-cost service to customers.
**Essential Functions** Oversees contracted crews performing line and vegetation work to ensure quality workmanship, safety performance, and compliance with engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and internal specifications
Ensures compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including state utility line locating requirements and electric transmission vegetation standards **Required Qualifications for Position**Bachelor's Degree in a quantitative discipline or equivalent experience
7+ years' work experience in the utility industry Prior experience proactively managing managers and multi-layered operational teams.
Proven experience developing effective self-directed work teams.
Strong analytical skills with experience managing performance metrics and operational data
Demonstrated ability to identify and address strategic, operational, and organizational challenges Strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with all organizational levels
Knowledge and experience with the operation and maintenance of all high voltage equipment and distribution and transmission systems and associated voltages
Knowledge of proper tools and equipment required to complete various tasks for electric line maintenance Ability to manage O&M and Capital Budgets
Knowledge of Cascade Maintenance Management System
Knowledge of Electric System Emergency and Storm Restoration plans
Ability to direct in the restoration of the electric system following major interruptions
Demonstrated ability to lead diverse departments with differing technical functions through direct and indirect leadership
**Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position** Experience working on project teams
Previous experience providing oversight of electric transmission vegetation management or line clearance programs Familiarity with Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) principles and contractor-based vegetation programs Experience overseeing contractor safety, compliance, and performance in a field operations environment
Experience working on cross functional or enterprise level initiatives
Familiarity with GIS or web-based systems used to manage vegetation or asset programs Previous leadership experience managing represented employees The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position.**Workplace Connection**
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.*\*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.* At NiSource, you'll be part of the team serving nearly four million customers throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, who count on us to energize their homes and businesses. Whether speaking with customers by phone, analyzing financial data or installing new gas lines in a neighborhood, you’ll meet exciting challenges each day and make the most of your skills and talents. And you’ll be part of a company that was named by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best Large Employers.
We're looking for talent from all backgrounds. We invite candidates of all abilities to come as they are and do what they love. Through our years of successful growth, we’ve stayed true to our roots by making a difference in the lives of millions of our customers. If you’re interested in joining an inclusive, innovative company that fosters opportunity for growth, NiSource might be the place for you. #J-18808-Ljbffr
This position will oversee the electric line organization and electric transmission vegetation management to ensure safe, reliable, cost-effective, and operationally efficient delivery of electric service. The role provides leadership across line operations, system maintenance, emergency response, and vegetation programs that directly support transmission reliability, regulatory compliance, public safety, and customer satisfaction.
The Director leads multiple departments, including line operations and the Vegetation Management organization, and is responsible for directing managers and teams to deliver consistent performance, effective contractor oversight, and disciplined financial management. The role ensures adequate resources are in place to support emergency and storm response efforts aimed at reducing customer interruptions as measured by CAIDI, SAIFI, and SAIDI.
This position drives optimal spans of control, promotes consistency and collaboration across operational functions, and reduces costs through shared resources, standardized tools, and effective planning. The Director is ultimately accountable for managing operational and regulatory risk, developing and executing electric line and vegetation strategies, and ensuring company assets are utilized in alignment with corporate goals of providing safe, reliable, and low-cost service to customers.
**Essential Functions** Oversees contracted crews performing line and vegetation work to ensure quality workmanship, safety performance, and compliance with engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and internal specifications
Ensures compliance with applicable regulatory requirements, including state utility line locating requirements and electric transmission vegetation standards **Required Qualifications for Position**Bachelor's Degree in a quantitative discipline or equivalent experience
7+ years' work experience in the utility industry Prior experience proactively managing managers and multi-layered operational teams.
Proven experience developing effective self-directed work teams.
Strong analytical skills with experience managing performance metrics and operational data
Demonstrated ability to identify and address strategic, operational, and organizational challenges Strong written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with all organizational levels
Knowledge and experience with the operation and maintenance of all high voltage equipment and distribution and transmission systems and associated voltages
Knowledge of proper tools and equipment required to complete various tasks for electric line maintenance Ability to manage O&M and Capital Budgets
Knowledge of Cascade Maintenance Management System
Knowledge of Electric System Emergency and Storm Restoration plans
Ability to direct in the restoration of the electric system following major interruptions
Demonstrated ability to lead diverse departments with differing technical functions through direct and indirect leadership
**Preferred Additional Qualifications for Position** Experience working on project teams
Previous experience providing oversight of electric transmission vegetation management or line clearance programs Familiarity with Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) principles and contractor-based vegetation programs Experience overseeing contractor safety, compliance, and performance in a field operations environment
Experience working on cross functional or enterprise level initiatives
Familiarity with GIS or web-based systems used to manage vegetation or asset programs Previous leadership experience managing represented employees The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required for the position.**Workplace Connection**
Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.*\*The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience, as well as internal pay equity.* At NiSource, you'll be part of the team serving nearly four million customers throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, who count on us to energize their homes and businesses. Whether speaking with customers by phone, analyzing financial data or installing new gas lines in a neighborhood, you’ll meet exciting challenges each day and make the most of your skills and talents. And you’ll be part of a company that was named by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best Large Employers.
We're looking for talent from all backgrounds. We invite candidates of all abilities to come as they are and do what they love. Through our years of successful growth, we’ve stayed true to our roots by making a difference in the lives of millions of our customers. If you’re interested in joining an inclusive, innovative company that fosters opportunity for growth, NiSource might be the place for you. #J-18808-Ljbffr