About the Opportunity FirstEnergy at a Glance We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.This is a position with FirstEnergy Service Co. a division of FirstEnergy Corp. [SC00] Location is open to any FirstEnergy location within the operations footprint, subject to the hiring managers approval. Required to live within the FirstEnergy Service Territory or within driving distance (Within 1 Hour). This position will be primarily a remote position. This position is primarily responsible for supporting all aspects of change management for the Vegetation Management Emerging Technology initiatives including the Vegetation Management Solution (VMS) software, Advanced Vegetation Analytics Tool (AVAT), Transmission Vegetation Management LiDAR Project, and other future technology initiatives or opportunities.Responsibilities:
Demonstrating and directing a solid commitment to all aspects of safety as a core value.
Create an inclusive and welcoming work environment where each employee feels valued, that they belong and are enabled to do their best every day.
Developing change management strategy, along with the leadership team.
Developing the change management plan and overseeing execution of the plan.
Developing and tracking key metrics to measure success.
Support overall Vegetation Management change management efforts as needed.
Performing training of internal FirstEnergy employees and external contractors, developing training material and presentations, advising and teaching on topics related to current and new technologies, and monitoring the implementation and oversight of the Emerging Technologies.
Actively demonstrate, be accountable for and encourage behavior that fosters a culture of integrity and accountability. Ensure that business activities, processes and procedures are performed in compliance with all applicable requirements and with the highest of ethics.
Willing to learn and understand FirstEnergy/Utility Vegetation Management industry standards and best management practices as well as FirstEnergy Operations Specifications and processes to better support and implement Emerging Technology opportunities.
Supporting current and future Emerging Technologies for the execution of vegetation management work in all required facets of industry.
Work to understand the basics of Artificial Intelligence and the theory behind its use to provide data to support Vegetation Management.
Work to understand the basics of LiDAR technology in support of project efforts.
Investing time into understanding available technology opportunities including their weaknesses, strengths, costs, and how they may support Vegetation Management group.
Performing tasks and duties required to maintain current Emergent Technologies implemented.
Assisting with the development of new innovative technology, methods, and procedures for vegetation management Emergent Technologies.
Updating workflow documentation, reviewing, and editing of procedures, processes, compliance requirement standards and other program documents used in vegetation management for achieving business unit goals, strategies, and transformation initiatives for new Emerging Technology solutions.
Assisting in creation of scope of work information for development and implementation of new Emerging Technologies with internal business unit, Executive Leadership and external vendors is understood and adhered to.
Collaborating with other internal cross-functional business units to support current and implement new Emerging Technologies in Vegetation Management and across the entire FirstEnergy enterprise.
Administrating Emergent Technology projects with FirstEnergy staff and external vendors to pilot, develop, and test new software, hardware and technologies that can be utilized for vegetation management.
Attending meetings for the development, communication, training, support, and implementation of current and new Emerging Technologies with vegetation management staff, contractors, and any other external stakeholders including industry conferences and peer utilities.
Performing storm restoration activities, field observations or field inspections if required.
This position may require travel and overnight stays (<25%) throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, and New York.
Assisting with identifying and developing key business metrics for monitoring data and outputs of the Emerging Technologies.
Work to understand work management software workflows to be able to support the business unit.
Working with Data Scientists and Data Engineers as well as industry technology vendors to solve vegetation management challenges as they are identified.
Investing time into understanding available technology opportunities including their weaknesses and strengths.
Assisting in budgetary exercises including tracking, understanding and communicating Emerging Technology planned or potential monetary costs.
Qualifications at the Associate Forestry Specialist:
Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Data Science, Forestry or related discipline
In lieu of Bachelor’s degree, Associates degree with 2 years of related job experience or High School Diploma (or GED) along with 4-5 years related work experience in Business Management, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Data Science, Forestry, or related discipline.
Experience supporting Change Management
Basic knowledge and experience with ESRI’s ArcGIS application suite
LiDAR experience
Knowledge and experience with Emerging Technologies related to utility space preferred.
Good working understanding of Python or other currently utilized programming language, a plus.
Must possess advanced computer proficiency skills with numerous PC software and applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, OneNote, PowerBI and Azure.
Excellent ability to communicate and present himself/herself in a professional manner.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including technical writing skills and experience.
Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
Excellent organizational and note-taking skills.
Superior interpersonal skills to gain cooperation with internal and external customers.
Must have the ability to manage and motivate others, delegate tasks, set priorities and ensure deadlines are met.
Must be self-motivated and able to multi-task with competing priorities, provide both internal and external quality customer service in a fast-paced environment.
Must possess interpersonal skills necessary to operate in a team or consensus decision-making environment, possessing the ability to make quick assessment and deliver well thought out decisions when situations arise that require independent judgment.
Must be able to resolve conflict, communicate, negotiate, and execute as needed in team environments.
Must have the ability to build relationships and credibility, and provide staff support to management and higher levels of professionals.
Possess leadership qualities that allow one to provide effective guidance to others, coach others in effective decision making and facilitate meetings.
Must have the ability to proactively work with staff and contractors to assure there is uniformity, consistency and results obtained to meet business unit objectives and identify and implement efficiencies where applicable.
Ability to work with business units to develop standard operating procedures, documenting workflow and process steps.
Must be willing to work towards understanding Utility Vegetation Management and Integrated Vegetation Management basic processes and theories.
Must be able to work to understand data analysis and other Emerging Technology to support strategic process improvement plans, in addition to the ability to implement and execute process improvement changes for key performance areas.
Understand the Company’s Accident Prevention Handbook and possess the ability to work safely.
Possess the physical ability to perform work in the field in all weather conditions and traverse difficult terrain to support and assess the Emergent Technologies.
Must be willing to perform moderate (<25%) travel and overnight stays.
Must have a personal vehicle to commute to various locations as required, possessing a valid driver’s license.
Must have a workspace in residence that allows for uninterrupted cooperation during required virtual meetings.
Minimum of 5 (five) years of direct Change Management work related experience is required.
Qualifications at the Forestry Specialist include all the above plus:
Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Data Science, Forestry or related discipline
In lieu of Bachelor’s degree, Associate degree along with 4 (four) years of related work experience, or High School Diploma (or GED) along with 6-7 (six - seven) or more years related work experience in Project Management, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Data Science, Forestry or related discipline
Minimum of 2 (two) years of direct Change Managment work related experience is required.
Benefits, Compensation & Workforce DiversityAt FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.SafetySafety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.FirstEnergy Human Resources Team