Lead Specialist, Vegetation Strategy

About usNational Grid is hiring a Lead Vegetation Strategy Specialist for our Electric Operations department in Syracuse, Buffalo or Albany, NY Every day we deliver safe and secure energy to homes, communities, and businesses. We are there when people need us the most. We connect people to the energy they need for the lives they live. The pace of change in society and our industry is accelerating and our expertise and track record puts us in an unparalleled position to shape the sustainable future of our industry. To be successful we must anticipate the needs of our customers, reducing the cost of energy delivery today and pioneering the flexible energy systems of tomorrow. This requires us to deliver on our promises and always look for new opportunities to grow, both ourselves and our business.Job PurposeAs a New York Lead Vegetation Strategy Specialist, you'll be at the forefront of transforming how we plan, analyze, and optimize vegetation programs-leveraging data, digital tools, and emerging technologies to make smarter, system-wide decisions that impact millions of customers.At National Grid, we're building a smarter, more resilient energy system-and vegetation strategy is a critical part of that future. If you're ready to bring your expertise to a role where your work truly matters, we encourage you to apply.Key AccountabilitiesWhat You'll DoIn this high-impact role, you will: * Drive Strategy: Develop and enhance vegetation management strategies for cycle pruning and hazard tree programs to improve reliability and operational effectiveness * Turn Data into Insight: Analyze performance trends, identify root causes of vegetation-related issues, and translate findings into actionable improvements * Influence Investment Decisions: Prioritize programs and recommend targeted investments that strengthen system resilience and reduce risk * Lead Program Planning: Partner with Forestry Operations to develop annual work plans and ensure alignment with reliability goals * Advance Digital Innovation: Help shape and deploy next-generation tools, data systems, and remote sensing technologies to modernize vegetation management * Ensure Regulatory Excellence: Prepare and support key regulatory filings (e.g., NY PSC reports) and ensure compliance with evolving regulatory standards * Enhance Standards & Governance: Review and refine technical specifications, policies, and governance practices to align with industry best practices * Engage Industry Leaders: Collaborate with organizations such as IEEE, EPRI, and UAA to influence and adopt cutting-edge approaches to vegetation-related reliabilityWhy This Role MattersYou'll have a unique opportunity to: * Shape how vegetation management supports grid resilience in an era of increasing climate risk * Work cross-functionally with operations, engineering, and regulatory stakeholders * Lead innovation efforts that bring new technologies into real-world application * Contribute to high-visibility initiatives that impact reliability metrics and customer experienceWhat We're Looking ForWe're seeking a candidate who combines technical expertise, analytical capability, and strategic thinking: * Strong knowledge of how vegetation impacts electric distribution system reliability * Background in arboriculture, forestry, or a related natural resources field * Experience applying data analysis and modeling to inform decisions and optimize performance * Ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable insights * Familiarity with vegetation management operations and industry practices * Experience working with large datasets and business analytics tools * Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive improvement across teams What Sets You Apart Qualifications* Bachelor's degree in Arboriculture, Forestry, Urban Forestry, or a related field (or equivalent experience)required.* ISA Arborist Certification peferred