Technical Program Manager-Wildfire Operations Program Management

Portland General Electric•Madras, OR

About The Position

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all. Technical Program Manager – Wildfire Operations Program Management Job Function Summary As a Technical Program Manager within PGE’s Wildfire Operations Program Management team, you will support the implementation and continuous improvement of initiatives outlined in PGE’s 2026–2028 Wildfire Mitigation Plan (WMP). This role plays a key part in advancing wildfire risk reduction, operational readiness, and interagency coordination to support the safe and reliable delivery of power. You will contribute across multiple WMP sections, with primary focus on Grid Operations & Protocols (including fire season field assessments, compliance, and operational readiness), and supporting initiatives in Situational Awareness and Forecasting, Emergency Preparedness, Community Outreach and Public Awareness, and Industry Engagement. A critical component of this role is serving as a field-deployable utility representative during wildfire incidents, integrating into the Incident Command System (ICS) to coordinate with Incident Management Teams (IMTs), support safe access to utility infrastructure, and provide timely situational awareness to internal stakeholders and PGE’s incident management team. In this capacity, the role acts as a field liaison and safety escort for utility personnel, facilitating safe access to active fire or burned areas for damage assessment and restoration, without direct supervision of field crews. This role is also responsible for maintaining real-time situational awareness during fire season, including monitoring fire danger conditions, fire weather, detection systems (e.g., camera networks and satellite-based platforms), and new or emerging wildfire activity that may impact PGE assets. The position supports timely internal communication, coordination, and decision-making when wildfire threats are identified, and may monitor incidents virtually when deployment is not required. Additionally, this role supports coordination with neighboring utilities and regional wildfire program partners, sharing information and intelligence, aligning response considerations where infrastructure is interconnected or co-located, and contributing to lessons learned and continuous improvement across organizations. You will also conduct fire season field assessments of crews and contractors and develop and deliver wildfire mitigation and safety training programs. This role participates in a rotating on-call schedule to support after-hours response and coordination with dispatch centers, first responders, agency partners, and peer utilities. This position requires strong technical knowledge, program coordination skills, and the ability to operate both independently and collaboratively in dynamic field and office environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Fire Science, Forestry, Natural Resources, Emergency Management, Engineering, or related field; or equivalent experience
Typically, 5–7 years of related experience in wildland fire suppression, fire management, emergency response, or utility wildfire mitigation
Demonstrated operational experience on incidents managed under the Incident Command System (ICS)
Experience working with or in support of Incident Management Teams (Type 1, 2, 3, or Complex IMTs) or similar multi-agency environments
Experience serving in a liaison or coordination role with external agencies and internal stakeholders
Experience conducting field observations, safety assessments, or compliance reviews in operational environments
Experience developing and delivering training for field personnel or stakeholders
Working knowledge of wildfire behavior, fire weather, and suppression tactics
Current NWCG Single Resource Boss qualification with demonstrated fireline experience and training, such as Crew Boss (CRWB), Engine Boss (ENGB), Felling Boss (FELB), Firing Boss (FIRB), Heavy Equipment Boss (HEQB), Helicopter Manager (HMGB)
Completion of NWCG and ICS training (ICS-200, ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, S-230, Crew Boss (Single Resource), S-290, Intermediate Wildland Fire Behavior, and RT-130, Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher (WFSTAR)
Completion and Certification of NWCG Engine Boss, Single Resource (ENGB) Position Task Book, PMS 311-103
Valid driver’s license
Ability to meet arduous duty (red card) physical fitness standards
Intermediate knowledge of project management science, methodologies and standards.
Intermediate knowledge of and ability to integrate project management knowledge areas, including project scope, quality, time, cost, communication, procurement, human resources and risk management.
Intermediate knowledge of and skill in using software applications such as MS Project, PowerPoint, Word, Excel spreadsheets and graphing, Access, Visio, Maximo and Power Plant.
Intermediate knowledge of Project Profile system and PGE email system.
Intermediate knowledge of business process reengineering and continuous improvement methods and concepts.
Intermediate knowledge of systems thinking concepts and principles.
Intermediate knowledge of group problem-solving methods and techniques, including problem analysis, nominal group and brainstorming techniques and consensus building.
Intermediate listening skills, including the ability to draw information out and to see things from another’s perspective.
Intermediate skills in writing technical and business requirements.
Advanced communication skills, both written and oral, including negotiation, persuasion and presentation skills.
Working consulting skills
Intermediate decision-making skills
Intermediate enterprise/business awareness skills
Intermediate negotiation skills
Intermediate organization and prioritization skills
Intermediate presentation/facilitation skills
Intermediate team-building skills
Intermediate written and oral communication skills
Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
Ability to follow accuracy standards
Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
Demonstrates sound memory
Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule
Ability to work long hours
Ability to work a variable schedule
Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
Ability to work shift schedule
Ability to work on-call schedule
Driving/travel/commute
Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 10 lb
Carrying: Up to 10 lb

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with utility operations, including transmission and distribution systems and vegetation management, preferred
Experience with situational awareness tools, GIS platforms, or wildfire intelligence systems, preferred
Advanced NWCG qualifications, such as Division/Group Supervisor (DIVS), Incident Commander Type 3 (ICT3), Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4), Operations Section Chief Type 3 (OPS3), Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 1 (RXB1), Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2 (RXB2), Safety Officer, Field (SOFF), Safety Officer Type 3 (SOF3), Strike Team Leader Engine (STEN), Task Force Leader (TFLD), or Field Observer (FOBS)
Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (CWMS) or similar credential
ICS-400 and/or FEMA Professional Development Series M-410 or facilitative instructor experience delivering wildfire mitigation, fire prevention, or electrical safety training
NWCG fire investigation experience or qualifications (e.g., INVF) and completion of FI-110 and FI-210 preferred
PE and/or PMP certification

Responsibilities

Program Implementation and Support Support execution of wildfire mitigation initiatives aligned with PGE’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan, with emphasis on Grid Operations & Protocols Contribute to program tracking, documentation, and continuous improvement efforts across wildfire operations workstreams Partner with internal stakeholders (e.g., T&D Operations, Generation, Vegetation Management, Emergency Management, Safety) to integrate wildfire mitigation practices into field execution
Situational Awareness and Operational Coordination Monitor fire danger conditions, fire weather, and wildfire activity using internal systems and publicly available tools (e.g., detection cameras, satellite hotspot platforms) Maintain situational awareness of new and emerging wildfire starts and assess potential impacts to PGE infrastructure and operations Provide timely internal communication, reporting, and coordination when wildfire threats are identified Monitor incidents virtually when deployment is not required, maintaining awareness and providing updates as conditions change Coordinate and share situational awareness, intelligence, and operational considerations with neighboring utilities and regional partners, particularly where assets are interconnected or jointly impacted Participate in a rotating on-call duty schedule to support after-hours response and coordination needs
Incident Response and Coordination Deploy to wildfire and all-hazard incidents as a PGE representative when infrastructure is threatened or upon agency request Operate within the Incident Command System (ICS) as a liaison, technical specialist, or agency representative Coordinate with IMTs and agency partners to support safe access to utility infrastructure and align suppression and restoration priorities Serve as a field liaison between PGE and incident personnel to facilitate damage assessment and restoration access, acting as a qualified conduit and safety escort for utility crews Provide real-time situational awareness and communicate incident conditions, risks, and operational needs to internal stakeholders and PGE’s incident management team Support PGE’s incident management team during wildfire incidents and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, including participation in exercises
Field Readiness and Compliance Conduct fire season field assessments of utility crews and contractors to verify compliance with wildfire mitigation requirements, land management rules and restrictions, and safe work practices Perform tools and equipment inspections to ensure adherence to fire season requirements and operational readiness standards Provide real-time coaching, education, and feedback to improve operational awareness and performance Support fire season readiness activities, including patrols, situational awareness inputs, and field-based risk identification
Training and Program Development Develop and deliver wildfire mitigation operations and safety training programs, including computer-based training (CBT), instructor-led training, and hands-on field instruction Support development of standards, procedures, and tools to improve consistency in wildfire mitigation practices Contribute to after-action reviews, exercises, and lessons learned to inform program improvements
Stakeholder Engagement and Industry Collaboration Build and maintain relationships with federal, state, tribal, and local fire agencies and emergency management partners Support agency coordination efforts, including participation in pre-season meetings, exercises, and active incident coordination calls (e.g., cooperator calls) Represent PGE as a wildfire subject matter expert in community outreach, training engagements, and industry forums Participate in industry working groups and information-sharing efforts, including coordination with peer utilities, to support adoption of best practices and continuous improvement
Project Consultation and Planning Responsible for leading a single moderate-sized project or for multiple minor projects. Types include, but are not limited to, business systems or process improvement, department reorganizations and strategy implementation, training, feasibility studies and pilots. Consults with operations managers to ensure strategic alignment, cost effectiveness and mitigation of negative operational and/or customer service impacts of business initiatives and projects; works with project sponsor to develop objectives and scope; assists in or develops business case/justification. Develops project plan(s) including work breakdown structure, schedule and cost baselines, dependencies and project roles and resource requirements; identifies project risks and mitigation strategies; partners and strategizes with Supply Chain, Legal, IT, Fleet and project sponsor on vendor contract negotiations.
Strategy and Team Leadership Leads a project team or one major team in completing a project. Provides staff leadership to team members; facilitates team meetings; cultivates and reinforces group values, norms and behaviors; provides guidance and motivation to team on performance and productivity issues; ensures compliance with established project management methodologies and standards; takes corrective action as needed.
Project Controls Establishes and maintains formal controls to manage and monitor project budget, scope, quality, schedule and risks to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and effectively. Negotiates necessary project changes with project sponsor. Maintains, adjusts and updates project plans as needed.
Stakeholder Engagement Develops communication plans and strategies; provides timely, accurate communication of project plans and status to stakeholders.
Process Improvement Leads and/or facilitates business process improvement activities; assists managers and subject matter experts to identify, understand and improve or revise processes, practices and policies; assists managers in establishing process controls in order to measure baseline and post-improvement performance to monitor success of improvement initiatives.
Project Reporting and Documentation Follows program governance to ensure all project documents are catalogued and archived in a secure and efficient manner; documents and files all “lessons learned” along with all project artifacts.
Internal Collaboration Partners with program managers and project managers to improve overall organizational competencies in project and program management; collaborates with program/project manager peer group to continually improve.
External Relationships Occasionally partners and participates with customers and/or other utilities to strengthen and create opportunities to share best practices.