Associate Forester

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people.

About the role

CenterPoint Energy is looking for an Associate Forester to join our Vegetation Management Team, located in Houston, Texas. You will coordinate, benchmark, oversee, and complete all land and right-of-way, distribution, and transmission utility vegetation management (VM) projects for capital projects as well as ongoing proactive programs. This includes inspecting vegetation clearances to ensure quality and compliance with company standards and state/federal regulations. As a certified arborist, you will promote the company VM program, interact with community and stakeholder organizations, and resolve local governmental issues related to tree trimming conflicts. Reports to the Vegetation Management Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Assign and field check vegetation work for construction of the distribution system associated with overhead capital transmission and distribution projects, ensuring compliance with company standards and governmental regulations.
• Coordinate and schedule ongoing transmission and distribution VM line clearance activities in assigned areas to meet service reliability goals and VM objectives for DPCM and internal clients. This represents the company’s single largest operating expense, spanning 4,000–6,000 miles, with critical reporting to agencies like the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
• Assist internal clients in analyzing vegetation-related problems, developing corrective procedures, and administering unplanned maintenance projects.
• Monitor and audit contractor work activities to ensure compliance with contract guidelines, evaluate job performance, and assess cost effectiveness.
• Review and approve contractor invoicing for accuracy in assigned areas.
• Coordinate contractor response for service restoration following storms, including scheduled "on-call" rotations after normal working hours.
• Meet with customers to address VM program concerns, resolve complaints or work refusals, and enforce company policies, particularly for internal construction projects.
• Prepare, maintain, and correct job orders in the company work management system to meet vendor invoicing and administrative requirements.
• Ensure project documentation and closeout comply with SAP process flow guidelines.
• Coordinate the review and response to incoming customer trim requests or complaints with multiple stakeholders to confirm and prioritize prompt contractor response.
• Provide status reports to supervisors and internal clients for budget and work management.
• Develop and evaluate initiatives to improve operational efficiencies or processes.
• Field check proposed job sites to coordinate activities with city, county, or state improvement projects, other utilities, and customers to avoid conflicts.
• Work with governmental representatives to coordinate VM activities on public properties and ensure compliance with vegetation-related ordinances on company properties.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Arboriculture, Forestry, Urban Forestry, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Industry experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Texas Department of Agriculture Non-Commercial Pesticide Applicator’s license (can be obtained after employment).
• International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist certification (preferred).
• Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) (preferred).
• One year of experience as a Vegetation Management (VM) arborist performing vegetation management activities directly for an electric utility company and/or a VM contractor providing services for an electric utility (preferred).

Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Paid training
• Benefits eligibility begins on your first day
• Transit subsidies
• Flexible work schedule, paid holidays, and paid time off
• Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at headquarters in Houston
• Professional growth and development programs, including tuition reimbursement
• 401(k) Savings Plan with a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

Schedule

Full-time. Includes scheduled periodic "on-call" rotations after normal working hours for storm response.