Associate Forester

About the Role

CenterPoint Energy is looking for an Associate Forester to join our Vegetation Management Team 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 and ongoing proactive programs. This includes inspecting vegetation clearances for quality and compliance with company standards and state/federal regulations, using certified arborist expertise to promote the VM program, and interacting with community and stakeholder organizations to resolve tree-trimming conflicts. Reports to the Vegetation Management Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Assign and field-check vegetation work for distribution system construction 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, managing 4,000–6,000 miles of infrastructure and reporting to oversight agencies like the Public Utility Commission of Texas and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
• Assist internal clients with vegetation-related problem analysis, corrective work procedures, and unplanned maintenance projects.
• Monitor and audit contractor work activities for contract compliance, performance evaluation, and 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.
• Prepare, maintain, and correct job orders in the company work management system to meet vendor invoicing and administrative requirements.
• Ensure project documentation and close-out requirements comply with SAP process flow guidelines.
• Coordinate review and response to incoming customer trim requests or complaints with multiple stakeholders to prioritize and confirm 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 (or equivalent industry experience).
• 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 for an electric utility company or VM contractor providing services to an electric utility.

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 fitness club discounts 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 3% company contribution regardless of employee contribution.

Schedule

Full-time position.