Consulting Utility Forester

About the Role

We are seeking an energetic Consulting Utility Forester who enjoys working outdoors, values independence, and thrives in a fast-paced environment. This role involves vegetation management within energy corridors, requiring a commitment to safety, public engagement, and high-quality service delivery. You will advance a culture of safety and excellence while providing value to our customers and clients.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Patrol Preparation
  • Organize records, maps, and paperwork for patrol circuits; maintain accurate documentation.
  • Review work sites for endangered species, sensitive habitats, and incompatible vegetation.
• Field Patrol Duties
  • Safely patrol energy corridors on foot, identifying vegetation for pruning, removal, or protection per Client standards.
  • Classify prescribed work in accordance with field environment and tree condition, including use of herbicide.
  • Conduct Tree Risk Assessments and analyze growth rates.
  • Mark vegetation and prescribe clearance actions in line with Client directives, using ISA pruning techniques and ANSI line clearance standards.
• Landowner & Stakeholder Engagement
  • Use digital tools and maps to identify property boundaries and landowner rights.
  • Communicate work plans to property owners, agencies, and organizations.
  • Obtain permissions for vegetation work from private/public landowners and agencies.
  • Provide professional customer service and foster positive community relations.
• Vegetation Management & Compliance
  • Recommend sustainable vegetation management strategies using IVM principles.
  • Audit contractor work for compliance with Client specifications.
  • Investigate tree-related outages and document findings.
  • Address customer service and internal compliance issues.
• Coordination & Safety
  • Coordinate non-routine work with stakeholders and contractors.
  • Report safety concerns, incidents, and hazards immediately.
  • Follow all safety protocols, including AMS Code of Safe Practices and wildfire prevention plans.
  • Operate vehicles safely and travel to assigned work areas.
• Additional Responsibilities
  • Participate in storm and emergency response as needed.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma.
• One year minimum experience in electric utility vegetation management (UVM).
• Licensed Public Pesticide Operator (Public Utility) or the ability to obtain this license.
• Knowledge or practical experience in tree identification.
• Knowledge of common computer applications and ability to learn new programs.
• Valid US driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Experience with GIS software/technology, Microsoft Suite, and iPhone/iPad products.
• Ability to work alone, outdoors in various weather conditions and terrain.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, strong problem-solving and multi-tasking abilities, and attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or related discipline or equivalent work experience.
• Experience in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, or tree-related green industry.
• Certified ISA Arborist.
• Project management or crew oversight experience.
• Bilingual (Spanish).
• Utility line clearance or tree trimming experience.

Working Environment

Work is primarily outdoors in a field environment, often in low-light conditions. Tasks include foot patrol of energy corridors near power lines and pipelines, in remote, urban, or city environments. Physical demands involve:

• Walking/hiking up to 10 miles daily on various surfaces (flat, dry, wet, slippery, rocky, sandy, uneven, rough, unstable, steep terrain, hills, slopes, dense vegetation).
• Exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, extreme weather (snow, ice, fog, humidity, high/low temperatures), hazardous traffic, domestic/wild animals, insects, and poisonous plants.
• Occasional work in a vehicle or limited indoor office time.

Physical Requirements

• Sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment.
• Walk up to 10 miles per day, stand, sit, and operate a motor vehicle for prolonged periods.
• Frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, run, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp, and perform repetitive hand, arm, and shoulder movements (e.g., forcefully beat down brush).
• Carry, push, and/or pull light to heavy weights; frequently lift up to 10 lbs and occasionally lift up to 60 lbs (e.g., sandbags).
• Operate assigned field equipment (handheld computer, range finder, fyrake, water backpack, shovel, traffic cone).
• Verbally communicate to exchange information with the public.
• See and hear within normal range, with or without correction.

Benefits

• Industry competitive pay.
• Company vehicle with a fuel card for work purposes.
• Day 1 Benefits (Full-Time Employees):
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, VOYA, Paid Holidays, EAP.
• After 3 Months:
  • 401K, Life Insurance, Vacation Accrual, Short and Long-term Disability, Paid Maternity Leave.
• Paid Sick Time.
• Weekly Pay Cycle.
• Performance Incentive and Referral Bonus Program.
• Company-sponsored boot and clothing program (Full-Time Employees).
• Ongoing training and assistance with obtaining industry certifications.