Contract Forester

ArborMetrics (AMS) is a leading provider of vegetation and asset management consulting services to the utility industry. Successful professionals at AMS come from diverse backgrounds including forestry, arboriculture, natural resources, and environmental sciences.

About the role

As a Contract Forester, you will work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced, outdoor environment. You’ll advance a culture of safety and excellence while providing quality vegetation management services 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, 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

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or related discipline, or equivalent work experience (education may be required dependent on client contract).
• Experience in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, or tree-related green industry preferred.
• Knowledge or practical experience in tree identification.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Experience with GIS software/technology, Microsoft Suite, and iPhone.
• 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

• Certified ISA Arborist.
• Bilingual (Spanish).
• Utility line clearance or tree trimming experience.

Working Environment

• Primarily outdoor field environment, including low light conditions and foot patrol of energy corridors near power lines and/or pipelines.
• Work in remote locations as well as urban environments.
• Physical demands include walking/hiking up to 10 miles per day 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 conditions, domestic/wild animals, insects, and poisonous plants.
• Occasional indoor office work or time spent in a vehicle.

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 amounts of weight; 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).
• Ability to verbally communicate, see, and hear in normal range with or without correction.

Benefits

• Industry competitive pay with a weekly pay cycle.
• Company vehicle with a fuel card for work purposes.
• Day 1 Benefits (Full-Time Employees):
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • VOYA retirement savings plan.
  • Paid holidays and EAP (Employee Assistance Program).
• After 3 Months (Full-Time Employees):
  • 401K retirement plan.
  • Life insurance.
  • Vacation accrual.
  • Short and long-term disability.
  • Paid maternity leave.
• Paid sick time.
• Referral bonus program.
• Company-sponsored boot and clothing program (Full-Time Employees).
• Ongoing training and assistance with obtaining industry certifications.

Applicants must pass a pre-employment drug test and criminal background check. All candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and have a good driving record.