Forestry Specialist

About the Team

At ACRT, we put safety first. Beyond that, our culture always has been, and always will be, about one thing: people. It’s about our employees, our customers, and the communities our customers serve. We empower the best people to help sustain our world. We’re the only independent national vegetation management consulting firm — giving us the freedom to put our clients first. We’re always looking for driven individuals with good customer service skills who love the outdoors and appreciate the support and independence we provide. We offer qualified training opportunities in areas where they are needed to help our customers reach their fullest potential, preparing them for what their work throws at them.

About the Role

The Forestry Specialist reports to the Operations Manager at ACRT Inc. This position will play a key role in identifying, inspecting, and evaluating trees and brush along utility lines and submitting inspection results to clients with recommendations. This position plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of assigned tree clearance crews. This role requires a love for working outside, excellent attention to detail, and exceptional interpersonal communications skills.

Responsibilities

• Vegetation Inspecting & Management
  • Identify and inspect local trees demonstrating an understanding of growth rates
  • Map out circuits using client continuity lists
  • Patrol and investigate distribution and/or transmission circuits and prescribed work to be performed by client tree trimming contractors
  • Enter tree trimming/tree and brush removal prescription into hand-held computer or other similar systems, and use computers and associated software to perform duties
  • Notify property owners of tree trimming/tree and brush removal work to be performed relating to client specifications
  • Manage the issuance of work and track work progress
  • Perform outage investigations, when necessary
  • Discuss and negotiate line-clearance crew access issues
  • Lead storm restoration efforts and special initiatives
  • Perform role of vegetation observer in helicopter patrols as requested
• Tree Trimming Assessments
  • Audit tree trimming and tree removal work completed by the tree trimming contractor in the field to ensure compliance with work request forms and approved tree trimming
  • Determine when the next tree trimming is required
  • Complete post audit forms indicating adequacy of the tree trimming and tree removal work, and forward the completed forms to the vegetation management program manager or coordinator
• Maintain State, Local, & Organizational Compliance
  • Conduct training on proper quality assessments
  • Obtain permits from public agencies and documents work
  • Comply with all regulatory requirements and client vegetation management standards
  • As requested, perform all necessary duties for emergency response in accordance with all safety requirements, law and regulations, and applicable labor agreements
  • Adhere to all attendance and work hour requirements
  • Conduct work in a safety-conscious manner as not to endanger themselves or others
  • Wear safety-related equipment such as hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses, etc.
  • Know and exemplify ACRT’s Guiding Principles
  • Conduct safety and productivity audits, quality assurance, and quality control assessments
• Positively Build Upon New & Existing Relationships
  • Serve as a liaison between clients, tree crews, and client customers
  • Display optimism about the work to be done and demonstrate a positive attitude towards customers, peers, and the company
  • Maintain working relationships with local client personnel as well as all relevant federal, state and local governmental agencies
  • May be required to participate in public presentations and meetings
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Associate's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources or a related field or High School Diploma or GED, plus 2 years of utility vegetation management experience. May substitute 5 years of experience in lieu of a High School Diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Qualifications

• Must haves:
  • Associate's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources or a related field or High School Diploma or GED, plus 2 years of utility vegetation management experience (5 years of experience may substitute for diploma/GED)
  • Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Nice to haves:
  • Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources or a related field
  • ISA Arborist certification
  • State-issued Pesticide license
  • 3 years of utility vegetation management experience

Skills

• Ability to learn and use company or job-specific software systems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) or similar software suite
• Ability to identify local trees and knowledge of growth rates
• Ability to work in rugged terrain and inclement weather
• Ability to drive and operate a 4x4 vehicle
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task and work independently as well as a team
• Excellent communication skills, comfortable interacting with senior management, customers, and clients
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and ability to exercise good judgement to make sound business decisions
• Strong understanding of FAC-003
• Proven ability and knowledge of project management

Benefits

• Health and Safety
  • Group health plans including medical/prescription, dental, vision and a variety of other coverage options
  • Company-paid group life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts or an option for a Health Savings Account with company match
  • Company-paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees and eligible family members
• Retirement
  • Automatic enrollment in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) at no cost
  • Roth or Traditional 401(k) Retirement plan with company match
• Time Off
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays including the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve
  • Veterans Day paid time off for our veterans
• Perks
  • Work on a 4x10 schedule
  • Company vehicle and gas card
  • Meal and travel per diems (allowances) when traveling
  • Boot allowance
  • Certification reimbursement program

Drug testing is required.

Employees will take their company-provided vehicle to where they need to report for the day. They will generally not need to report to an office.