Forestry Specialist

At ACRT, we put safety first. Our culture is built around people—our employees, customers, and the communities we serve. As the only independent national vegetation management consulting firm, we empower driven individuals to help sustain our world. We offer qualified training opportunities to prepare our team for the challenges of the field.

About the Role

The Forestry Specialist reports to the Operations Manager and plays a key role in identifying, inspecting, and evaluating trees and brush along utility lines. This position submits inspection results to clients with recommendations and plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of assigned tree clearance crews. A love for working outdoors, excellent attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication skills are essential.

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 prescriptions into hand-held computers or similar systems
  • Notify property owners of tree trimming/tree and brush removal work to be performed
  • Manage the issuance of work and track work progress
  • Perform outage investigations as necessary
  • Discuss and negotiate line-clearance crew access issues
  • Lead storm restoration efforts and special initiatives
  • Perform the role of vegetation observer in helicopter patrols as requested
• Tree Trimming Assessments
  • Audit tree trimming and tree removal work completed by contractors to ensure compliance with work request forms and approved standards
  • Determine when the next tree trimming is required
  • Complete post-audit forms indicating the adequacy of work and forward them 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 document work
  • Comply with all regulatory requirements and client vegetation management standards
  • Perform emergency response duties in accordance with safety requirements, laws, and labor agreements
  • Adhere to attendance and work hour requirements
  • Conduct work in a safety-conscious manner
  • Wear required safety equipment (e.g., hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses)
  • 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 and a positive attitude toward customers, peers, and the company
  • Maintain working relationships with local client personnel and relevant governmental agencies
  • Participate in public presentations and meetings as required
• 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 or 5 years of experience in lieu of a High School Diploma or GED
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Natural Resources, or a related field (preferred)
• ISA Arborist certification (preferred)
• State-issued Pesticide license (preferred)
• 3 years of utility vegetation management experience (preferred)

Skills

• Ability to learn and use company or job-specific software systems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) or similar software
• 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 or as part of a team
• Strong communication skills, comfortable interacting with senior management, customers, and clients
• Demonstrated critical thinking and good judgment for business decisions
• Strong understanding of FAC-003
• Proven project management ability

This role would not be a good fit if:

• You do not enjoy working independently
• You do not enjoy working outdoors
• You are not comfortable driving a pickup truck or 4x4 off-road vehicle
• You are not comfortable interacting with customers via phone calls and email on a consistent basis

Drug testing is required.

Schedule

Work on a 4x10 schedule (four 10-hour days per week).

Benefits

• Health and Safety
  • Group health plans including medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage options
  • Company-paid group life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short- and long-term disability
  • Flexible Spending Accounts or 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 veterans
• Perks
  • Company vehicle and gas card
  • Meal and travel per diems when traveling
  • Boot allowance
  • Certification reimbursement program