Operations Manager | Northern CA

At ACRT, we put safety first. Our culture is centered on 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 teams for the challenges of field work and support our clients in reaching their fullest potential.

About the role

The Operations Manager - Northern California reports to the Senior Operations Manager at ACRT Pacific. This position leads field operations across Northern California, primarily supporting the Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) contract. The role ensures safe, high-quality, productive, and financially responsible execution of a complex regional operation, serving as a key connection between field teams, senior leadership, corporate partners, and the client. Strong operational judgment, leadership, communication, and the ability to manage priorities across a geographically dispersed workforce are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily field operations, including oversight of field teams and supervisors, workforce planning, scheduling, and resource utilization.
• Ensure contract requirements, client expectations, safety standards, productivity targets, and quality requirements are consistently met.
• Monitor operational results, identify risks or performance gaps, and develop action plans to support safe and effective execution.
• Maintain regular in-person presence with teams throughout the Northern California area of responsibility.
• Support project start-ups, new business implementation, and strategic initiatives in partnership with senior operations leadership.
• Provide leadership and direction to assigned field teams and supervisors.
• Develop team capability through employee training, supervisor development, performance support, and operational coaching.
• Manage time and attendance approvals and reinforce consistent performance and accountability expectations.
• Support workforce planning, staffing needs, and employee development in partnership with senior operations leadership and corporate support teams.
• Serve as a primary operational liaison among field staff, corporate support teams, senior management, and the client.
• Manage local budgets, profitability goals, resource planning, and operational performance metrics.
• Prepare reports, presentations, analyses, action plans, and other business documents to support operational decision-making.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with client representatives, internal partners, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure operations are conducted in accordance with applicable company policies, client requirements, safety standards, and legal or regulatory requirements.
• Support emergency response and other operational needs in accordance with safety requirements, applicable law, and client expectations.
• Conduct work in a safety-conscious manner and reinforce safe work practices across assigned operations.

Requirements

• Two- or four-year degree in Forestry, Horticulture, Natural Resources, or a related field; or four (4) years of Utility Vegetation Management experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of three (3) years of Utility Vegetation Management experience and at least one (1) year of supervisory experience.
• ISA Certified Arborist credential required.
• Must live within the Northern California area of responsibility or relocate within a reasonable distance, as determined by senior management, within 90 days.

Preferred Qualifications

• Supervisory experience in Utility Vegetation Management.

Skills

• Ability to learn and use company, client, or job-specific software systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) or similar software suite.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with field employees, senior management, corporate partners, customers, and clients.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and ability to exercise sound judgment to make business decisions.
• Ability to analyze operational performance information and use data to support decisions, action planning, and follow-through.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across a geographically dispersed operation.
• Knowledge of budgeting, profitability, resource planning, and operational performance management.
• Ability to coach supervisors and employees, reinforce expectations, and support consistent execution.

Training & Compliance

• All employees are required to complete assigned company safety and driver training, as applicable to the position.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of applicable post-offer screening requirements, which may include drug screening and a background check, in accordance with applicable law.

Work Environment

• Works across office, remote, client, and field settings.
• Expected to maintain regular in-person presence with assigned teams throughout Northern California.
• Field visits may involve outdoor environments, varying weather conditions, and uneven terrain.
• Frequent regional travel is required, including travel multiple times per week and overnight travel when needed for team support, client meetings, project start-ups, and other business needs.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Provides direct operational leadership to assigned field teams and supervisors, including workforce planning, performance support, coaching, development, time and attendance oversight, and day-to-day accountability for operational execution.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Must be able to lift and/or carry up to 40 pounds, including field equipment and water bags.
• Must be able to walk for extended periods of time, including over uneven, rough, and/or sloped terrain.
• Must be able to frequently stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach while performing field duties.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand.
• Must be able to exchange accurate information in various situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and crouching.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment when in field environments.

Pay

Salary Range: $135,000 - $148,000 annually. This position is classified as exempt based on job duties.