Senior Consulting Utility Forester

About The Role

The Senior Consulting Utility Forester 1 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.

• Supervise a Team of Consulting Utility Foresters
• Plan and organize daily routes and assignments for CUFs
• Responsible for new hire training and orientation
• Keep track of and run audits on the CUF team performance
• Keep track of and report monthly production data
• Act as the liaison between CUFs and Operation Managers
• Vegetation Inspecting & Management
• Identify and inspect local trees with an understanding of growth rates
• Map 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 uses 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 in storm restoration efforts
• 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
• Obtain permits from public agencies and documents work
• Comply with all regulatory requirements and client vegetation management standards
• Other duties as assigned.

About You

• Must haves:
• Education: Associates Degree in Forestry or Horticulture
• Experience: 1 year experience on the OG&E system and four years of related utility experience.
• Possess an ISA certification.
• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Nice to haves:
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry or Horticulture
• Experience: Certification for ISA Utility Specialist is a plus.

Your 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 read and follow maps
• Ability to drive and operate a 4x4 vehicle
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task, and work independently and 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 good business decisions
• Knowledge of vegetation management and herbicide
• Knowledge of electric utility facilities and hardware

What You’ll Do

• Supervise a Team of Consulting Utility Foresters
• Plan and organize daily routes and assignments for CUFs
• Responsible for new hire training and orientation
• Keep track of and run audits on the CUF team performance
• Keep track of and report monthly production data
• Act as the liaison between CUFs and Operation Managers
• Vegetation Inspecting & Management
• Identify and inspect local trees with an understanding of growth rates
• Map 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 uses 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 in storm restoration efforts
• 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
• Obtain permits from public agencies and documents work
• Comply with all regulatory requirements and client vegetation management standards
• Other duties as assigned.