Senior Vegetation Management Inspector (TRAQ) | Chico, CA

About the role

The Senior Vegetation Management Inspector (SVMI) position is ideal for seasoned forestry professionals with an educational background in forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, environmental studies, conservation, or related disciplines and with experience in these fields and line of work. The position is contingent at the approval of our contractors and may support Vegetation Management Inspector (VMI).

Responsibilities

• Solves obstacles to allow for the completion of the work in a safe, cost-effective, efficient, timely, and productive manner, such as managing time and expenses (T&E) in the field, to minimize rework and drive quality.
• Manages day-to-day activities to ensure personnel stay focused on the assigned job and verifies appropriate scope is being achieved, applicable equipment is utilized, and proper documentation is updated.
• Audits work performed by VMIs to ensure compliance with applicable standards.
• Assists with the training and onboarding of VM Inspectors.
• Supports PGE Work Verification team to ensure observations are being properly addressed in a timely manner.
• Maintains working relationships with public agencies, PG&E’s tree contractors, and assists in escalated work such as customer complaints.
• Patrols distribution or transmission circuits and prescribes work to be performed by PG&E’s tree contractor, ensuring compliance for a minimum of one calendar year.
• Determines when the next trim is required and whether a trim or removal is necessary, assessing all trees with the potential to strike PG&E facilities for failure likelihood and hazards.
• Performs and documents Safety Observations and Good Catches.
• Ensures work is performed in accordance with PG&E Vegetation Management Standards and Procedures, project specifications, applicable permits, and safety requirements, and in compliance with all governing federal, state, and local jurisdictional agencies.
• Utilizes computers and runs reports and updates data within PG&E’s VMDSRs.
• Trains and assists in the local Divisional Operational Emergency Center (OEC) in the role of Vegetation Resource Coordinator, as required.
• Assists in fire and incident investigations.
• Assists in customer claims investigations.
• Performs emergency response duties as directed by PG&E representatives.
• Identifies and notifies the PG&E representative of newly identified Idle and Private Lines.
• Performs other work as directed by the PG&E representative or PG&E standards and procedures.

Qualifications

• MUST meet the general requirement below: TRAQ Certification
• MUST have a High School diploma or GED
• MUST have a Class C driver’s license
• MUST meet one of the following experience levels:
• FIVE (5) years of experience as a tree crew climber/tree crew foreman with at least two (2) years of line clearance certification
• FIVE (5) years of experience as a Vegetation Management Inspector and Certified Arborist
• FIVE (5) years of experience as a Registered Professional Forester
• FIVE (5) years of experience as a Utility Inspector or higher classification with at least one (1) year of vegetation management experience
• FOUR (4) years of Military Service with honorable discharge and at least one (1) year additional year of vegetation management inspection experience
• APPROVAL BY PG&E REPRESENTATIVE REQUIRED

Skills

• Ability to identify local trees and knowledge of growth rates
• High level of communication and organization skills required
• High level of Customer Service skills required
• Experience working with data collection devices and GIS software desired
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office
• Self-motivated, organized, production oriented
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in varied terrain and inclement weather with flexible schedules (available nights and weekends as needed)
• Ability to learn and use company- or job-specific software systems
• Ability to work in rugged terrain and inclement weather
• Ability to read and follow maps
• Accountability: accepts personal responsibility for quality and timeliness of work
• Accuracy and work quality: performs work completely, correctly, and in a professional manner
• Adaptability and flexibility: meets the changing conditions and situations in work responsibilities
• Communications: possesses strong verbal and written communication skills and is able to present ideas in formal and informal situations
• Creativity: possesses ability to develop and present new ideas and better ways of doing things
• Dependability: is reliable and has the ability to do required jobs
• Drive and achievement orientation: sets challenging goals for self and willingly puts in extra time and effort in crisis situations
• Independence: possesses the ability to work independently
• Interpersonal skills: builds constructive and effective relationships
• Job knowledge: possesses sufficient skill and knowledge to perform all aspects of the job
• Positive attitude: displays optimism about the work to be done and demonstrates a positive attitude towards customers, peers, and the company
• Quantity of work: generates adequate amounts of work based on the job requirements
• Work comparability: performs work that is comparable to other employees with the same length of service in the same position

Training

• OSHA 30-hour construction safety overview (Must be completed within six months of start date)
• Certified Tree Safety Professional (CTSP) or Certified Arborist (CA) from the International Society of Arborist with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) certificate (Must be completed within six months of test eligibility)
• 911 Standby training (Must be completed within one month of start date)
• Working knowledge of QA/QC (Must be completed within one month of start date)
• Computer training (e.g., completion of forms, uploading of documents, accessing GIS) (Must completed within one month of start date)