Trans Sys Forestry Coord Sr- Staff

Responsible for the coordination and execution of capital construction vegetation management activities for the transmission system, including contractor oversight, project bids, budget/cash flow projections, and performance analysis of various program initiatives. Engage Transmission Forester during the in-servicing of the line and hand over to operations. Work with forestry management to allocate resources, manage contracts, oversee programs, and interface with external stakeholders within and outside of AEP Transmission.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain performance analysis of various program initiatives, allocation of resources, contract management, and program status to enhance program and corporate goals.
• Assist or manage contractor oversight programs, including work quality, productivity, and safety.
• Develop and/or assist in developing annual operations, maintenance, and capital budgets for the forestry function.
• Coordinate the development and recommendations for approval of policies, practices, and procedures pertaining to right-of-way maintenance activities.
• Coordinate the development and application of new technologies to enhance right-of-way maintenance programs.
• Coordinate the development of new methods for performing right-of-way maintenance work and make recommendations concerning their use.
• Recommend future line clearance requirements for both short-term and long-term vegetation management plans.
• Create and present materials related to Transmission forestry operations to internal and external stakeholders as assigned (Principal/Staff level).
• Promote and enforce adherence to the Company’s Accident Prevention and Safety and Health programs (Staff level).
• Ensure all Transmission construction investments are charged in accordance with AEP accounting policies and coordinate the development of annual O&M and capital budgets for vegetation clearing of Transmission construction projects; monitor budget compliance (Staff level).
• Develop and coordinate communication plans associated with Transmission Forestry and contractor projects (Staff level).
• Anticipate, forecast, procure, and allocate resources based on organizational goals and ongoing capital project schedules to mitigate operational risk (Staff level).
• Execute the capital construction vegetation management strategy and implement new program initiatives to ensure continuous improvement (Staff level).
• Drive process changes to achieve results and meet or exceed program expectations (Staff level).
• Assist in the development and maintenance of contract specifications and bid documents for capital construction vegetation clearing (Staff level).
• Coordinate storm and disaster response for vegetation management contractors and Forestry staff to support Transmission restoration needs (Staff level).
• Foster continuous improvement efforts for both internal employees and contractors (Staff level).
• Strategically build and maintain key contacts and relationships (Staff level).
• Serve as liaison between Forestry, Contract Support, Generation, Project Management, Safety, Environmental, and Outreach for capital construction vegetation management activities (Staff level).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Business, Construction Management, Project Management, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and:
  • 2 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Senior level), or
  • 5 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Principal level), or
  • 12 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Staff level).
• Alternatively, Associate's degree in one of the above fields and:
  • 4 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Senior level), or
  • 7 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Principal level), or
  • 14 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Staff level).
• Alternatively, High school diploma/GED equivalent and:
  • 6 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Senior level), or
  • 9 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Principal level), or
  • 16 years of experience in utility vegetation management industry (Staff level).
• Strong analytical skills and ability to work with various Forestry groups and AEP internal customers (e.g., Transmission, Corporate Planning & Budgeting, Internal Audits) as well as external customers (e.g., line clearing contractors).
• Strong oral and written communication skills; consultative and advisory skills.
• Knowledge of Business Objects and other financial reporting systems.
• Competency in Microsoft Office products.
• Working knowledge of financial and economic analysis, disaster recovery, project management, and risk management (Staff level).
• Demonstrated leadership skills (Staff level).
• Travel throughout the AEP Transmission footprint required (Staff level).
• Strong employee and customer relationship-building skills (Staff level).
• Innovative and creative conflict management skills (Staff level).
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic internal and external relationships (Staff level).

Qualifications

• ISA Certified Arborist/Utility Arborist is required (Staff level).
• Valid state driver’s license.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred (Staff level).

Pay

• Trans Sys Forestry Coord Sr (SG-6): $74,551–$86,976
• Trans Sys Forestry Coord Prin (SG-7): $87,633–$102,241
• Trans Sys Forestry Coord Staff (SG-8): $98,993–$118,790

Benefits

AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

Schedule

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods.