Utility Forester Associate

Job posting closes on 08-27-2026.

About the Role

The Utility Forester Associate assigns and recommends industry-accepted management practices to provide corrective control of non-compatible vegetation conditions in utility rights of way to vegetation control contractors. This role involves inspecting ongoing and completed assignments to ensure contract compliance, reducing preventable vegetation-related service interruptions, and providing access to facilities for repair and inspection.

Responsibilities

• Patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetative conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations; maintain records of work and arrange access with landowners.
• Investigate and resolve landowner issues and concerns.
• Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of facilities, with assistance.
• Determine future utility vegetation management needs and recommend short- and long-term work plans and best management practices, with assistance.
• Contact governmental agencies, utilities, landowners, and others to coordinate right-of-way vegetation management work plans.
• Inspect vegetation management and work planning contractors for contract compliance; recommend acceptance or corrective action.
• Recommend work plans, priorities, schedules, and contractor requirements in line with the vegetation management program, with assistance.
• Apply and stay informed of current contract provisions.
• Maintain records and prepare reports on costs, production, and work quality.
• Operate forestry computer programs and records systems.
• Guide and train others in proper work practices and utility vegetation management procedures.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and two (2) years of experience as a contract utility forester, or
• Associate’s degree in one of the same fields and four (4) years of experience in the utility vegetation management industry, or
• High school diploma and six (6) years as a contract forester or related position in the utility industry.
• Knowledge and safe use of pesticides required; Arborist certification and Certified Pesticide Applicator’s license are desirable.
• Professionalism and diplomacy to communicate the Company’s vegetation control projects to the public.
• Competency in GIS systems and Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and other analytical tools.
• Extensive travel required to inspect and plan for the Company’s right-of-way maintenance program.
• Courses in horticulture and/or vegetation management are desirable.

Pay

Base salary range: $54,063–$67,578 per year.

Benefits

AEP offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports and enhances the overall well-being of employees.

Physical Demands

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