Utility Forester: Associate - Senior

Job posting will close the day before the posted end date.

About the Role

Assign and recommend industry-accepted management practices to provide corrective control of non-compatible vegetation conditions in utility rights of way to vegetation control contractors. Inspect ongoing and completed assignments to assure contract compliance, reduce preventable vegetation interruptions of service, and provide 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 with landowners for vegetation management and access.
• Investigate and resolve landowner issues and concerns.
• With assistance, estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of new and existing facilities.
• With assistance, determine future utility vegetation management requirements and recommend short and long-term vegetation management work plans and best management practices.
• Contact governmental agencies, other utilities, landowners, and others to arrange and coordinate right-of-way vegetation management work plans.
• Inspect vegetation management and work planning contractors for contract compliance; recommend acceptance or corrective action.
• With assistance, recommend work plans, priorities, schedules, and contractor requirements in accordance with the vegetation management program.
• 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 involved with the vegetation management program in proper work practices and procedures.
• Communicate courteously and professionally with employees, customers, and the general public.

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’ experience in utility vegetation management, OR
• High school diploma and six (6) years as a contract forester or other related positions in the utility industry.
• Knowledge and safe use of pesticides required; Certified Pesticide Applicator’s license is desirable.
• Arborist certification is desirable.
• Courses in horticulture and/or vegetation management are desirable.
• Competency in GIS systems and Microsoft Office components (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and other analytical tools is required.
• Must live within a 35-mile radius (40 roadway miles) of the service location.
• Must be available for overtime callout, including weekends and holidays.
• Extensive travel is required to inspect and plan for the Company’s right-of-way maintenance program.
• Must act as a professional, employing diplomacy to promote the Company’s vegetation control projects to the public.

Schedule

40 hours per week with overtime and travel as required.

Pay

• Utility Forester Associate: $54,063 – $81,095
• Utility Forester: $63,496 – $95,242
• Utility Forester Senior: $74,551 – $111,826

Benefits

AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our 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 otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods.