Senior Vegetation Management Inspector | Richmond, CA

ACRT Services • Richmond, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Vegetation Management Inspector (SVMI) performs vegetation inspections, audits, and contractor-performance monitoring, and may plan, direct, and coordinate tree-clearance crew activities. The role serves as a liaison among clients, tree crews, customers, public agencies, and PG&E representatives. Work assignments are contingent on ACRT Pacific’s contractual agreement with the customer and may end in response to an RFP or RFQ. The role is designated safety-sensitive, and the employee must reside within 50 miles of Richmond, California.

The SVMI patrols distribution and transmission circuits, identifies trees and brush that may threaten electric facilities, and prescribes pruning or removal work to satisfy applicable clearance, regulatory, and PG&E vegetation-management requirements. The role verifies that patrols and work are completed and documented according to annual plans, standards, permits, project specifications, safety requirements, and governing laws. The SVMI may also conduct quality audits, support inspector training and onboarding, assist with outage, fire, incident, or customer-claims investigations, and participate in emergency response when requested.

The position requires computer use, report running, and updating data in PG&E’s VMDSRs, as well as use of Microsoft Office and job-specific software. Field conditions can include rugged or uneven terrain, inclement weather, temperature and humidity extremes, noise, dust, gas, fumes, and chemicals, as well as prolonged periods of sitting while driving or attending meetings and training. The SVMI uses vehicles and forestry and safety equipment.

The position is full-time, regular, non-exempt, and covered by a bargaining agreement. The listed base hourly rate is $52.87. The posting also describes an in-lieu-of-benefits payment of $13.22 per eligible hour and a $50 daily subsistence payment for union members for each day worked in excess of four hours; other compensation and benefits may vary by eligibility and location.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Maintain a Class C driver’s license.
• Meet one of the following experience pathways: five years as a tree-crew climber or foreman, including at least two years of line-clearance certification; five years as a Vegetation Management Inspector and Certified Arborist; five years as a Registered Professional Forester; five years as a Utility Inspector or higher classification, including at least one year of vegetation-management experience; or four years of honorable military service plus at least one additional year of vegetation-management inspection experience and PG&E representative approval.
• All hires are subject to approval by a PG&E representative.
• Ability to identify local trees and understand growth rates.
• Strong communication, organization, and customer-service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to learn and use company- or job-specific software.
• Ability to work with data-collection devices and GIS software is identified as desired in the posting.
• Ability to work independently, read and follow maps, and work in varied or rugged terrain and inclement weather.
• Ability to work flexible schedules and be available nights and weekends as needed.
• Demonstrated accountability, accuracy, adaptability, dependability, interpersonal skills, job knowledge, positive attitude, and ability to produce work in a timely and professional manner.
• Complete OSHA 30-hour construction safety overview within six months of start date.
• Complete CTSP or Certified Arborist (CA) certification from the International Society of Arboriculture, with Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) certificate, within six months of test eligibility.
• Complete 911 Standby training, working-knowledge QA/QC training, and computer training within one month of start date.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with data-collection devices and GIS software.

Responsibilities

• Resolve field obstacles so work can be completed safely, cost-effectively, efficiently, and on time; manage field time and expenses to minimize rework and improve quality.
• Manage day-to-day work activities as needed, keeping personnel focused on assigned work and verifying scope, equipment use, and documentation.
• Serve as the vegetation-management contact for new business and reconstruction work requested by Energy Delivery.
• Approve field scheduling and scope changes when authorized by a PG&E representative.
• Promote safety among the public, contractors, and employees; follow applicable safety rules and document safety observations and good catches.
• Audit work performed by Vegetation Management Inspectors for compliance with applicable standards and may perform quality-check audits focused on field compliance and data integrity.
• Assist with training and onboarding of Vegetation Management Inspectors and support PG&E Work Verification efforts as needed.
• Maintain working relationships with public agencies, including Caltrans, CalFire, USFS, and BLM, as directed by a PG&E representative.
• Maintain working relationships with PG&E tree contractors and assist with escalated work, including customer complaints.
• Patrol distribution and transmission circuits and prescribe tree-clearance work intended to maintain required compliance for at least one calendar year.
• Determine when trees should next be trimmed and whether trimming or removal is needed; assess trees that could strike PG&E facilities for likelihood of failure and hazards.
• Identify and prescribe tree-pruning and tree or brush removal work needed to complete electric compliance tags and meet regulatory requirements and PG&E standards and procedures.
• Ensure work complies with PG&E vegetation-management standards and procedures, project specifications, applicable permits, safety requirements, and governing federal, state, and local requirements.
• Use computers to run reports and update PG&E VMDSRs; use software such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Assist with outage investigations, fire and incident investigations, and customer-claims investigations when requested.
• Assist at the local Divisional Operational Emergency Center as a Vegetation Resource Coordinator when requested.
• Perform emergency-response duties when requested by a PG&E representative and in accordance with applicable safety requirements, laws, regulations, and labor agreements.
• Ensure line sections are patrolled according to the annual plan and patrol standards, and that patrols are correctly documented under PG&E mapping procedures.
• Identify newly discovered idle and private lines and notify the PG&E representative.
• Perform other work as directed by the PG&E representative or PG&E standards and procedures.
• Serve as liaison between the client’s representative and the Operations Manager to support colleagues and monitor work-group progress.
• Successfully complete required training, including OSHA 30-hour construction safety overview, CTSP or Certified Arborist with TRAQ qualification, 911 Standby, QA/QC, and computer training.

Benefits

• In-lieu-of-benefits payment of $13.22 per eligible hour worked.
• $50 daily subsistence payment for union members for each day worked in excess of four hours.
• Medical, dental, or vision insurance and other region-specific benefits may be available, subject to eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED