Senior Vegetation Management Inspector | Richmond, CA

ACRT • Richmond, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

ACRT Pacific, LLC is hiring a Senior Vegetation Management Inspector (SVMI), a safety-sensitive role for an experienced forestry professional. The position is based in the Richmond, California area; employees must reside within 50 miles of Richmond. The SVMI performs vegetation inspections, audits, and contractor-performance monitoring; plans and coordinates tree-clearance crew activities; and serves as a liaison among the client, tree crews, customers, and public agencies. Depending on contractor approval and direction from PG&E representatives, the SVMI may support Vegetation Management Inspectors, assist with training and onboarding, approve field scheduling or scope changes, and contribute to investigations and emergency response.

The SVMI patrols distribution and transmission circuits, assesses trees that could strike electric facilities, and prescribes pruning or removal work to meet clearance, regulatory, and PG&E standards. The role involves coordinating field work, promoting safety, documenting inspections and observations, maintaining accurate records and mapping, and using PG&E systems and common office software. Work may take place in rugged or varied terrain and inclement weather, with flexible schedules and availability for nights and weekends as needed.

The position is described as full-time, regular, non-exempt, and union/bargaining. The posted base wage is $52.87 per hour, with an additional $13.22 per eligible hour in lieu of benefits. Union members receive $50 daily subsistence for each day worked in excess of four hours. The role is contingent on the contractual agreement between ACRT Pacific and its customer and may not be permanent; it could conclude in response to an RFP or RFQ. The position reports to the Operations Manager.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Maintain a Class C driver's license.
• Meet at least one of the specified 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.
• Approval by a PG&E representative; all hires are subject to this approval.
• Ability to identify local trees and knowledge of growth rates.
• Strong communication, organization, and customer-service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently, remain organized and production-oriented, and take responsibility for work quality and timeliness.
• Ability to work in varied or rugged terrain and inclement weather, with flexible schedules and availability for nights and weekends as needed.
• Ability to read and follow maps and learn and use company- or job-specific software systems.
• Complete OSHA 30-hour construction safety overview within six months of the start date.
• Complete Certified Tree Safety Professional (CTSP), or Certified Arborist (CA) from the International Society of Arboriculture with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualified (TRAQ) certificate, within six months of test eligibility.
• Complete 911 Standby training within one month of the start date.
• Complete working-knowledge-of-QA/QC training within one month of the start date.
• Complete computer training, such as completing forms, uploading documents, and accessing GIS, within one month of the start date.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Patrol distribution and transmission circuits and prescribe tree-clearance work for PG&E tree contractors.
• Assess trees with the potential to strike PG&E facilities for failure likelihood and hazards; determine whether pruning or removal is needed and when the next trim is required.
• Identify and prescribe tree pruning and tree or brush removal needed to complete electric compliance tags and meet regulatory requirements and PG&E vegetation-management standards.
• Coordinate assigned tree-clearance crews and help ensure work is safe, cost-effective, efficient, timely, productive, and completed with minimal rework.
• Monitor day-to-day field activities, verify that the assigned scope is achieved, ensure appropriate equipment is used, and keep documentation current.
• Promote public, contractor, and employee safety; follow applicable safety rules and standards; and perform and document Safety Observations and Good Catches.
• Perform inspections and audits of contractor work and, when assigned, audit VMIs for standards compliance, field compliance, and data integrity.
• Maintain working relationships with public agencies, PG&E tree contractors, customers, and client representatives; assist with escalated work such as customer complaints.
• With PG&E representative approval, approve field scheduling and scope changes; serve as a vegetation-management contact for new business and reconstruction work when assigned.
• Assist with VMI training and onboarding and support the PG&E Work Verification team in ensuring observations are addressed promptly.
• Maintain patrols in accordance with the annual plan and VM patrol standards, and correctly document patrols under PG&E mapping procedures.
• Use PG&E VMDSRs and other computer systems to run reports and update data; read and follow maps and maintain required documentation.
• Identify newly discovered Idle and Private Lines and notify the PG&E representative.
• Assist with outage, fire, incident, and customer-claims investigations as assigned.
• Provide emergency response duties as requested, complying with applicable safety requirements, laws, regulations, and labor agreements.
• Assist in the local Divisional Operational Emergency Center as a Vegetation Resource Coordinator when requested.
• Perform other work directed by the PG&E representative or required by PG&E standards and procedures.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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