System Arborist - Oahu

Hawaiian Electric•Honolulu, HI

11d•$79,600 - $101,600•Onsite

About The Position

The System Arborist administers, maintains, and monitors Hawaiian Electric’s system-wide vegetation management programs to support safe service reliability, cost containment, and customer satisfaction. Programs include roadside vegetation management, transmission and sub-transmission rights-of-way, and customer service. The position manages and directs outside vegetation management contractors, evaluates program effectiveness, supports customers and internal teams, and contributes to operational planning and emergency response. The role is based in Honolulu, Oahu, and is a professional position in the Vegetation Management Department. It requires regular system-wide field inspections, including travel on foot and in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles and helicopters, as well as responding to vegetation-management-related callouts and emergencies. The selected candidate will be placed within the stated hiring range according to their skills and qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in urban forestry, horticulture, arboriculture, or a related field, normally acquired through advanced college-level courses or equivalent experience.
Current ISA Certified Arborist certification and maintenance of certification.
Working knowledge of vegetation management crew structures, equipment, tools, techniques, and methodologies.
Working knowledge of electric utility transmission and distribution construction and maintenance operations, especially vegetation management.
Basic knowledge of statistical analysis and its application to tree inventory and performance management systems.
Working knowledge of personal computers, mainframe systems, and related software applications such as Microsoft Excel, Access, and Word.
Valid driver’s license issued by the State of Hawaii or another U.S. state, and ability to meet the company’s standards for driving positions.
Working knowledge of LEAN continuous improvement principles and practices.
Working knowledge of SafeStart principles and practices.
Ability to work as an individual contributor and as part of a self-directed work team.
Ability to remain flexible and adapt to rapidly changing priorities in a demanding work environment.
Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with all organizational levels and external customers using tact, courtesy, and discretion.
In-depth analytical and computational skills for technical and statistical computations and monitoring and analyzing forecasts.
Organizational and conceptual skills to assess job demands and recommend appropriate actions.
Leadership skills and ability to work with, influence, motivate, and persuade varied internal and external groups or individuals, including in sensitive, difficult, or confrontational situations.
Willingness and ability to hike distances in difficult, mountainous terrain.
Willingness and ability to be transported by helicopter.
Five to seven years of experience in utility vegetation management functions, including arboriculture.

Nice To Haves

ISA Utility Specialist Certification.
Working knowledge of tree growth regulator and herbicide application methods, environmental fate and mobility, and activity in local plants and environments.
Working knowledge of federal, state, and local statutes and regulations related to vegetation management operations and endangered species.
Working knowledge of comprehensive contractor performance evaluation systems.
Working knowledge of local tree identification, habit, and growth characteristics.
One to two years of active, hands-on experience in tree trimming and care.

Responsibilities

Manage, direct, and monitor outside vegetation management contractors to ensure compliance with vegetation specifications and company objectives.
Administer and monitor roadside, transmission and sub-transmission rights-of-way, and customer service vegetation management programs.
Review programs and recommend procedures and techniques to improve their effectiveness.
Conduct regular system-wide inspections and respond to vegetation-management-related callouts and emergencies.
Perform field audits of contractor work to verify reporting accuracy and work quality, including compliance with applicable regulations and ANSI Z133 and ANSI A300 safe-work practices.
Collect, maintain, and manage data and records to evaluate contract compliance and pre- and post-work inspections.
Review and rectify contract work reports and invoices; ensure contractor follow-up, proper billing, and satisfactory resolution of complaints and unsatisfactory work.
Plan, direct, and evaluate alternative methods for line clearance and vegetation management.
Monitor contractor progress and conduct field inspections to keep programs within budget and schedule, updating strategies and resource requirements as needed.
Provide technical, field, and personal support to internal and external customers, including assistance with maintenance, new facilities, tree growth regulator applications, and landscaping matters.
Provide advance notifications and obtain tree-removal permissions for sensitive and challenging customers.
Develop and deliver informational programs and presentations, including written and oral testimony for legislative matters, about company vegetation management programs.
Participate in local professional associations and events to foster understanding and support of the company’s vegetation management program.
Provide input on forecasted operational needs; research, analyze, and report information to support budgeting and forecasting.
Issue requisitions for materials and contract services supporting vegetation management work.
Work collaboratively with employees, suppliers, and customers to support company strategic objectives.
Participate in assigned company emergency response activities, including preparation for emergency response.