Transmission Forester Assoc- Sr

American Electric Power•Heath, OH

9d•$54,063 - $93,189•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves assigning and recommending industry-accepted management practices to control non-compatible vegetation in utility rights of way. The position requires inspecting ongoing and completed assignments to ensure contract compliance, reduce preventable vegetation interruptions of service, and provide access to facilities for repair and inspection. The role encompasses ground and aerial patrols, landowner issue resolution, cost estimation, work plan development, contractor inspection, and record maintenance. Additionally, it involves guiding and training others, identifying aerial herbicide and saw management needs, mentoring associates, and supporting storm response coordination.

Requirements

Knowledge and safe use of pesticides required.
Possession of Certified Pesticide Applicator's license required for each state within the forester’s area of responsibility.
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification required.
ISA Utility Specialist required.
Completion of an “in the wires zone” aerial patrol course required.
Must act as a professional, employing a great deal of diplomacy to "sell" the Company's necessary vegetation control projects to the public.
Competency in GIS systems and Microsoft Office components such as: Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word in addition to other analytical tools is required.
Extensive travel is required to inspect and plan for the Company's right-of-way maintenance program.
Apply AEP Accounting Policies & Guidelines related to expense vs. capitalization for labor, services, and material in a proficient manner.
Bachelor's degree in forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and four (4) years of experience as a contract utility forester desired, OR associate’s degree in one of the same fields and six (6) years’ experience in utility vegetation management industry, OR High school diploma and eight (8) years as a contract forester or other related positions in the utility industry.

Nice To Haves

Arborist certification is desirable.
Tree Risk Assessment Qualification preferred.
Courses in horticulture and/or vegetation management are desirable.

Responsibilities

Ground patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetative conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations.
Maintain records of work and make necessary arrangements with landowners for vegetation management and access to facilities.
Perform aerial patrol on FAC-003 compliance lines to assess vegetation to conductor distances.
Actively capture conditions in forestry computers during aerial patrol.
Coordinate any required response for imminent threats identified during the patrol.
Investigate and resolve landowner issues and concerns.
Document and resolve areas where FAC-003 vegetation management plan is constrained.
Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of new and existing facilities.
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 required.
Inspect vegetation management and work planning contractors for safety and contract compliance, recommending acceptance or corrective action.
Recommend work plans, priorities, schedules, and contractor requirements in accordance with the vegetation management program and FAC-003 compliance.
Apply and keep informed of current contract provisions.
Maintain records and prepare reports on costs, production, and work quality.
Operate the forestry computer programs and records systems.
Guide and train others involved with the vegetation management program in proper work practices and utility vegetation management procedures.
Identify and schedule aerial herbicide and aerial saw vegetation management, including required permitting.
Mentor Transmission Forester Associates as needed.
Support Transmission Forestry leadership and Transmission Forestry Staff positions in coordinating storm response for operational area.