Transmission Forester Assoc- Sr

American Electric Power•Pharr, TX

About The Position

The Transmission Forester Sr supports utility transmission right-of-way vegetation management. The role assesses vegetation conditions through ground and aerial patrols, recommends and coordinates vegetation management work, and helps prevent vegetation-related service interruptions while maintaining practical access to facilities for repair and inspection. The Senior Forester handles planning, contractor oversight, landowner and agency coordination, cost estimation, records, and compliance with FAC-003 requirements. The role also serves as a subject-matter expert for vegetation clearing during project scoping and construction, mentors Associate Foresters, and supports storm response coordination.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and four years of experience as a contract utility forester; or an associate’s degree in one of those fields and six years of experience in the utility vegetation management industry; or a high school diploma and eight years as a contract forester or in other related utility-industry positions.
Knowledge of and safe use of pesticides.
Certified Pesticide Applicator’s license for each state within the forester’s area of responsibility.
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certification.
ISA Utility Specialist certification.
Completion of an “in the wires zone” aerial patrol course.
Professionalism and diplomacy when presenting the company’s vegetation control projects to the public.
Competency in GIS systems, Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and other analytical tools.
Ability to travel extensively to inspect and plan the company’s right-of-way maintenance program.
Ability to apply AEP Accounting Policies and Guidelines related to expense versus capitalization for labor, services, and materials.

Nice To Haves

Arborist certification.
Tree Risk Assessment Qualification.
Courses in horticulture and/or vegetation management.

Responsibilities

Ground patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetation, recommend utility vegetation operations, maintain work records, and arrange vegetation management and facility access with landowners.
Conduct aerial patrols on FAC-003 compliance lines, assess vegetation-to-conductor distances, record conditions in forestry computer systems, and coordinate responses to imminent threats.
Investigate and resolve landowner concerns and document and resolve constraints to the FAC-003 vegetation management plan.
Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of facilities.
Serve as the subject-matter expert for vegetation clearing during project scoping, construction, and in-servicing with Project Management.
Determine future vegetation management needs and recommend short- and long-term work plans and best management practices.
Coordinate right-of-way vegetation work plans with government agencies, utilities, landowners, and other parties.
Inspect vegetation management and work-planning contractors for safety and contract compliance, and recommend 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 stay informed about 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 in appropriate 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 staff in coordinating storm response for the operational area.
Apply AEP accounting policies and guidelines for expense-versus-capitalization treatment of labor, services, and materials.