Transmission Forester Assoc- Sr

American Electric Power • Tulsa, SC

1d

About The Position

This posting may be filled at multiple levels: Transmission Forester Associate (SG5), Transmission Forester (SG6), or Transmission Forester Sr (SG7). The role assigns and recommends industry-accepted practices to control incompatible vegetation in utility rights of way. It inspects ongoing and completed work for contract compliance, helps prevent vegetation-related service interruptions, and supports access to facilities for repair and inspection. The role also ensures compliance with FAC-003, oversees vegetation clearing for capital construction, and conducts aerial patrols as required for compliance or reliability.

After training, the forester patrols lines and facilities on the ground and from the air, assesses vegetation conditions and conductor clearances, records findings, recommends vegetation operations, and coordinates responses to imminent threats. The role works with landowners and other stakeholders, resolves concerns, documents constrained FAC-003 work areas, and supports estimating costs and planning short- and long-term vegetation management work. It also inspects contractors for safety and contract compliance, maintains work and cost records, uses forestry computer systems, guides and trains others, and helps schedule aerial herbicide and aerial saw work.

The position requires extensive travel to inspect and plan the company's right-of-way maintenance program. Physical demands are classified as medium work, including exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 10 to 25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in forestry, urban forestry, natural resource management, arboriculture, or a related field and two years of experience as a contract utility forester; alternatively, an associate's degree in one of those fields and four years of experience in the utility vegetation management industry; or a high school diploma and six years as a contract forester or in other related utility-industry positions.
• Knowledge of and safe use of pesticides.
• ISA certification, or ability to obtain it within two years of employment.
• Completion of an “in the wires zone” aerial patrol course within one year of employment.
• Competency in GIS systems and Microsoft Office applications, including Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, as well as other analytical tools.
• Ability to travel extensively to inspect and plan right-of-way maintenance.
• Ability to act professionally and use diplomacy when communicating the need for vegetation control projects to the public.

Nice To Haves

• Arborist certification.
• Certified Pesticide Applicator's license for each state in the forester's area of responsibility.
• Courses in horticulture and/or vegetation management.

Responsibilities

• Patrol lines and facilities on the ground to assess vegetation conditions, recommend 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 issues and concerns, and document and resolve areas where the FAC-003 vegetation management plan is constrained.
• Assist in estimating vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of new and existing facilities.
• Assist in determining future vegetation management requirements and recommending short- and long-term work plans and best management practices.
• Coordinate right-of-way vegetation management work plans with governmental agencies, other utilities, landowners, and other parties.
• Inspect vegetation management and work-planning contractors for safety and contract compliance, and recommend acceptance or corrective action.
• Assist in recommending 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 proper work practices and utility vegetation management procedures.
• Assist in identifying and scheduling aerial herbicide and aerial saw vegetation management.
• Ensure compliance with FAC-003 and actively oversee vegetation clearing for capital construction.
• Use diplomacy to explain and gain public acceptance for necessary vegetation control projects.

Benefits

• AEP states that it offers a comprehensive benefits package intended to support and enhance employees' overall well-being; specific benefits are not listed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level