Utility Arborist

Southern Company•Jonesboro, GA

About The Position

The position supports the integrated vegetation management activities at substations, fee simple, and generation facilities across the GPC service area. This job does not require an office location but frequent in-state day and overnight travel is necessary. The normal expected work week consists of 4, 10-hour days, Monday-Thursday. Storm response and business needs may require work outside regular hours and days. Partial relocation assistance may be available for this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture, horticulture, forestry, or related field preferred.
Must possess, or obtain within industry guidelines, ISA Certified Arborist certification.
Must possess, or obtain within industry guidelines, appropriate herbicide application license.
Knowledge of distribution and transmission utility electrical systems desired.
Familiarity with ANSI Z-133 and A-300 standards desired.
Knowledge of FAC-003-5 Transmission Vegetation Management Standard Utility integrated vegetation management experience desired.
Contractor management experience desired.
Knowledgeable about the growth patterns and typical mature heights of ornamental and landscape plants.
Demonstrate commitment to personal safety and the safety of your team.
Must be able to meet schedules and critical deadlines.
Ability to learn basic business skills such as budgeting and finance.
Able to value and interact with people with different perspectives and backgrounds.
Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are highly desired.
Must be self-motivated and demonstrate ability to work without direct supervision.
Ability to work with commonly used applications including Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to communicate in English and Spanish is a plus.
Must be able to identify the species of landscape plants and local vegetation including their growth characteristics.
Early start and extended work hours will be routine.
Ability to perform emergency call-out response and storm restoration support is required.
Safety focused.
Demonstrate Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance daily.
Possesses a questioning attitude.
Function independently while serving the needs of your team.
Must have at least one year of verifiable driving experience (Must hold a valid driver’s license for the class vehicle to be operated. Driving permits are not typically considered a valid driver’s license).
Must have no revocation of driving privileges within the 36 months prior to application, no convictions of major traffic violations (DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, etc.) within the 12 months prior to application, or any pending charges for a major traffic violation at the time of application.

Nice To Haves

ISA Utility Specialist desired.
Registered Landscape Architect credential a plus.
Experience with mobile, GIS, and GPS applications is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement an integrated vegetation management (IVM) plan for over 2,000 substations, fee simple, and generation sites across the assigned territory.
Perform on-going quality control inspections of completed work as well as work in progress to ensure compliance with contract specifications.
Manage contractor resource levels and the annual IVM budget to complete the scheduled and funded work plan.
Manage and coordinate the daily work-plans of multiple contractor resources to ensure work practices are performed safely, productively, and within schedule.
Establish and maintain relationships with various federal, state, municipal, and local government agencies and departments related to vegetation management.
Represent Georgia Power to various organizations such as local tree boards, neighborhood associations, professional organizations, and industry committees.
Effectively communicate vegetation maintenance objectives and practices to both internal and external customers.
Act as the primary liaison for local property code violation matters and take appropriate measures to address and resolve claims.
Comply with FAC-003-5 Transmission Vegetation Management other regulatory standards.
Serve as the subject matter expert to design and review landscape plans.
Coordinate with corporate security with trespassing and illegal dumping issues.
Work outside normal business hours in support of emergency restoration efforts is expected.