Utility Forester Associate - Utility Forester

American Electric Power•South Bend, IN

22h•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves assigning and recommending industry-accepted management practices for the corrective control of non-compatible vegetation in utility rights-of-way to vegetation control contractors. The role also includes inspecting ongoing and completed assignments to ensure contract compliance, reduce preventable vegetation interruptions of service, and provide practical access to facilities for repair and inspection. Key responsibilities include patrolling lines and facilities to assess vegetative conditions, recommending utility vegetation operations, maintaining work records, and coordinating with landowners for vegetation management and facility access. The Utility Forester will investigate and resolve landowner issues, estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for new and existing facilities, and determine future vegetation management needs to recommend short and long-term work plans. Additionally, the role requires contacting governmental agencies, other utilities, and landowners to arrange and coordinate right-of-way vegetation management work plans, inspecting contractor compliance, and recommending work plans, priorities, schedules, and contractor requirements. The individual will apply current contract provisions, maintain records and prepare reports on costs, production, and work quality, operate forestry computer programs and records systems, and guide and train others in proper work practices and utility vegetation management procedures.

Requirements

For Utility Forester Associate (SG 04): Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and two (2) years of experience as a contract utility forester OR associate’s degree in one of the same fields and four (4) years’ experience in utility vegetation management industry OR High school diploma and six (6) years as a contract forester or other related positions in the utility industry.
For Utility Forester (SG 05): Bachelor Degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and three (3) years of experience in utility vegetation management industry OR Associate's degree in one of the same fields and five (5) years' experience in utility vegetation management industry OR High school diploma and seven (7) years as a contract forester or other related positions in the utility industry.
Knowledge and safe use of pesticides.
Must act as a professional, employing a great deal of diplomacy to "sell" the Company's necessary right-of-way maintenance 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.
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.
Valid State Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years of experience as a contract utility forester (for Associate, if Bachelor's degree is met)
Certified Pesticide Applicator's license
Arborist certification
Courses in horticulture and/or vegetation management

Responsibilities

After training, patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetative conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations, maintain records of work and make the necessary arrangements with landowners for vegetation management and access to facilities.
Investigate and resolve landowner issues and concerns.
With assistance, estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of new and existing facilities.
With assistance, 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 contract compliance, recommending acceptance or corrective action.
With assistance, recommend work plans, priorities, schedules and contractor requirements in accordance with the vegetation management program.
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.