Utility Forester VM Specialist

Clear Path Utility Solutions, LLC•Savannah, GA

21d

About The Position

Clear Path Utility Solutions is hiring a Utility Forester to inspect, evaluate, and manage vegetation within utility transmission and distribution rights-of-way. The role supports system reliability, regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, and public safety through vegetation assessments, hazard-tree evaluations, contractor oversight, stakeholder engagement, landowner relations, and field-data collection. Work follows utility, industry, and safety standards and includes supporting routine operations, construction management, and emergency response. The position involves extensive outdoor fieldwork across varied weather conditions and terrain. The Utility Forester uses GIS and field-data systems, works independently and collaboratively, and maintains productive relationships with clients, contractors, landowners, and the public. The position is open in Georgia locations including Atlanta, Athens, Albany, Jonesboro, Waycross, Tucker, Tifton, Savannah, Rome, Marietta, Macon, and Valdosta. Candidates need an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a related field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience, as well as at least two years of relevant experience. An ISA Certified Arborist credential is required or must be obtained within one year of employment. The role may require travel, overtime, and emergency assignments, including storm restoration. The salary range is not specified in the posting. Clear Path Utility Solutions is based in Walnut Creek, California, has offices nationwide, and operates as a subsidiary of Celerity. The company describes its services as construction management, vegetation management, emergency and non-emergency management, quality support, and pre-inspections for utility companies.

Requirements

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Arboriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Science, Horticulture, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
At least 2 years of experience in utility vegetation management, utility line clearance, forestry, arboriculture, or related vegetation-management operations.
Strong forestry skills and tree and plant species identification skills, including knowledge of invasive species, tree growth rates, and vegetation-management practices.
Working knowledge of utility line-clearance concepts, ISA pruning standards, ANSI standards, and Integrated Vegetation Management principles.
Ability to perform hazard-tree evaluations and develop vegetation-management recommendations.
Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively with landowners, contractors, clients, regulatory agencies, and internal stakeholders, independently and as part of a team.
Strong customer-service orientation and attention to detail.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and mobile field technology.
Experience using GIS, GPS, mapping software, data-collection applications, and utility-related databases.
Ability to accurately read, interpret, and navigate maps and property boundaries.
Comfort using tablets, smartphones, range finders, and other field-technology tools.
Ability to use pole pruners and pump sprayers.
Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
ISA Certified Arborist certification required, or ability to obtain it within one year of employment.
Ability to hike long distances and work in remote locations; stand, walk, and work on uneven terrain for extended periods.
Ability to safely carry and use field equipment, tools, and materials.
Willingness and ability to travel, work overtime, and participate in emergency response and storm restoration activities.
Position is open to individuals currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; the company cannot sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting traditional forestry practices, tree-risk assessments, vegetation inspections, or right-of-way management activities.
Extensive industry experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
ISA Utility Specialist certification.
Additional utility vegetation-management certifications.
Forestry degree.
ISA Certified Arborist and/or ISA Utility Specialist certification.
Utility transmission or distribution vegetation-management experience.
Utility line-clearance or tree-trimming experience.
Bilingual ability in English and Spanish.
Experience with contractor auditing, outage investigations, and right-of-way management programs.
Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and project-coordination experience.

Responsibilities

Conduct vegetation and forestry inspections, tree inventories, and hazard-tree assessments along utility transmission and distribution corridors.
Identify, classify, mark, and prescribe vegetation for pruning, removal, treatment, or protection in accordance with client specifications, ISA pruning practices, ANSI line-clearance standards, and Integrated Vegetation Management principles.
Evaluate tree health, structure, defects, growth rates, and species characteristics to develop vegetation-management recommendations.
Assess environmentally sensitive areas, endangered-species habitats, invasive-species concerns, and incompatible vegetation within utility rights-of-way.
Investigate vegetation-related outages and document findings and corrective actions.
Collect and maintain field data, including species identification, tree measurements, conductor clearances, growth projections, and work prescriptions.
Prepare patrol routes, maps, records, and work packages for daily field activities.
Use GIS, GPS, mobile applications, and database systems to collect, manage, validate, and report field data.
Verify reports, summaries, charts, and supporting documentation; submit timely inspection reports, audit findings, outage investigations, and compliance documentation.
Maintain records in accordance with client, regulatory, and company requirements.
Plan and coordinate vegetation-management work with contractors and operational personnel.
Audit contractor performance for compliance with client specifications, safety requirements, environmental standards, and work-quality expectations.
Coordinate non-routine vegetation work with utility personnel, contractors, landowners, and regulatory agencies.
Monitor project progress, identify issues, and recommend corrective actions.
Mentor, train, and provide technical guidance to junior staff as needed.
Communicate with private landowners, public agencies, municipalities, and other stakeholders about vegetation-management activities.
Obtain permissions, easements, and access authorization; use mapping systems and land records to identify property boundaries and ownership.
Respond professionally to customer concerns, contractor inquiries, and public questions, and promote positive community relations.
Promote company, client, and industry safety standards; identify and report unsafe conditions, incidents, hazards, and near misses.
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, vegetation-management standards, and utility program specifications, and safeguard employees, contractors, customers, and the public from operational hazards.
Operate company vehicles and equipment safely and maintain assigned equipment in proper working condition.
Follow wildfire-prevention plans, safe-work procedures, and applicable safety protocols.
Participate in storm restoration, emergency response, and natural-disaster recovery as required; be available for extended hours, travel, and emergency assignments when business needs dictate.
Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.