Utility Forester Associate - Utility Forester

American Electric Power • Buchanan, MI

18h

About The Position

Assign and recommend industry accepted management practices to provide corrective control of non-compatible vegetation conditions in utility rights of way to vegetation control contractors; inspect ongoing and completed assignments to assure contract compliance to reduce preventable vegetation interruptions of service and to provide, as much as practical, access to facilities for the purpose of repair and inspection.
What you’ll do: ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 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.

Requirements

• Minimum 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 desired. 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.
• Minimum Requirements 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 required.
• Valid State Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of Certified Pesticide Applicator's license desirable.
• Arborist certification desirable.
• 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.
• Courses in horticulture and/or vegetation management desirable.
• Competency in GIS systems and Microsoft Office components such as Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word in addition to other analytical tools is required.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of new and existing facilities.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive compensation, AEP offers a unique comprehensive benefits package that aims to support and enhance the overall well-being of our employees.

What This Job Offers

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