Vegetation Management Inspector - (1 Year) | Chico, CA

ACRT • Chico, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

ACRT Pacific is hiring an entry-level Vegetation Management Inspector for a full-time, one-year role based near Chico or Oroville, California. The position involves outdoor fieldwork inspecting vegetation along utility lines and coordinating tree-clearance work. The role is safety-sensitive, and candidates must hold TRAQ certification and reside within 50 miles of Chico or Oroville.

The inspector patrols distribution or transmission circuits, identifies trees and brush that may threaten utility facilities, prescribes pruning or removal work, documents inspection results, and ensures prescribed clearances meet applicable standards. The role includes communicating with property owners and agencies, coordinating with tree crews and stakeholders, supporting project oversight, and conducting work-verification inspections and outage investigations. Inspectors may also assist with customer cases, emergency response, permits, and other vegetation-management assignments.

The position requires fieldwork in rugged terrain and varying weather, regular driving, and use of handheld electronic devices, databases, maps, and forestry and safety equipment. The inspector must follow relevant regulations, permits, safety requirements, and ACRT’s guiding principles. Compensation is listed as $45.42 per hour, with an additional $11.36 per eligible hour in lieu of benefits and a $50 daily subsistence payment for qualifying workdays. Other region-specific compensation or benefits may apply.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Maintain a Class C driver’s license.
• One year of experience as a Vegetation Management Inspector or equivalent experience on a utility contract.
• Ability to identify local trees and understand growth rates.
• Ability to learn and use company- or job-specific software systems.
• Ability to work in rugged terrain and inclement weather.
• Ability to read and follow maps.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have TRAQ certification.
• Must reside within 50 miles of Chico or Oroville, California.

Nice To Haves

• ISA Certified Arborist certification.
• Two-year or four-year college degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Patrol distribution or transmission circuits according to the annual vegetation-management plan and applicable standards.
• Identify hazardous trees and vegetation, assess failure likelihood and hazards, and prescribe pruning or removal work along utility rights-of-way.
• Determine when the next trim is required and whether trimming or removal is necessary, with prescribed clearances intended to maintain compliance for at least one calendar year.
• Document inspections, map circuits using PG&E continuity lists, and enter and process information in VMDSR or other assigned databases using handheld or iOS-compatible devices.
• Notify property owners and agencies about planned tree work and obtain necessary authorizations or permits.
• Coordinate and communicate with tree-clearance contractors, customers, public agencies, communities, first responders, PG&E personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Plan, direct, and coordinate assigned tree-clearance crew activities and discuss or negotiate crew access issues.
• Perform work-verification inspections to confirm applicable inspection requirements and tree-work completion and quality.
• Manage assigned vegetation-management tags, notifications, and customer cases, including field checks, work prescriptions, customer notifications, and case closeout.
• Conduct or support investigations and documentation of tree-related outages and attend outage meetings as requested.
• Support emergency response and operations, including dispatching tree crews and field-checking sites when directed.
• Provide oversight and coordination for vegetation projects, including tree assessment, trimming, and other field operations.
• Participate in contractor safety and tailboard meetings and serve as a customer-relations representative on behalf of PG&E.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and permits, including traffic-control, encroachment, railroad, Caltrans, and environmental requirements.
• Complete assigned tasks independently, maintain direct contact with PG&E division personnel, public agencies, and customers as directed, and perform other duties as required.

Benefits

• $11.36 per eligible hour paid in lieu of benefits.
• $50 daily subsistence payment for each day worked in excess of four hours.
• Medical, dental, or vision insurance, per diems, or other region-specific benefits may be available as eligible.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED