Contract Forester/Utility Forester Metro S

Key Responsibilities

• Pre-Patrol Preparation
• Organize records, maps, and paperwork for patrol circuits.
• Maintain accurate documentation.
• Review work sites for endangered species, sensitive habitats, and incompatible vegetation.
• Field Patrol Duties
• Safely patrol energy corridors on foot, identifying vegetation for pruning, removal, or protection per Client standards.
• Classify prescribed work in accordance with field environment and tree condition, including the use of herbicide.
• Conduct Tree Risk Assessments and analyze growth rates.
• Mark vegetation and prescribe clearance actions in line with Client directives and based on ISA pruning techniques and ANSI line clearance standards & principles.
• Landowner & Stakeholder Engagement
• Use digital tools and maps to identify property boundaries and landowner rights.
• Communicate work plans to property owners, agencies, and organizations.
• Obtain permissions for vegetation work from private/public landowners and agencies.
• Provide professional customer service and foster positive community relations.
• Vegetation Management & Compliance
• Recommend sustainable vegetation management strategies using IVM principles.
• Audit contractor work for compliance with Client specifications.
• Investigate tree-related outages and document findings.
• Address customer service and internal compliance issues.
• Coordination & Safety
• Coordinate non-routine work with stakeholders and contractors.
• Report safety concerns, incidents, and hazards immediately.
• Follow all safety protocols, including AMS Code of Safe Practices and wildfire prevention plans.
• Operate vehicles safely and travel to assigned work areas.
• Additional Responsibilities
• Participate in storm and emergency response as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or related discipline or equivalent work experience (education may be required dependent on client contract).
• Experience in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture or tree-related green industry preferred.
• Knowledge or practical experience in tree identification.
• Knowledge of common computer applications and ability to learn new programs.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Practical experience in electric utility level vegetation management work in the field.
• Previous experience as a crew foreman, general foreman or other experienced vegetation management professional is a desired experience level.
• Experience with GIS software/technology, Microsoft Suite, and an iPhone.
• Ability to work alone, outdoors in various weather conditions and terrain.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving and multi-tasking abilities.
• Attention to detail.

Qualifications (Bonus)

• Certified ISA Arborist is a plus.
• Bi-Lingual (Spanish) is a plus.
• Utility line clearance or tree trimming experience.

Working Environment

• Primarily in an outdoor field environment.
• Foot patrol of energy corridors in the vicinity of power lines and/or pipelines.
• Remote locations as well as urban environments.
• Physical demands and travel from site to site, including walking/hiking on various surfaces.
• Exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, and all types of weather extremes.
• Exposure to hazardous traffic conditions, domestic and wild animals, insects, and poisonous plants.
• Other working conditions may include: in a vehicle or limited time in an indoor office.

Physical Demands

• Sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment.
• Walk up to 10 miles per day.
• Stand, sit, and operate a motor vehicle for prolonged periods.
• Frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, run, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp and make repetitive hand, arm and shoulder movements.
• Carry, push and/or pull light to heavy amounts of weight.
• Frequently lift up to 10 lbs. and occasionally lift up to 60 lbs.
• Operate assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to verbally communicate to exchange information with the public.
• Ability to see and hear in the normal range with or without correction.
• Operate assigned field equipment, including handheld computer, range finder, fyrake, water backpack, shovel, and traffic cone.