Consulting Forester

ACRT, Inc. Full time Regular About The Team

At ACRT, we put safety first. Beyond that, our culture has always been, and always will be, about one thing: people. It is about our employees, our customers, and the communities our customers serve. We empower the best people to help sustain our world. We are the only independent national vegetation management consulting firm – giving us the freedom to put our clients first.

We’re always looking for driven individuals with good customer service skills who love the outdoors and appreciate the support and independence we provide. We offer qualified training opportunities in areas where they are needed to help our customers reach their fullest potential, preparing them for what their work throws at them.

The Consulting Staff Forester reports to the Operations Manager at ACRT Inc. The position coordinates vegetation management activities across the company’s transmission system, distribution system, substations, plants and other properties. It interacts with contractors, company internal groups, customers, and property owners. The role schedules work and assigns resources as company needs dictate within an assigned area. The role ensures compliance with federal, state, and municipal regulations, and provides job estimates for vegetation management work on capital projects.

It also monitors work production, quality, and expenditures associated with vegetation management.

• Promote a safety culture by performing duties consistent with IIF.
• Coordinate, plan and schedule work for vegetation, pole treating and inspection work.
• Provide cost estimates for Vegetation Management work.
• Perform job site inspections to confirm job site readiness and coordinate necessary resources to optimize manpower and equipment utilization.
• Monitor and assess progress for contractors, as needed.
• Ensure corrective actions are taken as necessary to meet contract and standard performance.
• Coordinate vegetation activities with Power Plants, dispatch, local management, and other entities as required.
• Discuss and negotiate line‑clearance issues with customers, vendors, local government entities, and special interest groups.
• Act as primary contact for contract crews on company property responsible for authorizing and communicating changes in work scope.
• Communicate completion of work to necessary parties.
• Coordinate and monitor emergency work as required.
• Investigate claims and resolve complaints by negotiating positive solutions.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with all departments of the Company.
• Provide expert utility arborist knowledge as requested.
• Review and approve contractor invoices to ensure proper billing and accounting.
• Perform audits on contractor work to ensure all work is complete, accurate, and meets OG&E specifications.
• Accurately maintain records of completed circuit clearing and other vegetation management work and keep records up to date for easy access and use.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Education:
  
  High School Diploma or GED equivalent, or Bachelor's Degree in any discipline.
• Experience:
  
  If you have a High School Diploma or GED equivalent, you must have 5 years of field experience with utility construction, maintenance, or service restoration (electric, water, phone, or gas) and 3 years of arboriculture experience. If you have a Bachelor's Degree, you must have 3 years of arboriculture work experience. Must be 21 years of age or older, have a valid driver’s license, and a clean driving record.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s Degree in a life science field such as horticulture, forestry, biology, botany, or landscape architecture.
• Experience:
  
  2 years working in a field associated with primary duties such as lineman, sales professional, GIS professional, arborist, or land management.

• Working knowledge of IVM (Integrated Vegetation Management) and the application of IVM techniques.
• Strong knowledge of arboriculture, horticulture, or vegetation management.
• Ability to link the impact of arboriculture, horticulture, or vegetation management to the safe and efficient operation of an electric utility.
• Strong computer skills,…