Utility Forester

Applicants are required to submit a combined cover letter and resume in one document. Your cover letter must summarize your interest, education and experience relative to this position. Also specifically address any current/previous utility experience. Incomplete materials will not be considered.

To expedite the application process, combine your cover letter and resume into one PDF document before applying and upload electronically when requested in the online application process.

This position is OPEN UNTIL FILLED and applicants are encouraged to apply immediately.  The first review date for application materials is scheduled for April 29th.

Interested parties are also invited to contact Human Resources at [email protected] to discuss the position.

The starting salary range for this position is $76,960 - $96,200 (based on qualifications).  With tenure and strong performance in this role an employee may earn up to a maximum of $115,440, annualized.

Introductory Period: New employees holding regular positions must complete an introductory period of twelve months.

Overview
This position inspects and inventories vegetation along District power line corridors, identifying hazardous vegetation and determining the best method to correct and address these hazards. This position regularly talks with customer owners, city/county & state agencies about their trees near power lines and tree pruning techniques or tree removal requirements needed for safety and service reliability. This position inspects and audits contractor tree work, coordinates jobs between landowners and contract tree crews, and works with other District field personnel when needed.

Responsibilities

• Hazardous Vegetation Inventory: Evaluate, determine and collect inventory of hazardous vegetation along District power line corridors. Works independently, inspecting trees along power lines throughout the District service area.
• Contractor Coordination & Inspection: Coordinates, plans and conducts operations of customer tree work between tree contractors and property owners. Organizes confidential customer contact information and tree work assignments. Audits contractor completed work to ensure compliance with the District's contract specifications prior to invoicing.
• Customer Service: Professionally represents the District responding to customer power line/tree inquiries and complaints. Follows up with customers in a timely manner providing industry standard expertise to address and resolve their questions, issues and concerns. Must have effective oral and written communications skills.
• Represent the District's Forestry Program at different public events, conferences and educational events. May involve some overnight travel.

Education
Equivalent experience (year for year) may substitute for required education.

• Associate Degree in forestry, urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture or a related field or equivalent from two-year college or technical school required.

Experience

• 3+ years utility vegetation management experience required.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid Driver's License at hire and WA Driver's License within 30 days of hire required.
• Certified Arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) upon hire is preferred.
• Certified Arborist from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) within 1 year required.
• Utility specialist certificate from International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) within 1½ years required.

Skills and Abilities

• Requires knowledge of accepted industry practices for trimming trees near electric power lines; directional tree pruning techniques as generally described in ANSI A300
• Knowledge and understanding of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.269 Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution line clearance tree trimming MAD zone.
• Knowledge of tree physiology, biology and species identification
• Knowledge of theory and operation of electric utility transmission and distribution systems and associated devices; safety requirements for working around energized electric facilities
• Knowledge of the equipment, tools and methods used in trimming trees near power lines.
• Requires good public relations, negotiation and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Ability to recognize danger trees
• Ability to recognize electrical hazards
• Ability to work independently in a self-motivated/self-directed manner, professionally represent Chelan PUD with the public, read and understand electrical distribution & transmission maps
• Ability to read maps.
• The incumbent must possess or obtain within one year of employment the following certifications: First Aid, CPR and Washington State traffic flagging control card.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual is required to have knowledge of PeopleSoft Time Entry/HRIS; Microsoft Outlook; Microsoft Excel and PC Hardware. Intermediate knowledge is required in Microsoft Word; General Office Equipment; Daily use of a four wheel drive vehicle; office/field computers; occasional use of all-terrain vehicles; GIS; District communication radios; cellular/office phones; Data collection software using mobile technology; and Common forestry tools such as diameter tapes and tree paint will also be used. This position requires the use of personnel equipment (PPE).
• Must be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• This position communicates with the public more than 20% of the time. Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish is preferred.

Chelan PUD is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled). We value diversity at all levels of the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected classifications as defined by law.