Associate Utility Forester

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Associate Utility Forester

Are you fascinated by the beauty of nature and committed to preserving it while ensuring a reliable power supply for communities? Do you possess a deep understanding of trees, their growth patterns, and their potential interactions with power infrastructure? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you as a Utility Forester!

At Portland General Electric, we believe in the harmonious coexistence of power infrastructure and the natural environment. We are a leading utility company dedicated to providing sustainable and reliable energy solutions to our customers while safeguarding the beauty and health of the trees that surround us. Our mission is to empower communities and businesses while nurturing the very essence of nature that sustains us.

Key Job Information

Job Title/Code:       Associate Forester/6277

Grade/Exemption: Grade A06/EX

Career Level: P2

Key Responsibilities:

Scoping:

Performs safety audits. Conducts scoping. Analyzes risks and prioritizes jobs according to urgency and location.

Scheduling:

Under direction, plans and organizes vegetation clearance activities. Schedules work assignments and contract crews based on manager priorities.

Vendor Management:

Reviews contract crew performance against PGE standards and specifications. Monitors crew productivity to ensure PGE is receiving benefits for vegetation clearance expenditures relative to statement of work. Adapts tree pruning practices as needed to optimize resource use.

Consultation:

Responds to routine and nonroutine questions from region engineering. Represents PGE’s Forestry department to contractors impacted by/impacting company operations in accordance with established guidelines. Schedules meetings to explain and resolve problems. Works with PGE transmission forester to coordinate herbicide applications in assigned area.

Coordination:

Coordinates vegetation clearance with line restoration crews during emergency periods. Interfaces with regional line operations to determine maintenance and construction vegetation clearance needs. Coordinates vegetation clearance and selective herbicide applications with city, county and state agencies.

Compliance:

Ensures work meets all applicable standards, regulations and agreements. Reviews new standards, regulations and agreements and identifies potential impacts.
Education/Experience/Certifications:

Education:

Requires a bachelor’s degree in earth science, horticulture, geology, forestry, natural resources or similar field or equivalent experience.

Experience:

Typically two or more years in tree trimming, arborist work, nursery work or related field including vendor management and project management.

Certifications, Licenses and Training:

ISA Arborist Certification and ISA Utility Specialist credential preferred and required within six months of obtaining position
 

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

Functional Competencies:

• Intermediate knowledge of forestry processes and procedures.
• Thorough knowledge of forestry best practices, including tree trimming and herbicide/pesticide application
• Thorough knowledge of regulations impacting vegetation management
• Working knowledge of vendor management principles Intermediate skills in critical thinking, including analysis and problem solving
• Working skills in using database and documentation tools

General Competencies:

• Working decision-making skills
• Working skills in critical thinking, including analysis, problem solving and prioritization