Staff Forester

ACRT, Inc.

Full time Regular

About The Team  

At ACRT, we put safety first. Beyond that, our culture always has been, and always will be, about one thing: people. It’s about our employees, our customers, and the communities our customers serve. We empower the best people to help sustain our world. We’re 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. 

About the Role

The Consulting Staff Forester reports to the Operations Manager at ACRT Inc. This position will coordinate vegetation management activities across the Company transmission system, distribution system, substations, plants and other properties. This position will interact with contractors, Company internal groups, customers, and property owners. This position will schedule work and assigns resources as company needs dictate within assigned area. This position will ensure compliance with federal, state, and municipal regulations, and provide job estimates for vegetation management work on capital projects. This position will also monitor work production, quality, and expenditures associated with vegetation management.

What You’ll Do

• Promotes a safety culture by performing duties consistent with IIF.

• Coordinates, plans and schedules work for vegetation, pole treating and inspection work.

• Provides cost estimates for Vegetation Management work.

• Performs job site inspections to confirm job site readiness and coordinates necessary resources to optimize manpower and equipment utilization.

• Monitors and assesses progress for contractors, as needed.

• Ensures corrective actions are taken as necessary to ensure performance meets contract and standards.

• Coordinates vegetation activities with Power Plants, dispatch, local management, and other entities, as required.

• Discusses and negotiates line-clearance issues with customers, vendors, local government entities, and special interest groups.

• Acts as primary contact for contract crews on company property responsible for authorizing and communicating changes in work scope.

• Responsible for communicating the completion of work to necessary parties.

• Coordinates and monitors emergency work as required.

• Investigates claims and is responsible for resolution of complaints and negotiates positive solutions.

• Maintains a positive working relationship with all departments of the Company.

• Provides expert utility arborist knowledge as required.

• Reviews and approves contractor invoices to ensure proper billing and accounting.

• Performs audits on contractor work to ensure all work is complete, accurate, and meets OG&E specifications.

• Accurately maintains records of completed circuit clearing and other vegetation management work and keeps records up to date and ensure information can be readily accessed and used.

• Other duties as assigned.

About You 

Must haves: 

• 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 in a job involved with Utility Construction, Maintenance or Service Restoration to include all Utilities (i.e., Electric, Water, Phone, or Gas) with 3 years of experience in the field of Arboriculture. If you have a Bachelor's Degree, you must have 3 years of work experience in the field of Arboriculture. Must be 21 years of age or older. Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. 

Nice to haves:

• 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 d