Utility Forester

Salary Range The advertised hiring range will be $83,040 - $103,800, with a maximum opportunity of up to $124,560 with tenure and strong performance. Introductory Period: New employees holding regular positions must complete an introductory period of twelve months. Benefits In addition to competitive wages Chelan PUD employees also enjoy outstanding benefits which include zero cost employer funded medical, dental, and vision healthcare benefits, access to the employee assistance program, and a VEBA health reimbursement account. Washington state retirement PERS participation and optional 457 plan participation with an employer matching 401(a) plan. Leave, life & disability benefits including paid leave starting at 21 days per calendar year up to 35 with tenure, 12 paid holidays per calendar year, paid jury duty, short‑term disability & long‑term disability, and basic life, AD+D, and optional voluntary life. The work life benefits include optional flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care, educational assistance, various rewards and recognition programs and position specific stipends. For more explanation of the district benefits please visit our benefits website. Utility Forester 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. Maintain regular and predictable attendance: Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. Comply with District policies. Complete all required training. Maintain a working knowledge and comply with District safety procedures and specific safety requirements of this position, and those in accordance with applicable provisions of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Administrative Code (WAC). As an essential function, drive a motorized vehicle while conducting business on behalf of the District. Reports To Manager - Utility Vegetation Overtime Exemption Exempt Qualifications 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. Utility specialist certificate from International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) upon hire is preferred. Skills and Abilities A fully skilled incumbent will have the following knowledge, skills & 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 the 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 organization and problem‑solving skills Requires critical thinking skills. Requires good public relations, negotiation and interpersonal communication abilities. Ability to recognize danger trees Ability to recognize electrical hazards Requires ability to develop effective working relationships with contractors, customers and fellow employees 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 Requires the ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern to determine the best outcome 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. Physical Demands Sitting Frequent 34-66% Standing Regularly 67-100% Walking Frequent 34-66% Running Seldom 0-10% Jumping Seldom 0-10% Confined Spaces requiring laying down Seldom 0-10% Lifting 1-10 lbs Floor‑Waist: Hand/Power tools, small parts/equipment Seldom 0-10% Lifting 1-10 lbs Waist‑Shoulders: Same Seldom 0-10% Lifting 1-10 lbs Above Shoulders: Same Seldom 0-10% Lifting 11-25 lbs Floor‑Waist: Various tools, equipment, parts Seldom 0-10% Lifting 11-25 lbs Waist‑Shoulders: Same Seldom 0-10% Lifting 11-25 lbs Above Shoulders: Same Seldom 0-10% Lifting 25-75 lbs Floor‑Waist: Frequent up to 50 lbs and occasionally Up to 75 lbs Seldom 0-10% Lifting 25-75 lbs Waist‑Shoulders: Same Seldom 0-10% Lifting 25-75 lbs Above Shoulders: Up to 30 lbs Seldom 0-10% Lifting 75+ lbs Up to 85 lbs Rare and employer requires two person lifts or use of lifting devices Seldom 0-10% Pushing/Pulling Distance/Surface Seldom 0-10% Perform Work on Ladders Seldom 0-10% Balancing/Climbing (ladders, equip., etc) Seldom 0-10% Working at Heights (Over 5 Feet) Seldom 0-10% Climb Stairs Occasional 11-33% Twist/Flex/Extend - Neck area Seldom 0-10% Twisting at Waist Seldom 0-10%Stooping/Bending Seldom 0-10% Squatting/Kneeling Seldom 0-10% Crawling Seldom 0-10% Reach Floor to Waist Seldom 0-10% Reach Waist to Shoulder Seldom 0-10% Reach Above Shoulder Seldom 0-10% Wrist/hand/fingers manipulation (keyboarding, manual tool usage, etc.) Seldom 0-10% Handle/Grasp Seldom 0-10% Forceful Grasp Seldom 0-10% Hand Controls (joy stick, controls on equipment, etc.) Seldom 0-10% Foot Controls Seldom 0-10% Repetitive Motions Seldom 0-10% Vibratory Task - Low (drills, jackhammer, sanders, ...) Seldom 0-10% Vibratory Tasks - High (drills, jackhammer, sanders, ...) Seldom 0-10% Talking Regularly 67-100% Hearing Regularly 67-100% Visual - Near Acuity Regularly 67-100% Visual - Far Acuity Regularly 67-100% Visual - Depth Perception Regularly 67-100% Visual - Color Discrimination Regularly 67-100% Feeling Occasional 11-33% Working Around Moving Equipment/Parts Seldom 0-10% Electrical Shock Hazard Seldom 0-10% Working Conditions Exposure to Weather - Regularly Extreme Cold - Regularly Extreme Heat - Regularly Wet and/or Humidity - Regularly Atmospheric Conditions (dust, fumes, etc.) - Frequently Noise Intensity Level: Moderate District Values Trust - We act with integrity, empathy, competence, and transparency, earning the confidence and respect of each other and the public we serve. Safety - We protect what matters most through the choices we make. Stewardship - We responsibly manage and thoughtfully oversee all resources entrusted to us for the benefit of future generations. Collaboration - We transform our deep expertise from individual advantage into shared power - partnering across teams to maximize our impact and secure our future. Courage - We boldly step into the unknown to do what matters, seeking opportunities to grow and lead. Equal Opportunity/ADA 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. The job functions and physical requirements described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60‑I.35(c) #J-18808-Ljbffr