Consulting Utility Forester - Norfolk, VA

Job Description

Job Description

The Consulting Utility Forester inspects and assesses vegetation along electric utility corridors and rights-of-way and develops maintenance recommendations that support utility reliability, public safety, and environmental stewardship.

Supervisory Responsibilities: 

·       This role has no direct reports.

Essential Functions: 

·       Conduct vegetation inspections and assessments along electric transmission and distribution corridors, utility rights-of-way, and associated infrastructure.

·       Identify hazardous trees, incompatible vegetation, clearance concerns, and conditions affecting utility reliability or public safety.

·       Evaluate tree species, growth characteristics, structural conditions, and vegetation-related infrastructure risks.

·       Develop recommendations for trimming, removal, treatment, and ongoing maintenance, and support vegetation-management planning and prioritization using utility specifications, operational needs, and identified risks.

·       Document field observations, vegetation conditions, and recommended corrective actions.

·       Support post-storm vegetation assessments and utility damage evaluations when assigned.

·       Evaluate vegetation conditions within utility rights-of-way and surrounding properties, including environmental constraints, sensitive habitats, access limitations, and other field conditions affecting vegetation-management activities.

·       Assist with vegetation inventories, tree assessments, and natural-resource documentation, and communicate environmental considerations to project leadership.

·       Help ensure work complies with utility specifications, environmental requirements, applicable vegetation-management standards, and industry standards.

·       Use GPS equipment, GIS mapping platforms, tablets, and mobile field-data applications to record tree locations, vegetation conditions, coordinates, photographs, and recommended work activities accurately.

·       Review utility maps, aerial imagery, and spatial data to identify assigned inspection areas, and maintain complete and accurate electronic field records and project documentation.

·       Support vegetation-management reports, work plans, and infrastructure-assessment documentation, and communicate findings and recommendations to project managers and utility representatives.

·       Coordinate with utility representatives, vegetation-management contractors, field supervisors, and project managers regarding recommended activities, field conditions, access restrictions, and operational challenges.

·       Assist with planning, scheduling, contractor coordination, quality assurance, and work-quality reporting.

·       Maintain professional relationships with utility clients, contractors, property owners, and community stakeholders; explain recommendations and utility requirements clearly; and document property-owner communications and elevate unresolved concerns appropriately.

·       Follow company safety policies, utility-client requirements, and applicable OSHA standards, and maintain required clearances from energized electrical equipment.

·       Recognize hazards involving energized electrical infrastructure, falling trees, roadside operations, equipment, and challenging terrain; use assigned PPE and field safety equipment correctly; and report unsafe conditions or work practices.

·       Participate in safety meetings, job-hazard assessments, and required training.

Competencies:

·       Safety: Identifies, prevents, and responds to hazards effectively. Recognizes potential dangers and is mindful of surroundings and workplace conditions to prevent accidents. Maintains vigilance and ensuring adherence to safety protocols in daily operations.

·       Attention to Detail: Taking responsibility for a thorough and detailed method of working.

·       Technical Expertise and Usage: Acquiring and applying technical and functional knowledge in a technological area of specialty.

·       Data gathering and analysis: Collecting, consolidating, and using relevant information; recognizing important information; tracing possible causes of problems, and searching for practical data/solutions.

·       Communication: Effectively convey and receive information both orally and written. Express thoughts clearly. Engages with others attentively. Navigates discussion, providing constructive feedback, and handles disagreements diplomatically.

·       Customer focus: Knowing the (internal and external) customer business needs and acting accordingly; anticipating customer needs, and giving high priority to customer satisfaction and customer service.

Work Environment:

·       Field-based and on-site; work is performed outdoors along utility corridors, roadsides, and rights-of-way in heat, cold, rain, snow, and other seasonal conditions.

·       Includes operating company vehicles, including four-wheel-drive vehicles, on varying terrain.

Travel Requirements:

·       Up to 25% travel throughout the assigned service territory (Pennsylvania); extended schedules or emergency vegetation assessments may be required when operationally necessary.

Required education and experience:

·       High school diploma or GED.

·       Interest in utility vegetation management, forestry, arboriculture, environmental science, or natural-resource management.

·       Ability to identify, or willingness to learn, regional tree species and vegetation-growth characteristics.

·       Ability to read maps, interpret geographic information, and navigate using GPS technology.

·       Strong attention to detail and accurate field documentation skills.

·       Basic proficiency with computers, tablets, mobile applications, and electronic data entry.

·       Effective written and verbal communication, organization, problem-solving, and independent-work skills.

·       Valid driver’s license, ability to meet company motor-vehicle safety requirements, and ability to operate company vehicles, including four-wheel-drive vehicles, on varying terrain.

·       Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather and terrain and to travel regionally as required.

Preferred education and experience:

·       Associate or bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Urban Forestry, Horticulture, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a related discipline.

·       Experience in utility vegetation management, forestry, arboriculture, tree care, utility right-of-way operations, field inspections, or natural-resource assessments.

·       ISA Certified Arborist and/or ISA Utility Specialist credential.

·       Familiarity with electric transmission and distribution infrastructure, ANSI A300 standards, and utility vegetation-management practices.

·       Experience identifying hazardous trees and evaluating vegetation-related infrastructure risks.

·       Familiarity with ArcGIS or comparable GIS applications.

·       Experience coordinating activities with utility clients, contractors, or property owners.

·       Knowledge of Pennsylvania tree species and regional vegetation conditions.

This position requires employees to be able to pass a background check and drug screen as required for this job.

Work authorization requirements:

Must meet I-9 requirements. This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Affirmative Action/EEO statement: XKIG provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, obligations, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

XKIG is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws, including the ADA. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our Talent Acquisition team at View phone number on ziprecruiter.com or View phone number on ziprecruiter.com.

Benefits Offered:

This is a full-time position that offers health insurance benefits for medical, vision, and dental, as well as the option for enrollment in a 401K.

Additional Compensation:

Depending on the position and applicable eligibility requirements, additional compensation may include overtime, premium pay, or other forms of compensation as applicable. Unless otherwise stated in this posting, this position is not eligible for bonus, commission, or equity-based compensation.

Paid Time Off (PTO)
Eligibility and accrual timelines vary by position with some roles gaining PTO immediately and others becoming eligible after a set period of employment. Details are provided during the hiring process and may vary for Union hires.

AI Usage Disclaimer:

As part of our commitment to efficiency and innovation, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools during the recruiting and onboarding processes. These tools assist with tasks such as resume screening, interview scheduling, and communication. All decisions regarding hiring and employment are ultimately made by our human team. If you have questions or concerns about this process, please contact our HR department.