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 duties such as a Lineman, Sales Professional, Geographic Information System (GIS) Professional, Arborist, or in Land Management.

Your Skills:

- Working knowledge of IVM (Integrated Vegetation Management) and the proper application of IVM techniques.

- Strong knowledge of arboriculture, horticulture, or vegetation management.

- Ability to link the impact of arboriculture, horticulture, or vegetation management to the efficient and safe operation of an electric utility.

- Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.

- Ability to read/create maps and utilize GIS based applications.

- Strong ability to work in partnership with other members.

- Ability to communicate effectively in speech and writing.

- Ability to interact effectively and professionally with team members, leaders, customers, and communities.

- Ability to troubleshoot, diagnosis problems, and resolve effectively.

- Ability to work with minimal supervision.

- Ability to understand and comply with company policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs and SSOPs).

- Demonstrated ability to adjust and adapt across varied working conditions.

- Strong Organizational Skills and an ability to adapt to rapidly changing priorities.

Working Conditions:

- Required to maintain permanent residence within thirty (30) minute commute of operational location where the position is based.

- May require occasional overnight stays for routine work and extended stays of 3-7 days for emergency storm restoration.

- May be required to work non-standard work schedules to include on-call weekends, and holidays.

- Exposed to extreme conditions and inclement weather.

- Required to operate motor vehicle safely in all traffic, weather and light conditions.

- May be required to work under hazardous conditions.

Drug/Alcohol Testing:

- Drug/alcohol testing is required

- This position is a classified as a Safety-Sensitive Job under state law. Individuals in this position are subject to the terms and conditions set forth in OGE Energy Corp.'s Drug Testing Plan.

Where We Work

- Employees will take their company provided vehicle to where they need to report for the day. They will generally not need to report to an office.

Benefits

Health and Safety:

- Group health plans including medical/prescription, dental, vision and a variety of other coverage options offered

- Company paid group life insurance, accidental death & dismemberment insurance, short and long term disability

- Flexible Spending Accounts or an option for a Health Savings Account with company match

- Company paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for all employees and eligible family members

Retirement:

- Automatic enrollment in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) at no cost

- Roth or Traditional 401(k) Retirement plan with company match

Time Off:

- Paid Vacation

- Paid Holidays

- Veterans Day paid time off for our veterans

Perks:

- Company vehicle and gas card

- Meal and travel per diems (allowances)

- Boot allowance

- Certification reimbursement program

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at hr@acrtinc.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.

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 60-1.35(c)

Company: ACRT, Inc.