Transmission Utility Forester | Albany, NY

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 Transmission Utility Forester reports to the Operations Manager at ACRT Inc. This position will play a key role in identifying, inspecting, and evaluating trees and brush along utility lines and submitting inspection results to clients with recommendations. This position requires a love of working outside, excellent attention to detail, and exceptional interpersonal communications skills.

What You’ll Do

Vegetation Inspecting & Management

- Identify and inspect local trees with an understanding of growth rates

- Map circuits using client continuity lists

- Patrol and investigate distribution and/or transmission circuits and prescribed work to be performed by client tree trimming contractors

- Enter tree trimming/tree and brush removal recommendations into hand-held computer or other similar systems, and use computers and associated software to perform duties

- Notify property owners of tree trimming/tree and brush removal work to be performed relating to client specifications

- Manage the issuance of work and track work progress

- Perform outage investigations, when necessary

- Discusses and negotiate line-clearance crew access issues

Tree Trimming Assessments

- Audit tree trimming and tree removal work completed by the tree trimming contractor in the field to ensure compliance with work request forms and approved tree trimming

- Complete post audit forms indicating adequacy of the tree trimming and tree removal work, and forward the completed forms to the vegetation management program manager or coordinator

Maintain State, Local, & Organizational Compliance

- Comply with all regulatory requirements and client vegetation management standards

- As requested by the Manager, perform all necessary duties for emergency response in accordance with all safety requirements, law and regulations, and applicable labor agreements

- Conduct work in a safety-conscious manner as not to endanger yourself or others

- Wear safety-related equipment such as hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses, etc

- Know and exemplify ACRT’s Guiding Principles

Positively Build Upon New & Existing Relationships

- Serve as a liaison between clients, tree crews, and client customers

- Display optimism about the work to be done and demonstrate a positive attitude towards customers, peers, and the company

- Maintain working relationships with local client personnel as well as all relevant federal, state and local governmental agencies

- May be required to participate in public presentations and meetings

Other duties as assigned.

About You

Must haves:

- Education: High School Diploma or GED required; may substitute 5 years of experience in lieu of a High School Diploma or GED

- Experience: 1 year of experience in transmission electric utility line-clearance or transmission utility work planning. Must be 21 years of age or older. Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record

Nice to haves:

- Education: Associates Degree in Natural Science, Forestry or Geographic Information Systems (GIS) or an ISA Certified Arborist

- Experience: 2 years of experience in electric utility line-clearance or utility work planning

- ISA Arborist certification or able to get within 6 months

Your Skills:

- Proficiency in job-specific software systems (e.g., GPS and GIS based systems) and basic computer/technology skills

- Proficiency with Microsoft Office [Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook] or similar software suite

- Ability to identify local trees and knowledge of growth rates

- Ability to identify hazard trees

- Ability to work solo in remote conditions, rugged terrain and inclement weather

- Ability to read and follow digital maps

- Ability to drive and operate a 4x4 vehicle

- Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task and work independently as well as a team

- Excellent communication skills, comfortable interacting with senior management, customers, and clients

- Demonstrated critical thinking skills and ability to exercise good judgement to make good business decisions

- Knowledge of electric utility facilities and hardware

- Proficiency with using a laser rangefinder

- Willingness to travel throughout eastern Oregon and southern Idaho

This role would not be a good fit if you:

- Do not enjoy working independently or working outdoors

- Are not comfortable driving a pickup truck or 4x4 off-road vehicle

- Do not have the ability to calmly communicate with customer conflicts

- Are not willing to work after regular hours (e.g., Saturdays)

Drug Testing:

Drug testing is required

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 when traveling overnight (allowances)

- Boot allowance

- Certification reimbursement program

- Scheduling flexibility at the discretion of Manager or Utility

Where We Work

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

Salary Range Disclaimer

The base salary range represents the low and high end of the ACRT Inc salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary depending on factors including but not limited to customer contact terms, location, experience, and performance. Other rewards may include Paid Time Off, 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, ESOP contributions, medical, dental, and vision insurance, and other region-specific benefits as eligible.

Salary Range Transparency

For applicants residing in New York, the salary range for this role is from $25.50 min to $39 max.

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)