Consulting Utility Forester

ACRT, Inc.

Company Description 

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. 

Role Description 

The Consulting Utility Forester (CUF) 1 reports to the Senior Consulting Utility Forester 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 plans, directs, and coordinates the activities of assigned tree clearance crews. This position requires a love of working outside, excellent attention to detail, and exceptional interpersonal communications skills. 

Pay: $20 to 25 an hour, based on experience

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

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 prescription into hand-held computer or other similar systems, and uses 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 
• Perform herbicide audits  
• Assist with storm restoration efforts  

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 
• Determine when the next tree trimming is required 
• 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 

• Obtain permits from public agencies and documents work 
• Comply with all regulatory requirements and client vegetation management standards 
• As requested by the Senior CUF or Manager, perform all necessary duties for emergency response in accordance with all safety requirements, law and regulations, and applicable labor agreements 
• Adhere to all attendance and work hour requirements 
• Conduct work in a safety-conscious manner as not to endanger themselves 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. 

Requirements 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Education: Associates Degree in Forestry or Horticulture

Or

• Experience: Two years of related utility experience. Must be 21 years of age or older. Must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Forestry or Horticulture 
• Experience: One year of experience on utility systems.
• ISA Certification and Pesticide Applicator’s License is a plus.  

Your Skills: 

• Ability to learn and use company or job-specific software systems 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office [Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook] or similar software suite 
• Ability to identify local trees and knowledge of growth rates 
• Ability to work in rugged terrain and inclement weather 
• Ability to read and follow maps 
• Ability to drive and operate a 4×4 vehicle 
• Self-starter with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task, and work independently and 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 vegetation management and herbicide use is a plus 
• Knowledge of electric utility facilities and hardware is a plus 

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 4×4 off-road vehicle 
• You do not have the ability to calmly communicate with customer conflicts 

Employee Training 

• Employee will need to obtain an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certification as an Arborist within twelve (12) months upon being assigned as a CUF 
• All employees are required to take an online safe driver course and safety training.  

Drug/Alcohol Testing:  

• Drug/alcohol testing is required  

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 [email protected] 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)