Consulting Utility Forester | Baton Rouge, LA

at  ACRT Inc

PLEASE APPLY AT: HTTPS://ACRT.WD1.MYWORKDAYJOBS.COM/EN-US/ACRTCAREERS/JOB/CONSULTING-UTILITY-FORESTER-BATON-ROUGE-LAR6972

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.
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, Horticulture or related field
• 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, Horticulture or related field
• Experience: ISA Certification and TDA Pesticide Applicator’s License is a plus.

Desired 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 4x4 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 4x4 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 thirty (30) 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

Office

• 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.

Works with Outside Company:

• Customers and vendors as necessary

Working Conditions:

• Outdoor Environments and Remote with Company Vehicle

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• None

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time
• Repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Light work that includes moving objects up to 25 lbs
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand
• Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer)
• Occasional standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching
• Must be able to wear personal protective gear most of the day

Travel Requirements:

• % of travel time: 95%
• This position is classified as exempt based on the job duties. However, based on the FTE, salary level of the employee, or federal/state/local laws, the employee may be classified as non-exempt.

**The company reserves the right to make changes to the reporting structure for this position due to business needs.
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)

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
• You do not have the ability to calmly communicate with customer conflict