Utility Arborist​/Planner

Overview

Work Planner / Utility Arborist

Who you are:
You’re energetic and enjoy working outdoors. You understand that this space can be demanding, and you make sure you have the tools and resources to get the job done.

• Under direction, patrol and inspect electric utility rights-of-way and identify vegetation requiring maintenance to meet applicable specifications and guidelines.
• Under direction, locate property owners and inform them of work to be performed.
• Mark vegetation in field to identify necessary work and record this work on applicable forms, documents, maps, or in other data collection systems and prepare work documents.
• Under direction, communicate work to be performed to the vegetation contractors.
• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Higher-tier level Work Planners will be expected to perform additional duties that could include:

• Assist in assembling maps, notification forms, etc. into job packets for vegetation contractors.
• Assist in preparing legally required notification to public agencies, newspapers, etc.
• Assist in auditing work to ensure completion according to plans.
• Investigate customer inquiries, complaints and refusals related to planning of work, and resolve within scope of responsibility or report findings to utility contact.
• Assist with storm restoration or other emergency situations as directed by AEP.
• Assist in mentoring Work Planner C personnel.
• Assume other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
• Assist in oversight and mentoring of other Work Planners.
• Provide support and assistance on special projects as assigned by the utility.

Associate’s degree in forestry, Horticulture, or a related field or equivalent education and/or experience.

• Good verbal, written communications, and computer skills.
• Positive attitude/neat professional appearance.
• Able to work outside in a safe, productive manner in all weather conditions.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely and efficiently with supervision.
• Ability to travel and stay overnight.
• Self-motivated and efficient.
• Work effectively and professionally with people.

• Basic knowledge of tree species and growth characteristics in assigned work area.
• Basic understanding of electrical facilities, hardware, and associated line/circuit maps.
• Basic understanding of utility vegetation management practices and components and ability to communicate such to property owners.
• Work effectively and professionally with people (utility, contractors, customers, etc.).
• Demonstrate initiative and proactively look for ways to perform work in the most effective manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work safely and efficiently with minimal supervision.

• Valid Driver’s License
• Completion of an approved customer experience course preferred.
• Possession of appropriate pesticide use certifications/licensing as required in the work jurisdiction required for higher tier level.
• Must be actively pursuing ISA arborist certification to reach highest tier levels.

Please include your city of residence on your resume.

The physical demands, conditions, work environment characteristics described here must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Employee must be able to maintain attention and concentration for extended periods of time.
• Work alone in an outdoor field environment; vehicle and foot patrol of utility power lines; remote locations as well as urban, city environment; physical demands and travel from site to site, including walking/hiking on various surfaces including flat, dry, wet, slippery, uneven, rough, steep terrain, hills, and slopes; exposure to noise, dust, grease, and all types of weather and temperature conditions;
  
  exposure to hazardous traffic conditions.

Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment:

• walk, stand, sit, and operate a motor vehicle for prolonged periods of time;
• frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, run, crawl, climb, reach, twist,…