International Society of Arboriculture
Location
Austin, TX | United States
Job description
Job Detail
Utility Forester
Location: Austin, TX
Salary:
Division NameElectric System - Field Ops
Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:
- Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Forestry or in a field related to the job. Four (4) years related experience, two (2) years of which were in a lead capacity
Licenses or Certifications:
• Valid Texas Class C Drivers License. Ability to produce and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Current certification from International Society of Arboriculture
• Licensed by the Texas Department of Agriculture for pesticide application or ability to acquire license within 180 days of employment
Notes to Applicants
Position Description:
The Utility Forester requires extensive and direct knowledge of energized line clearance/utility vegetation management, and is responsible for assisting in the development and management of the Austin Energy’s Vegetation Management Program. Some of the responsibilities that will be required include: learning new programs and policies, training both internal and contracted staff on these new programs and policies; participating in audits; communicating with customers and providing exceptional customer service; responding to trouble call situations and weather events during and after normal work hours; and promoting safety as well as a positive work environment.
Employment Application:
- The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
- The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held. Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
- Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
- Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.
If you are selected as a top candidate:
- Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
- If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
- This position requires a criminal background investigation.
Driving Requirement:
This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. Ability to produce and maintain an acceptable driving record. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE)requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
Work Schedule:
- This position is categorized as Essential Personnel with the City of Austin. Essential staff are required to work during emergencies or bad weather if they are scheduled to work and, in some cases, when they are not scheduled. Essential employees ensure the continuance of key operations for the City of Austin.
- Work hours may include after hours, holidays, and weekends.
- Shifts may change according to departmental needs.
- Employee may be required to work additional hours outside of regular work schedule.
- This position is considered FLSA Exempt. Exempt employees are salaried and, except as provided, are not eligible for overtime compensation.
Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HEREfor more information.
Pay Range
Commensurate
Hours
Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
This position is considered an Essential position. Please see Notes to Applicants below for more information on Essential Personnel requirements.
Job Close Date02/09/2024
Type of PostingExternal
DepartmentAustin Energy
Regular/TemporaryRegular
Grant Funded or Pooled PositionNot Applicable
CategoryProfessional
Location2500 Montopolis Dr, Austin, TX 78741
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Transmission and Distribution energized Line Clearance maintenance programs
- Customer Service experience with problem solving and resolutions with Transmission and Distribution energized Line Clearance maintenance for a diverse set of stakeholders (City Council, environmental, neighborhood groups and utility customers
- Experience planning, monitoring and approving Utiility Vegetation Management work performed and completed by contracted Transmission and Distribution energized Line Clearance Crews
- Experience working with Transmission and Distribution energized Line Clearance program staff members from a governing electric utility company or consulting arborists within Transmission and Distribution energized Line Clearance programs
- Experience working with Maximo
- Experience working in a Quality Management System and with ISO audits
- Experience with NERC audits
- Experience working with Incident Command and having all the required NIMS-IS training
- Experience with records management
Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
- Develops approved vegetation policies. Develops, implements, and monitors Utility Forestry Business Plan.
- Conducts cost benefit analysis for vegetation management programs.
- Manages an environmentally safe Integrated Pest Management Program that complies with all governmental regulations.
- Develops and implement performance measures for forestry contractors. Negotiates with contractors regarding changes in established Austin Energy Contracts.
- Communicates Austin Energy’s Utility Forestry Programs and Procedures to internal and external customers.
- Promotes confidence and public trust through communications and actions.
- Monitors project budget and track expenditures and alert supervision to any deviations from the approved cost projections.
- Monitors compliance with City Council, Electric Utility Commission, and management directives related to line clearance tree pruning.
- Develops and maintains a Utility Forestry Training Plan for Utility Forestry Section staff and representatives.
Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:
Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling and recommendation for dismissal.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.
- Skill in negotiation, mediation and conflict resolution.
- Ability to develop and manage a comprehensive vegetation management program.
- Ability to calculate resources required to perform vegetation management program.
- Knowledge of Austin Energy’s pruning specifications, Dr. Alex Shigo’s principles, Austin Energy’s General Permit requirements and the City of Austin’s environmental codes.
- Basic knowledge of electrical facilities operation.
- Basic knowledge and identification of flora and fauna indigenous to the area.
Criminal Background InvestigationThis position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation.
EEO/ADA
The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.
The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS, AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
To apply directly, please visit the following website.
https://www.austincityjobs.org/postings/116688
Employer Info
2500 Montopolis Dr.
Austin, Texas 78741
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