Consulting Utility Forester

ArborMetrics Solutions; Midlothian (VA); On-site; USD 27,552 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle with fuel card

Medical/Dental/Vision/VOYA/EAP

401K, Life Insurance, Vacation Accrual

Paid Holidays

Paid Sick Time

Weekly Pay Cycle

Training and industry certifications

Job summary

ArborMetrics is seeking a Consulting Utility Forester to join our field team in outdoor vegetation management projects. You will patrol energy corridors, assess vegetation, and determine pruning/removal strategies in line with client standards.

You will engage landowners, obtain permissions, and help implement sustainable vegetation practices. The role requires travel to sites, regulatory awareness, and strong communication with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or related discipline (education may be required depending on contract).
• Experience in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture or tree-related green industry preferred.
• Knowledge or practical experience in tree identification.
• Knowledge of common computer applications and ability to learn new programs.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Experience with GIS software/technology as well as Microsoft Suite and an iPhone.
• Must be able to work alone, outdoors in various weather conditions and terrain.
• Must have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, strong problem solving and multi-tasking abilities, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Patrol Preparation: organize records, maps, and paperwork for patrol circuits; maintain accurate documentation.
• Field Patrol Duties: safely patrol energy corridors, identify vegetation for pruning/removal/protection per Client standards.
• Classify prescribed work per field environment and tree condition; use of herbicide.
• Conduct Tree Risk Assessments and analyze growth rates.
• Mark vegetation and prescribe clearance actions according to Client directives and ANSI/ISA standards.
• Landowner & Stakeholder Engagement: identify property boundaries, communicate work plans, obtain permissions, provide professional customer service, foster community relations, suggest sustainable IVM strategies, audit contractor work, investigate outages, address issues.
• Coordination & Safety: coordinate non-routine work, report safety concerns, follow safety protocols, operate vehicles.
• Additional Responsibilities: storm/emergency response as needed.

Skills

GIS software

Microsoft Office

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Multi-tasking

Independent outdoor work

Education

Associate or bachelor’s degree in forestry/natural resources

Equivalent work experience

Tools

iPhone

Range finder

Job description

Requisition Number: 7353-OTHLOC-CYiDYfwB

Salary Range: USD $20.00 - USD $30.00 (Hourly)

We are currently looking to add a Consulting Utility Forester to our team! If you are an energetic professional who enjoys working outdoors, values the freedom of working independently, enjoys a fast-paced environment and the challenges of a rewarding profession, consider a career in vegetation management with ArborMetrics.

Some of the most important characteristics of an AMS Utility Forester are a desire to learn, an ability to adapt, and a commitment to engage in safe, constructive interactions with the public. You are accountable for advancing a culture of safety and excellence while providing quality and value to our customers and clients.

What we offer:

• Industry competitive pay.
• Company vehicle with a fuel card for work purposes.
• Day 1 of Employment: Medical/Dental/Vision/VOYA/Paid Holidays/EAP (Full-Time Employees).
• After 3 months: 401K, Life Insurance, Vacation Accrual, Short and Long-term Disability, Paid Maternity Leave.
• Paid Sick Time.
• Weekly Pay Cycle.
• Participation in Referral Bonus Program.
• Company sponsored Boot and clothing program (Full-Time Employees).
• Ongoing training and assistance with obtaining industry certifications.

What you will do:

Pre-Patrol Preparation

• Organize records, maps, and paperwork for patrol circuits; maintain accurate documentation.
• Review work sites for endangered species, sensitive habitats, and incompatible vegetation.

Field Patrol Duties

• Safely patrol energy corridors on foot, identifying vegetation for pruning, removal, or protection per Client standards.
• Classify prescribed work in accordance with field environment and tree condition, including use of herbicide.
• Conduct Tree Risk Assessments and analyze growth rates.
• Mark vegetation and prescribe clearance actions in line with Client directives and based on ISA pruning techniques and ANSI line clearance standards & principles.

Landowner & Stakeholder Engagement

• Use digital tools and maps to identify property boundaries and landowner rights.
• Communicate work plans to property owners, agencies, and organizations.
• Obtain permissions for vegetation work from private/public landowners and agencies.
• Provide professional customer service and foster positive community relations.
• Recommend sustainable vegetation management strategies using IVM principles.
• Audit contractor work for compliance with Client specifications.
• Investigate tree-related outages and document findings.
• Address customer service and internal compliance issues.

Coordination & Safety

• Coordinate non-routine work with stakeholders and contractors.
• Report safety concerns, incidents, and hazards immediately.
• Follow all safety protocols, including AMS Code of Safe Practices and wildfire prevention plans.
• Operate vehicles safely and travel to assigned work areas.

Additional Responsibilities

• Participate in storm and emergency response as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What you need to have:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in forestry, natural resources, or related discipline or equivalent work experience (education may be required dependent on client contract).
• Experience in forestry, arboriculture, horticulture or tree-related green industry preferred.
• Knowledge or practical experience in tree identification.
• Knowledge of common computer applications and ability to learn new programs.
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record.
• Experience with GIS software/technology as well as Microsoft Suite and an iPhone.
• Must be able to work alone, outdoors in various weather conditions and terrain.
• Must have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, strong problem solving and multi-tasking abilities, and show attention to detail.

What would be amazing to have:

• Certified ISA Arborist is a plus.
• Being bi-lingual (Spanish) is a plus.
• Utility line clearance or tree trimming experience.

Working Environment:

Work with a team and alone; primarily in an outdoor field environment and/or low light conditions; foot patrol of energy corridors in the vicinity of power lines and/or pipelines; remote locations as well as urban, city environment; physical demands and travel from site to site, including walking/hiking on various surfaces (flat, dry, wet, slippery, rocky, sandy, uneven, rough, unstable, steep terrain, hills and slopes, dense vegetation); exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, and all types of weather extremes; hazardous traffic conditions, domestic and wild animals, insects, and poisonous plants. Other working conditions may include vehicle or limited indoor office time.

Physical:

The employee must have sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a field environment; to walk up to 10 miles per day, stand, sit, and operate a motor vehicle for prolonged periods; to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, run, crawl, climb, reach, twist, grasp and make repetitive hand, arm and shoulder movements in the performance of daily duties (e.g., forcefully beat down brush); carry, push and/or pull light to heavy amounts of weight, frequently lift up to 10 lbs. and occasionally up to 60 lbs.; operate assigned equipment and vehicles; ability to verbally communicate; see and hear in normal range with or without correction; operate assigned field equipment, including handheld computer, range finder, fyrake, water backpack, shovel and traffic cone.

Company Overview:

ArborMetrics (AMS) is a leading provider of vegetation and asset management consulting services to the utility industry. Successful professionals at AMS have come from a variety of backgrounds, including forestry, arboriculture, natural resource management, biology, landscape maintenance, horticulture, nursery management, environmental sciences, geology, agriculture, parks & recreation management, urban forestry, geography, and more.

Applicants must pass a pre-employment drug test and a criminal background check. All candidates must possess a valid driver’s license and have a good driving record.

AMS is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. EOE/AA: Minority/Female/ Vets/ Disabled.