Forester

PPL Electric Utilities Corp.; Hazleton (Luzerne County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PPL Electric Utilities Corp. is seeking an experienced Forester/Regional Vegetation Foreman to supervise the vegetation management program in the Central region.

You will oversee safety, scope completion, and contractor performance while ensuring cost targets and reliability standards are met. The role requires guiding a team of inspectors and contractors, coordinating with customers and stakeholders, and applying best practices in vegetation control, hazard mitigation, and environmental

Qualifications

• Degree in forestry, agriculture, environmental science, or related field required.
• 5+ years in utilities, line clearance, maintenance, or construction.
• Valid PA driver's license with ability to obtain PA pesticide license within 6 months.
• Experience leading teams and managing budgets in a field setting.
• Strong customer relations and ability to communicate with the public.
• Familiarity with safety standards and labor agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead region vegetation management activities for transmission and distribution work.
• Supervise line clearance inspectors and contractors to meet safety and quality targets.
• Ensure compliance with specifications, policies, and federal reliability standards.
• Interface with customers and property owners to balance scope and satisfaction.
• Plan and oversee schedules, budgets, and regional performance metrics.
• Coordinate with environmental and safety requirements during vegetation work.
• Provide expert testimony or input as needed during litigation or inquiries.
• Respond to storms and emergencies as part of electric utility resilience.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget prioritization

Customer relations

Safety compliance

Communication skills

Time management

Problem solving

Education

A.A./B.S. Forestry/Environmental degree

Job description

Company Summary Statement

PPL Electric Utilities delivers safe, reliable and affordable electricity to more than 1.4 million homes and businesses throughout its 29-county service territory in eastern and central Pennsylvania. Through smart investments and innovation, it has built one of the most advanced electric grids in the United States. And, with over a century of expertise, PPL Electric remains focused on continuing to build the utility of the future, today. Regularly ranking among the country’s best utility companies for reliability and customer satisfaction, PPL Electric has won numerous awards, including 30 J.D. Power Awards for providing top-quality service to residential and business customers. PPL Electric is a major employer and an active supporter of the communities it serves. Empowering employees, community members and initiatives across its service territory through volunteerism and investments in organizations that support education, sustainability, and wellbeing.

Overview

This position supervises the field activities associated with the coordination and execution of the vegetation management program within a given region. These activities include employee and contractor safety oversight, work scope completion, cost efficiency attainment, reliability standards, and customer service interface, which includes frequent direct contact with the public as the lead vegetation personnel for the company; also, could include providing expert testimony on behalf of the company involving litigation. The Forester supervises bargaining unit employees involved in line clearance operations, which needs accurate interpretation of the labor agreement.

This position is responsible for PPL's Central region.

Responsibilities

• Lead and direct the activities of the region's vegetation management program for both transmission and distribution planned work, capital projects, and storm response.
• Provide supervision and direction for the safe and productive performance of a skilled workforce. This includes oversight of bargaining unit line clearance employees and vegetation management contractors to achieve performance objectives and meet safety requirements.
• Responsible to ensuring system wide work practices are being followed in accordance with all related specifications, policies, and procedures of the vegetation management program and PPL Electric Utilities. This also includes clearly understanding and implementation of work standards in accordance with federal reliability standards.
• Serve as PPL Electric Utilities lead personnel on all customer directed inquiries regarding vegetation management clearing work. This includes negotiating with property owners to balance customer satisfaction with scope completion.
• Supervise up to 6 line clearance inspectors and 150+ certified vegetation contractors responsible for the removal, trimming, mowing, herbicide treatment, customer notification and quality assurance of all vegetation management work within a given region.
• Research and analyze new methods and procedures for vegetation management including tools, equipment, crew types and herbicides.
• Acts as the vegetation management lead within a given region for all related environmental issues or concerns pertaining to clearing and treatment activities.
• Responsible for the execution of all vegetation management activities within a given region, which include meeting schedule timelines, achieving quality work scope completion while meeting cost targets.
• If applicable, in-person supervision of employees to ensure compliance with FLSA wage and hour issues as well as to monitor compliance with safety rules.
• The company reserves the right to determine if this position will be assigned to work on-site, remotely, or a combination of both. Assigned work location may change. In the case of remote work, physical presence in the office/on-site may be required to engage in face-to-face interaction and coordination of work among direct reports and co-workers.
• May be assigned an Electric Utilities emergency and storm role. This is a special assignment that comes into play during storms and other emergencies when the company needs to restore power or respond to other issues affecting customer service. This role may necessitate the need to work after-hours, outside of your normal schedule.
• All positions in which driving is an essential function of the job, regardless if the job code is marked safety sensitive or not, will also be included as safety sensitive.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards

Qualifications

• 1. A.A. - Forestry Science, Agricultural / Environmental degree, or B.S./B.A. degree
• 2. 5+ years in Utilities, Line Clearance, Maintenance, or Construction.
• 3. Demonstrated expertise/knowledge of energized and deenergized facilities, knowledge of training and clearances.
• 4. Demonstrated ability in prioritizing workload to maximize budget allotments, accounting, customer relations.
• 5. Demonstrated experience in leading teams and projects.
• 6. Currently possess or can obtain a PA pesticide license within 6 months of employment in this position.
• 7. Valid PA Driver's license

Preferred Qualifications

• Project management certification by a recognized organization such as the Project Management Institute.
• Familiarity with electric utilities equipment and processes.
• Customer interface experience.
• Strong written, oral, presentation and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated initiative and leadership Skills.
• Knowledge in supervising subordinates and dealing with difficult personalities. Dealing with outside contractors and their subordinates. Ability to speak in front of large groups.