Forester II

Southern Company; Savannah (GA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Power is seeking a Forester to administer the integrated vegetation management plan for powerline rights-of-way within the Savannah, Springfield, and Statesboro regions. The role supports the Distribution Areas for Georgia Power in GA, with potential overnight travel.

Role requires resilience for emergency restorations, and relocation assistance may be available. Candidate must reside within reasonable commuting distance to the territory.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Forestry or related field required.
• ISA Certified Arborist certification required or obtainable.
• Herbicide application license required or obtainable.
• Experience with vegetation management in utility settings preferred.
• Knowledge of ANSI Z-133, A-300 standards preferred.
• Knowledge of NERC FAC-003-5 preferred.
• Contractor management experience desired.
• Knowledge of distribution and transmission utility electrical systems desirable.

Responsibilities

• Implement and manage an IVM plan across the assigned territory.
• Perform ongoing quality control inspections for compliance with contract specifications.
• Manage an annual IVM budget to complete the scheduled work plan.
• Manage contractor resource levels to complete funded work plan.
• Coordinate daily work-plans to ensure work is performed safely, productively, and on schedule.
• Establish and maintain relationships with federal, state, and local agencies related to vegetation management.
• Represent Georgia Power to organizations such as tree boards and professional groups.
• Effectively communicate vegetation maintenance objectives to internal and external customers.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory obligations including FAC-003-5.
• Work outside normal business hours to support emergency restoration.
• Perform emergency call-out response and storm restoration support as required.

Skills

Safety focused

Schedule adherence

Budgeting basics

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Independent work

Spanish (optional)

Emergency response

Species identification

Education

Bachelor of Science in Forestry or related field

ISA Certified Arborist

ISA Utility Specialist

Herbicide application license

ANSI Z-133 / A-300 knowledge

NERC FAC-003-5 knowledge

IVM / utility vegetation management experience

Contractor management experience

Tools

GIS / GPS applications

MS Word/Outlook/Access/Excel

Mobile applications

Job description

Job Summary

Forester

The position will administer the integrated vegetation management (IVM) plan for powerline rights of way and will support the Distribution Areas for Georgia Power Company’s service area. Some overnight travel may be required. The specific work territory will be Savannah, Springfield, and Statesboro Operating HQ’s. The successful candidate must reside within a reasonable commuting distance to the assigned territory.

Modified relocation assistance may be available for this position.

Job Duties

• Implementation and management of an integrated vegetation management (IVM) plan across the assigned territory

• Perform on-going quality control inspections of completed work as well as work in progress to ensure compliance with contract specifications

• Manage an annual IVM budget to complete the scheduled work plan

• Manage contractor resource levels to complete funded work plan

• Manage and coordinate the daily work-plans of multiple contractor resources to ensure work practices are performed safely, productively, and within schedule

• Establish and maintain relationships with various federal, state, municipal, and local government agencies and departments related to vegetation management.

• Represent Georgia Power to various organizations such as local tree boards, neighborhood associations, professional organizations, company or industry committees, etc.

• Effectively communicate vegetation maintenance objectives and practices to both internal and external customers

• Ensure all compliance and regulatory obligations are met

• Ensure compliance with requirements of FAC-003-5 always

• Work outside normal business hours in support of emergency restoration efforts is expected

Job Requirements

Education / Experience

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry or related field preferred

• Must possess, or obtain within industry guidelines, ISA Certified Arborist certification

• ISA Utility Specialist desired

• Must possess, or obtain within industry guidelines, appropriate herbicide application license

• Knowledge of distribution and transmission utility electrical systems desired

• Familiarity with ANSI Z-133, A-300 standards desired

• Knowledge of NERC Standard for vegetation management, FAC 003-5, preferred

• Utility integrated vegetation management experience desired

• Contractor management experience desired

Competencies

• Demonstrate commitment to personal safety and the safety of your team

• Must be able to meet schedules and critical deadlines

• Ability to learn basic business skills such as budgeting and finance

• Able to value and interact with people with different perspectives and backgrounds

• Effective communication and conflict resolution skills highly desired

• Must be self-motivated and demonstrate ability to work without direct supervision

• Ability to work with commonly used applications including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Access and Excel. Also, experience with mobile applications and GIS / GPS applications is a plus.

• Ability to communicate in English and Spanish is a plus

• Early start and extended work hours will be routine.

• Ability to perform emergency call-out response and storm restoration support is required

• State Registered Forester license is preferred

• Must be able to identify the species of local vegetation and their growth characteristics

Behavioral Attributes

• Safety focused

• Demonstrate Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance daily

• Possesses a questioning attitude

• Function independently while serving the needs of your team

This position has been identified as a role that will require the use of a Georgia Power fleet vehicle. The following will be required if you are selected for this position:

• Must have at least one year of verifiable driving experience (Must hold a valid driver’s license for the class vehicle to be operated. Driving permits are not typically considered a valid driver’s license).

• Must have no revocation of driving privileges within the 36 months prior to application, no convictions of major traffic violations (DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, etc.) within the 12 months prior to application, or any pending charges for a major traffic violation at the time of application.

  Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the Company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the Company is recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeogiaPower.com and connect with the Company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

• Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 21626

Job Category: Environmental & Forestry

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Georgia Power