ROW Vegetation Specialist | Transmission Forester Associate

American Electric Power; McAlester (OK); On-site; USD 54,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

American Electric Power is seeking a Transmission Forester Associate to assign and recommend management practices for vegetation control in utility rights-of-way, ensuring contract compliance and access for repairs. The role involves inspections, aerial patrols, and coordination with landowners and contractors to maintain service reliability.

The position supports FAC-003 compliance, oversees vegetation clearing for capital projects, and may involve travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in forestry, Urban Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Arboriculture, or a related field and two (2) years of experience as a contract utility forester desired, OR
• Associate's degree in one of the same fields and four (4) years’ experience in utility vegetation management industry, OR;
• High school diploma and six (6) years as a contract forester or other related positions in the utility industry.

Responsibilities

• Ground patrol lines and facilities after training to assess vegetative conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations.
• Perform aerial patrol on FAC-003 compliance lines and coordinate response for imminent threats.
• Investigate and resolve landowner issues; document areas where vegetation management plans are constrained.
• Estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of facilities.
• Determine future vegetation management requirements and propose short and long-term plans.

Skills

Diplomacy

Public engagement

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in forestry or related field

Associate's degree in related field

Tools

GIS

Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Job description

American Electric Power is seeking a Transmission Forester Associate to assign and recommend management practices for vegetation control in utility rights-of-way, ensuring contract compliance and access for repairs. The role involves inspections, aerial patrols, and coordination with landowners and contractors to maintain service reliability.

The position supports FAC-003 compliance, oversees vegetation clearing for capital projects, and may involve travel.