Senior Utility Forester: Field ROW Vegetation Expert

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

Job summary

American Electric Power seeks a Utility Forester Analyst/Associate to apply industry practices for corrective vegetation control on rights-of-way and to supervise contractors, ensuring access for repair and inspection while reducing service interruptions.

The role covers training, coordination with landowners, cost estimation, and contract compliance, with advancement through SG5-SG7 levels. Travel and overtime are required in support of the vegetation management program.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• After training, patrol lines and facilities to assess vegetative conditions and recommend utility vegetation operations, maintain records of work and make the necessary arrangements with landowners for vegetation management and access to facilities.
• Investigate and resolve landowner issues and concerns.
• With assistance, estimate vegetation management requirements and costs for construction and rebuilding of new and existing facilities.
• With assistance, determine future utility vegetation management requirements and recommend short and long-term vegetation management work plans and best management practices.
• Contact governmental agencies, other utilities, landowners and others to arrange and coordinate right-of-way vegetation management work plans required.
• Inspect vegetation management and work planning contractors for contract compliance, recommending acceptance or corrective action.
• With assistance, recommend work plans, priorities, schedules and contractor requirements in accordance with the vegetation management program.
• Apply and keep informed of current contract provisions.
• Maintain records and prepare reports on costs, production and work quality. Operate the forestry computer programs and records systems.
• Guide and train others involved with the vegetation management program in proper work practices and utility vegetation management procedures.
• Must have the ability to communicate with employees, customers and the general public in a courteous and proper manner.

Skills

GIS software

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Forestry

Associate’s degree in related field

High school diploma

Tools

GIS software

Microsoft Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

Job description

American Electric Power seeks a Utility Forester Analyst/Associate to apply industry practices for corrective vegetation control on rights-of-way and to supervise contractors, ensuring access for repair and inspection while reducing service interruptions.

The role covers training, coordination with landowners, cost estimation, and contract compliance, with advancement through SG5-SG7 levels. Travel and overtime are required in support of the vegetation management program.